#yandere kokushibo x child reader

[trancylovecraft]

(KNY) YANDERE PLATONIC! KOKUSHIBO x SISTER READER: You, Shibou. I, Kokoro (CHAPTER THIRTEEN)

Previous Chapter ☆♡☆ Masterlist ☆♡☆ Next Chapter

AO3 link

CHAPTER THIRTEEN: "You will not be more than a rat in the gutter"

Child abuse can come in many forms including Physical, Emotional, Psychological and Sexual. It happens to more than one in ten people according to local statistics.

The morning rays shone through the window, The disgusting mould building up on the glass making dots in the spotlight.

The room the light had hit was clustered and tossed over, All furniture either broken or tipped over onto the ground. Shattered vases and hives of insects were plentiful in nature, Thriving in the filth of the abandoned house.

It was horrid, Looking like no-one had dared to step foot into the derelict surroundings of the rotted structure. Walls near falling apart and doors barely clicking place into their doorframes.

Larvae gathered around on the decaying wood floor, All from the corpse laying atop it.

It had been there for days, Maggots already crawling in and out of the pores in her skin. She was old, Dying of old age. But that was perfect for the gathering flies and vermin starting to make their young out of the nutritious flesh of her decaying face.

Her figure was as gout as an English king, Her spindly grey hair was scattered across the floor and already falling out of her scalp. It was disgusting, The smell was like spoiled eggs and sulphur from the mould.

But it didn't bother the girl peaking out from the nook in the door that was slightly open, Her little face was shrouded in shadow with the only thing visible being the vivid colour of her eyes staring out at the corpse.

She could of only been about seven or eight, But she looked at the corpse like it was her everyday life, Like she was just observing people passing by on the streets.

Her overgrown hair was matted and tangled into that of a thorn bush, Dirt was displayed on her face and her eyes were wide and vigilant like a bird of prey. It wasn't fit on her and her skeletal complexion, A girl that looked so young.

Her brows lowered as she looked at the corpse, It wasn't of disgust or horror as it should've been but instead it was akin to annoyance or perhaps irritation. It was a mature face, One she should've never been able to make at her age.

The thin bony hands that lain on the other side of the door started to quiver. Even though there was a faint warmth in the air, Her body was still chilled to the bones from the ravenous hunger that laid inside her stomach.

She pushed her fingers forward, The door starting to close. [F/N] took one last look at the infestation gathering on the corpse before huffing.

The door shut softly with a click, Leaving nothing but dead silence to fill the room.

☆♡☆

[F/N] sat upon her futon, Head drooped down to look at her knees.

Her futon was small compared to [F/N]'s already tiny body. The sheets looked like they hadn't been measured to her size in years as it could barely fit over her tiny little feet and provide much needed warmth in the high altitude of the mountain.

The cold air from the atmosphere outside left a lasting chill within the air. The snow-capped peaks above were not too far from where her grand house sat within the rocky terrain, Nestled at the head of the village facing below.

It was lively to say the least. Men with heavy pickaxes slung over their shoulders were waltzing about streets, Most likely on their way to work. Women with baskets of shining ore headed in the other direction from the way, Ready to haul them to the exporting wagons.

Kids ran around the adults, Grinning as they chased each other throughout the plentiful streets and tall buildings lining them. They were having fun, [F/N] could tell from the loud muffled laughs coming from below.

The sunlight village, The place where the sun never went down and where the entire village was eternally basked within the grace of Amaterasu. The only place where scarlet iron ore was cultivated for the demon slayer corps.

For a small village it was a hotspot for both the mining and swordsmithing industry, Never having a quiet moment. It was also a place constructed by the Ubuyashiki family for the sole purpose of collecting and exporting the scarlet ore for the swordsmith village.

The grand house bigger than all the others sat atop a hill overlooking the rest of the village and the entire drop of the mountain miles below them. It was beautiful, Always clean and pristine as it was an example for the rest.

It was gorgeous, At least from the outside view that is.

Screaming erupted from somewhere deep within the house, [F/N] flinched at the high-pitched hollering coming from further within the rooms of the house. It was a constant back and forth of a man and a woman yelling at each other.

"YOU'RE DEFECTIVE! I SHOULD'VE PICKED A DIFFERENT FUCKING WIFE THAT COULD MAKE ME A RIGHTFUL HEIR!"

"I'M DEFECTIVE?! HAVE YOU EVER STOPPED TO THINK THAT MAYBE IT'S YOU THAT'S GOT SOMETHING WRONG WITH HIM?!. IT FUCKING FIGURES, YOU CAN NEVER GET IT UP!"

"YOU WHORE!"

Then the woman's screaming would turn into yells of pain and anger, The sound of a hand connecting with the skin of the face being the cause. Though despite the intensity and the structure-shaking yells that they made, It wasn't the sound of the adults that made [F/N] flinch.

Instead, It was the baby's.

It was horrifying, The shrill crying of a recently born child was mixing in with the roaring of the adults. It made [F/N] ball up and press her knees against her chest, Shutting her eyes and whispering to herself.

She sniffled, A futile attempt to wipe the oncoming tears off her face was made to no avail. [F/N] rocked back and forth, Whispering little confirmations to try and convince herself that it would be okay.

Though she was only a toddler, She was fully aware of what's happening.

Another one of her siblings failed the test, They hadn't been born with the proper hands. An annual occurrence with no deviation from it's result, Again and again she would hear the cries of a child from the other room and the adults screaming would kick up again.

Her family lineage had been blessed by the gods, That's what the villagers said anyways. Sometimes they even claimed that they were the descendants of gods far above them, Gifting them their power.

The Hands of Kagutsuchi, That's what they were called. Named after the kami of fire and the patron of blacksmiths. It was a bloodborne power that gave the blessing of being able to identify any material by the touch of a hand.

It could tell the density of the finest of threats, The way it was woven or the exact touch of the person it belonged to. It could even tell if a glass of sake was poisoned just from a simple graze of the liquid.

It was especially useful here due to the nature of scarlet iron ore, The mining village's sole export. Despite the assumption of the colour in the name, It was impossible to tell what was the scarlet ore or just regular iron.

It would usually take a few hours, Only being able to tell once it was cut into. However with The Hands of Kagutsuchi it would be able to be identified within a second, Saving countless resources and hours of work.

Though there was an is-

"DEFECTIVE.. ANOTHER DEFECTIVE BASTARD- CAN'T YOU DO ANYTHING RIGHT?!"

Sudden thumps of storming footsteps started to make their way down the halls of the house, Though what terrified [F/N] is that the cries of her baby sibling followed with it. Screaming wildly in distress. [F/N]'s breath hitched within her throat, Eyes going wide.

It was happening again, He was going to take another one-!

[F/N] wasted no time in stumbling to her feet and rushing over to the window on the far side of the room. Hopping up onto the soles of her feet, She was barely able to peer over and look out at the valley in front of her.

[F/N]'s eyes landed on the river, Almost second-nature to her by now.

It was the running water sourced from the top of the snow-caps, It was long and winding as it flowed throughout the entire village. It provided hydration and irrigation to the fields of crops growing on the outskirts.

It also had a private part flowing on the hill their house sat on, Separated from the rest of the village a good bit away. It was only a few metre's away, Giving [F/N] a place to run around in if she was lucky.

However [F/N] wasn't bothered by that as she heard the sound of a door being roughly slammed open.

It made her yelp, But her eyes never wavered as she watched the bulking figure of the man storm out into the field facing her house. Her eyes widened, Her vision focusing on what he held high above his head.

It was her baby sibling hung up by the raging grip of the man, They were screaming and wailing with their little face scrunched up in pain. They had only just been born, Still covered in the blood of their mother and freshly cut from the placenta.

Their little fingers were balled up, Their mouth open to let out their high-pitched wails of discomfort as they were hung upside down. They weren't even given the gift of clothing to warm their growing body.

The man marched onwards however, Ignoring the screams of the child as he stormed over to the place where [F/N] feared the most. Her mouth going dry at the sight.

The river.

He had reached the edge by now, [F/N] tried harder and harder to extend the soles of her feet to try and get a better look at what was happening. What was going to happen to her little sibling.

The man stood, Hanging his child like they were meat on a hook. Dangling over the river their cries only grew louder and louder, [F/N]'s breath only picked up once more as she looked on helplessly.

The river water ran cold, The rushing waves speeding down the slope of the mountain in waves. Rocks below it bashed into the water, Hard edges making the water sway and swim in different directions.

The man raised his child higher and higher, The screaming of the child becoming unbearable to [F/N] as her eyes landed on the object gripped tightly in his other hand.

She had been so focused, So attentive to the fate of the little boy that she had failed to notice what he was holding. But as he raised it higher and higher, Dangled his child further and further over the side of the river-

[F/N] knew what it was.

The cold blade of the knife was pressed against the little neck of her baby sibling, The sharp end barely grazing their throat. It was barely developed, Their chubby little cheeks covering what little neck they had.

The blade drew forward, Momentum starting to build.

[F/N] cried out from behind the wall, Hands slamming against the glass to try and stop this. Anything, To try and stop what was going to happen. Tears of her own starting to build up and burst down her face.

SILSH!

The shrill cries of the baby stopped.

[F/N]'s eyes widened.

Unable to pry her eyes off the sudden splash of red dripping down from across the field.

☆♡☆

The cold summer morning's air brushed over the high mountain, A cool breeze tickling at the skin and soaking into the bone.

The sun was still on the horizon, By normal time it would be the very break of dawn but for the sunlight village it stayed eternally light within the closed off confines of it's walls. The ferns flourished with the constant nourishment along with all the other wildlife accustomed to the bright atmosphere.

[F/N] slowly opened the wooden door, Careful to dim the noise of the creak it let out. As soon as she stepped out into the wide open plain of their estate she was hit with the cold spring breeze.

It made her shiver as her little legs hopped down the accompanying steps, Careful not to trip over on her own feet.

The timber-built bucket she had held under her arm was throwing off her balance by a bit, Making her stumble slightly in her step as she trotted over to the accompanying river. It was rushing as usual, Spurts of water foam bursting up and falling back into the stream.

[F/N] waddled onto the edge of the river, Peering over she looked once. Then back towards the house, Left to right before lowering down onto her knees and starting to scoop up the river water.

While the water was chilling it wasn't anything a small fire couldn't heat up, [F/N] learning the tricks of it from running her own baths for years. The few servants employed within her family weren't up at this time, Leaving [F/N] to her own devices.

However she preferred it that way, Not having to worry about interactions with the mean adults living in her house. Nor did she have to deal with the stuffy air flowing about in there, The crisp breeze of the outdoors being a highlight of her eternal day.

She had always felt more mature than the other kids in the village, Always like she was retaking a lesson she had done before. She didn't know why, But sometimes she could swear like she was an adult in a kids body.

Besides, With the upcoming birth of the next child it's been more and more hectic. The woman's pregnancy hitting nine months, The baby due to be born any day now and making both the man and the servants more stressed.

The yelling had gotten louder too, With the man promising and threatening the woman with something [F/N] couldn't make out.

The woman.

The woman was a sorrowful spindly figure, One with bony hands and a slim waist. She was beautiful but in a similar way that you would call a dark tragedy beautiful. Her fuzzy face always facing away from [F/N], Never letting her get a good look at her.

She never talked either, Not in person. Always such a silent and unreactive person whenever [F/N] had been around her, [F/N] only knowing her shrill voice from the screaming.

The man.

The man was a dark hulking figure, His limbs too big on his wide body and he heaved his arms like paperweights. He had horns, Tall winding talons and angry luminescent eyes that seemed to follow in a room.

But his appearance wasn't what sprung to mind when [F/N] thought of him, No. Instead it was his footsteps.

How heavy and thundering they were, How her ears had trained to pick them up from the furthest corner of her house. The way the floorboards decreased under his boot as well as the way she would wait on baited breath, Begging silently for them to pass by on her room.

He wasn't someone that [F/N] liked all that much, Despite the little contact she had with him. He had killed several of her siblings, Even [F/N]'s young mind recognising so.

The only reason she had survived is because she had falsely passed the test when she was born, The test to prove whether she had the divine power of the hands or not.

The test was done as soon as the baby born had fell into a soundless sleep, When it had stilled and calmed down. That was when the feather was brought out, A primary golden feather with a shine that rivalled the sun.

It was a feather said to have been left behind from the bird of the gods, Hou-Ou. One given to her families ancestors long ago. It had been combed several times, Preened and prepped until the touch was ironically featherlight and unfeeling.

The feather would be grazed across the child's hands, For only a second. If the baby awoke and started crying then that would mean that they had been born with the hands, The only thing being able to feel the pristine brush of the plume.

However, If they failed..

[F/N] shook off the jolting chill running down her back as the wooden bucket in her hands finally filled up with enough water to fill her shallow bath. She didn't want to remember the last loss a year ago, No matter how much it filled her head every night.

It appeared in the corners of her eyes, The splash of red. As soon as she snapped her head around to catch a glimpse, It would be gone. It also appeared in her dreams, The visions of the blade wringing the neck of another child. She had issues sleeping because of it, Keeping her eyes wide open in the middle of the night.

The worst part is it had happened every year, The keyword being had as the number of children being slaughtered had risen. The man, Deciding that the woman was not good enough had turned to others within the village for what he called a proper heir.

However, None were good enough. None were born with the hands that would finally appease the mans hunger for blessed blood. The splash of red appearing every three or four months by now. She remembered the woman's voice, What few words were ever spoken directly to [F/N] herself.

"Some are just made wrong, Don't cry over someone you haven't met."

[F/N] pulled up the bucket of water, Droplets running down the side of the bark and dropping onto the lush grass of the mountain. It sloshed around inside as she tried hauling it in her tiny hands.

[F/N] didn't know why she was still alive, A trick of fate perhaps. When the feather was brushed over her hands as a baby she had woken up and started crying, Making it seem as if she was born with the hands.

However when she had grown up it had become obviously apparent that she hadn't been born with such hands, Just waking up at the right time to avoid her demise. And by then the man couldn't kill her, Already having paraded her around the village.

Her father had tossed her aside after that, Just like leftovers. Thrown her into a cage to call her own and the servants were to raise her however distant they liked. He never talked or acknowledged her other than commands, But [F/N] could tell he thought of her like a rat in the gutter.

A disgrace and a failure of a child he was stuck with until he could find a proper husband to throw her away to. A child born without the conditions met to gain his love, The touch just out of her grasp.

But as her hands were graced with the tiny chill of cold droplets running down her fingers, The splintering wood pricking at her little hands. [F/N] was reminded very well that she wasn't of divine blood or of blessed heritage.

She lugged the bucket of limber wood by her side, Careful not to spill anymore of the river water down the sides of the bark. Her feet tapped against the overgrown grass, Wandering towards the main door.

Why she was the one to survive, Why she was the one destined to outlive all the children who didn't even get their chance. Her siblings, The ones that had been tossed away and the one's of whose blood flowed within the river.

They were her siblings, They were her blood and her only family. Each one of them had been given a name, Not by the man or the woman, But by her. Mariko, Amane, Eito and Tarou. The first four off the top of her head.

They hadn't even survived a day outside the womb yet [F/N] made sure to name every single one, Mark every little name into the corner wall of her room. They hadn't lived through breath but instead through their names, That's the least she thought she could do for them.

She loved them, Every single one of them.

Their little hands and their tiny feet, Their chubby little cheeks and their adorable mimicry of human speech. She adored it, Never getting to see what was of her sibling before they were slaughtered like all the others.

She couldn't bare it, Though she was only six she knew how wrong it was. How much pain she felt every time another was killed.

[F/N] tried to smile however. It wasn't all that bad, At least that's what she told herself. Today marked the day of the solstice festival, The one thrown in favour of The Sun Goddess Amaterasu for their eternal brightness.

It had always been fun for the few times she had remembered it, She was only six after all. [F/N] always had fun running about and handed out free food samples, Often partaking in some of the games and watching Shinto-based plays, They were her favourite.

So as she lugged along the bucket back to her house, She tried to keep a big smile on her face in thought of all the fun she was going to have today. What goldfish she was going to try and catch, What plays she would go see.

It was exciting, Fun and ex-

"AAAAAAAAAHHHHHH-!"

A muffled scream echoed out from within the house, One that made [F/N] yelp and surprise and drop the bucket towards the ground.

It clattered on the foot of the steps, Water flying out and splashing against the andesite stairway as she stumbled forward yelping. She fell to her knees and tipped up the bucket, Exclaiming once she saw the emptiness.

But the screaming didn't stop, It kept up on a higher notch. Wailing louder and louder as [F/N] snapped her head up towards the shrieks, Recognising the high-pitch of them very well.

It was the woman, The pain of her yelling was felt in [F/N]'s bone marrow. It was a string of unintelligible curses and proclamations of agony, For no doubt waking up the entirety of the previously slumbering house as she heard frantic shuffling come from inside.

The screams.

[F/N] knew it well.

Her water had broken.

Her tongue had dropped to her throat, Suddenly feeling limp in her mouth. Sweat started to rise up on the palms of her hands and trickle down her forehead as her lungs started going in and out at a much quicker pace.

Another would be killed.

Another.

Another.

And Another.

That was enough for [F/N] to push herself up from the stone steps and yank the door open with what strength her young body had, Abandoning the bucket and running into the labyrinth of her house to seek cover in her room.

Already knowing of the storm that would be approaching as she heard the thundering voice of her father kick up.

☆♡☆

The whines of the woman echoed throughout the house, The soundwaves bouncing off the walls.

It had been a few hours now and [F/N] had barricaded herself within her room. She had to, The man would've kept her inside for preparation of the next child. The hopes of this one finally having the hands he so craved.

He had come around once, Peeking inside her room and barking at her to stay put before leaving once more. All the servants had ran to the woman's side too, Leaving her completely alone.

To keep her mind occupied out of the oncoming demise of another child, She had sat atop a desk next to the windowsill, Longingly staring out into the festival just gracing the borders of her house so closely.

The colourful streamers were shot into the air, Laughing and yells of pleasure were there to cover up the sounds of muffled agony coming from deep within the house. All the lights, What few of them were were lit up in celebration of the goddess.

[F/N] imagined herself running around with the other kids, Envisioned herself catching goldfish with a bag of sweet treats in her other hand as she did. The way her face would light up in favour of the sun deity above.

But instead she was caged within the walls of her house, Forced to listen to the wails of the woman and the yelling of the man. The servants storming footsteps chattering past her door every so often to grab something new for the woman.

The one day when she was going to have an escape, If only for a few hours. Taken away from her.

It was a distraction from her everyday life, Every time she ran through the streets and bit into a piece of mochi she felt as if she was like everyone else. Like she was never trapped in the first place.

But it's not like she could ever get out.

[F/N] closed her eyes, Arms around her chest cuddling herself closer as the screams reached a peak. It was compelling, A siren's shriek that made her want to throwaway all her orders to stay in the room and run to see the face of her sibling.

She never got to see them, She just wanted to see one.

Only one, The glimpses she got of the previous just wasn't enough. She never got to hold their hand or even commit their face to memory. That's all she wanted, All she's ever wanted for herself.

She didn't even have control over her body when she hopped down from the desk, Her bare feet hitting the floor and starting to patter against the floorboards as she quickly made her way to the door of her room.

The door clicking open, She peered out to check if the coast was clear.

Left then right, Before snaking out the crack in the doorway and running towards the room.

☆♡☆

The child had been born.

Hours after labour had started, The woman had finally given birth to a young boy. A child smaller than usual, One that had taken forever to calm down and lulled into a deep sleep. But the servants had managed, Swaddling him in an earth-coloured cloth.

The room that they were in was the main bedroom of the house. It was dark, The blinds shut over to prevent any of the worshipped sun flooding into the room. Candles were lit in it's place, Surrounding the woman who lain strewn on the bed.

Her spindly, Starving figure was exhausted. Long limbs stretched out across the entire surface of the bed with the child placed firmly on her hollow chest as a part of the so-called imprinting.

A wet cloth was placed upon her forehead. What bloody mess of fluids she had made while giving birth were quickly cleaned up, A blanket thrown over the lower half of her body for little warmth.

[F/N] could see through the peek of the door she looked through that the servants had left, Assumedly to give privacy for the ceremony. She had tried peeking over the top side of the bed, Her height a hinderance as she tried to get a good look at her new sibling.

She finally caught a glimpse of them, A faint smile appearing on her face as she saw his young face. The way they slept without noise in their sleep. Their little nose and their big eyes shut down to sleep.

They were adorable.

However it wasn't just the woman in the room. The man had remained too, His back facing the blinded windows with a box gripped tightly in his hands.

[F/N] watched as he turned, Unlatching the box and flipping open the lid. Rummaging around, It didn't take him long to fish out the idolized plume from inside. The candlelight reflecting of the glistening surface of the feather.

He held it up high, [F/N]'s eyes lighting up at the view of it as he presented it up. It was beautiful, The box it was contained in kept it in very good condition. Looking freshly plucked from the crest of Hou-Ou.

Beautiful, The first time she had ever seen it so close.

This was the test, The one that would decide if this would be the child that would end her siblings deaths. [F/N]'s eyes landed on the sleeping face of her new younger brother, His closed eyes and the way he was tightly wrapped within the cloth.

The baby still swaddled lay against the woman's chest, Resting within a post-born sleep. It didn't take long for the man to lower the flower towards the boy, The fluff of the feather dancing in the wind as it lowered ever so slightly.

Would he pass? Would they be the one to finally end all of this, So her and the adults could finally live happily without anymore death? Only the feather would tell, Only the graze of the lightest touch would be the one to determine that fate.

It fell down even further, The baby babbling something incoherent in it's sleep. [F/N] felt as if her little heart had stopped beating entirely, Her body frozen in anticipation of the outcome.

"Please.. Please.. You can do this..!" [F/N] breathed out, It was so quiet and carried no weight in the indoor wind. But it held such pleading tone, A silent prayer to whatever god would listen to her. This would be the one, This would be the one! She could have a sibling and a family, She would have it. Her!

The feather was only inches away from their hands, Mere millimetres apart as every second ticked by with an audible tock. All until the sunrise plume completed its descent, The very tips of the feather grazing the baby's hand.

Time froze along with [F/N]'s body.

The feather stood still, Brushed up against the tips of his fingers.

The baby did nothing, Made no sound nor stir.

The man's eyes lit up. His mouth opening to bare his fangs and the talon dangling the feather was yanked away from the baby's hands, His luminescent angry eyes lit up. A glow burning brighter and brighter.

[F/N]'s eyes expanded, Her mouth going dry.

cry.. Cry- Please cry or anything-! H-He'll kill you! Do something-! SOMETHING, ANYTHING!

The yelling started up once more, Animalistic cries beginning to kick up once more as it shook the room with the sheer magnitude. So loud that the woman jolted up from her position on the bed, Predatory eyes shaking up in surprise.

"ANOTHER ONE! ANOTHER FUCKING FAILURE- "

The woman who was freshly awoken got up onto a sitting position as if doing this a hundred times before, The baby nudged down to the side and abandoned. Her blurry face seeming to get more static as she started to scream right back at him.

"FOR FUCK'S SAKE DO YOU THINK I'M TRYING TO DO TH-"

[F/N] stumbled back, Her feet barely landing their mark as she covered her mouth.

The screams turning into nothing but white noise as the darkness of the hallway started to envelop her more and more, Each step she took back was one more closer to her inevitable cries.

By now, The baby had woken up and had started wailing. Shrill cries mixing in with the wrath of the adults, Confused and helpless with no prior experience to this world. It was screaming, It was screaming so goddamn loud.

[F/N] whined, The hot spill already dripping down her face. Turning her back to the door she turned and ran, Her instincts kicking in. That need to escape pumping through her blood as she sprinted back towards her room.

Feet thumping against the floorboards as she ran through the door to her room, Instantly falling to the floor.

Another one.. Another one would be taken.

Again and again.

Hands bathed in the blood of the monster who took them all from her.

☆♡☆

"B-But- Can't you keep this one? J-Just this one? You don't even need to care for him, I-I'll do it!"

[F/N]'s shrill voice called out, Her discordant voice cried as she watched the man's hulking body stop just beside her doorway.

He had come in, Not even a few minutes ago to command her to stay inside for the next week or so. Bursting into her doorway to find [F/N] huddled under the sheets of her futon, Proceeding to ignore that and hiss at her to obey his orders.

The festival outside still roared with life, People dancing and laughing as they played along the riverbank. [F/N] was thankful that they were, It was the only thing preventing the death of her little sibling.

Due to the copious amounts of people surrounding the riverbank, It was made impossible to kill and dispose of the baby and it's corpse as if he did then the village people would see the blood running in the water and get alarmed.

[F/N] had heard the yell come from him a few minutes after she had ducked into the safety of her room. He would be killed tomorrow when the festival clears, When the people have dispersed and the water made private once more.

It gave [F/N] time as she stood below the figure of the man, Her little body was an ant compared to the mountain of his pitch-black body. His talons and horns reflecting the light of the window parallel.

[F/N] had somehow found the confidence to stand up to him, Though under his height she didn't stand that tall. But she had to try, There was an opportunity to save him, To save her little brother.

She tried to look big, Similar to a cat would as she raised her shaky shoulders and bared her baby teeth. Tears brimming in her eyes with horror as the horrifying man turned around to look at her, Wrathful irises staring death into her.

His needled teeth bore, Maw opening wide.

"No, For fucks sake just stay in your goddamn room and pipe down like a good little girl. Stop arguing back and stay quiet, Don't talk back to me." He rumbled, Voice like thunder in the distant as it struck [F/N] through the heart.

His neck cracked and his limbs settled within there sockets as he moved, Lunging forward as if to pounce. [F/N] flinched, But he pulled himself back at the last second to turn back around towards the door. His claws encircling the knob as he started to yank it open.

[F/N] regained her footing, Heart drumming in her chest as she opened her mouth.

"I-I'll tell the village what you're doing! They'll save him!" She exclaimed as her palms grew clammy at her words.

The man stopped in his tracks.

He turned around, His face revealing the angry glow of his eyes that pierced into her. What little [F/N] could make out of his face seemed to get angrier, His muscles pushing back to reveal a burning rage upon him.

[F/N]'s tears started to spill now, Raising over the brink and piling over the edge.

She backed up, What balance she had seemed to vanish as she watched the man turn around fully now. Baring his shoulders and pushing out his chest as he took a step towards her.

"W-Wait.. No- I'm sorry-!" [F/N] cried out but she was cut short by the icy cold grip of a clawed hand on her cheek.

The man had lowered onto a single knee now, The floorboards decreasing under the weight of his body and almost breaking them in half. What angry expression he had before seemed to have changed now.

It almost looked friendly, Almost as if there was a heart buried within the empty void of his body. But it also looked as if he wanted something, Like he was sucking up to someone just to get something out of them.

[F/N] froze as the grip on her cheek tightened.

"Sweetheart.. You know this is just a family tradition, Right? It's not wrong to get rid of some deficient children." His bestial voice seemed to have been tamed, If only a little bit as he over-emphasised his words. Talking down to her as his facial muscles turned upwards.

Her mouth was dry. [F/N] didn't know what to do, This was the first time he had ever lain a hand on her in such a way. Though it wasn't warm or comforting, It was cold like the hand of a rotting corpse. It made her want to cry and run away.

"N-No..?" She coughed out, Lip trembling as she tried not to invoke his anger any further. Confused as to why he was acting so nice all of a sudden, So friendly as if he was her friend with well meaning intentions.

But [F/N] knew better as he smiled further, Exposing the pointed bone lodging out his gums.

"Well it is. This is completely natural." The man answered. His faux smile stayed strong, Though [F/N] could almost see it falter as he saw the continued confused look on her face. "You know what? How about I tell you a story.."

It wasn't something [F/N] was meant to answer as his hand moved down to her shoulder, Almost as if he was trying to hold her in place as he talked.

"So.. Once upon a time there was a.. A farmer and his livestock. The farmer was the best in all of the land, He especially had these prized sheep. Beautiful fleeces, Their meat was the most delicious and everyone in his village loved the farmer for making it." He started.

[F/N] blinked, Nodding slightly as he spoke. She was still puzzled, Still lost within the mist of her mind as she tried to follow along with what he was saying. Wait, What was he saying? [F/N] didn't know just yet as he continued.

"One day one of the prized sheep gave birth to her lambs, The farmer had been waiting months for them to arrive… But when they did, They came out wrong." The man said, His voice lowering an octave as he got closer to her.

"Wrong.. Wrong how?" [F/N] said slowly. The story he was telling about the lambs and their so-told unfortunate birth still hadn't weighed in on her. Though she was curious, How could something be born wrong.

The man took a second to think.

"..Well their fleeces were dirty and all their limbs were thin and bony. The weren't like the prized sheep that the farmer had raised, And their meat would be dry and tasteless if he decided to make his next batch of sheep with them." The man answered, Looking over [F/N] as she hummed.

The lambs he was describing sounded nothing like the ones she had seen in the village, The ones that were kept in livestock were always floundering about within their pens. They looked healthy and happy.

Though ones that he told of sounded rather sad, [F/N] imagined the little stubs of the usual lamb as the ones he described and how unhappy the lambs would be. She also remembered how the villagers would favour the nicer looking lambs while feeding them, The ones with fluffier coats or the ones that were friendlier.

"The villagers wouldn't like it.." [F/N] mumbled to herself, Deep within the thralls of her mind as she considered his tale. The man's eyes lowered in contentment, Seeing that his point was being told.

"Exactly, [F/N]. The villagers wouldn't like it if the meat turned tasteless, They wouldn't like it if the fleeces became dirty. Now, The farmer didn't know what to do.. These were the only lambs born this season." The man told, Nodding along.

[F/N] blinked, Bringing her hand to her chin in thought.

"..What did he do?" She asked slowly, Her little self looking up towards him. Her eyes still scared and on guard as she stared into the intense shine of his eyes, Though curiosity was laced in within her eyes. The man's hyenic grin widened, Sickeningly so.

"Well it just so happened that the village was being terrorized by a mountain lion for a few months now, And the lion was there to see the lambs. So it told the farmer that if he gave the lion the lambs, It would stop terrorizing the village.." The man started.

"And..?" [F/N] queried.

"And the farmer gave the lion the lambs. It meant that the village would be peaceful and the genes of the prized sheep would be spared, Though he wouldn't be able to provide the village with any meat: It would mean that future lambs would be much better in quality." The man finished. The hand on her shoulder dropping to his side.

[F/N] paused for a moment, Slowly nodding to the story in understanding. The lambs were sacrificed to the lion in order to keep peace in the village as well as the quality of the stock. For the greater good, Was that the moral of the story?

[F/N] didn't quite understand the roles in the story. The lambs she knew, They were the babies: Her siblings. The farmer was the man, The poor man who was tasked with producing quality meat.

But the lion?

"Then.. Whose the lion?" [F/N] asked as she looked up at him, Tilting her head and blinking in confusion. The man just looked at her through the void of his face, Contemplating over his words before speaking.

"The lion is The God Kagutsuchi, [F/N]." The man answered. "He's our ancestor, He's the man who gave this clan the hands in the first place. He wouldn't want it to go to waste, Would he?"

"..No.. He wouldn't." [F/N] concluded as she watched the man get up from his position. Pushing himself up with a hand and getting up onto his feet, Back to his entire height now as he smiled at her.

"Good. You understand now. This is all for the greater good, [F/N]. Telling the villagers would be wrong, You wouldn't want to upset your ancestor." He said as he turned around towards the door.

His claws wrapped around the knob on the door, His claws encircling the silver in-between his palms as he started to open it.

Though, He looked back. His smile completely gone from his face and replaced with that familiar anger painted across his visage.

"Now stay inside the house, Don't dare try to leave."

That was all he said before the door yanked open, The cold air of the outside hallway blowing against her face before it was gone. The door slammed shut and the man gone from within her room.

[F/N] just stood there, Feet fixed in place for several minutes. She just thought over his words as they reeled within her mind and went back over and over again, It was strange.

He said it was for the greater good, That was what he was trying to convey in his story. But something in her gut argued with that sentiment will all their might, Something that just felt so wrong.

Maybe it was the question mixed in with the thoughts in her mind. If the lambs were the siblings that were sacrificed to the lion, Then why was she the one that the lion turned over?

☆♡☆

Feet pitter pattered against the wooden floorboards, The lumber hard against the soles of her toes as she moved along the hallway.

An occasional servant passed her as she wandered down the passage, Barely paying her any mind in favour of getting to their next tasks. Some with plates of food and others with cleaning equipment overflowing in their arms.

[F/N] didn't pay attention to them either as they passed by, Too enveloped within her own thoughts to care about who they were or where they were going. Her shoulders dropped to their low, Her head fallen with them.

Though the story told to her eased her nerves if not a little bit, The build-up of years of seeing her siblings die was not easily broken down. It was still hard to forget the splatter of red across the grass, The blood mixing in with the river water.

The way the body was just wrapped in cloth and tossed away into the river, How their curled fingers went limp and the body turning cold within the freezing chill of the mountains stream.

It was horrifying.

But the man said it was for the greater good, Did he not? The Hands were of the utmost sacred abilities, A rite of passage into the clan. The lambs that were born needed the hands and the lion that had beginned them needed them to be passed on.

She wouldn't want to disrespect the gods, She wouldn't want to go against them in the slightest so why was she still feeling this way? [F/N] still didn't know, Her young mind still not made to handle this stress.

She stopped in her tracks, A sudden light entering her vision.

It broke her out of her wandering trance, The warming light dancing off the floorboards came from the crack in the door beside her. Only noticing it now, She peered over towards the tall frame.

She saw it, And recognised it instantly.

It was that woman's room, The same one she had peered into earlier. Where she witnessed the birth of her sibling and the subsequent fight that had broken out over his birth, Just like the others again and again.

She stared through the crack in the doorway, The small glimpse of the inside showed nothing but a slice of the bed. Curiosity killed the cat, But that notion didn't move [F/N] as she moved a little closer to the doorway.

Could he still be there?

Maybe. Maybe he could still be laying within the chambers, From what sliver she saw of the inside she could tell that the woman wasn't present within. She had never cared for who she had made, Never held them consciously for any reason.

She could've left him within her chambers, Left him out and waited for him to be slaughtered in the coming morning. Not that there was any tell of daybreak, But what if..

[F/N] looked left then right, Making sure nobody was watching her as she pushed open the door to the chambers. It opened with an audible creak, Making [F/N] jolt as she once again checked to make sure nobody was watching her.

Once she made sure of it, She quickly stepped a guilty foot inside and close the door behind her to cover her actions. Leaving her inside the walls of the room.

The blinds were still shut together, Blocking out the natural light of the outside world and leaving the burning embers of the half-melted candles to do the job instead. The shadows long and thick due to the result.

It also made it humid as [F/N] scanned her eyes over the room. Everything was basically the same. The side table, The half-done bed, The nightstands and the closet off to the side. It was all the same as normal.

Except there was something placed upon the table, [F/N] squinted her eyes to get a better look at it. Once her vision cleared she had realised it was a basket, Woven of thatch and twine laying upon the table.

[F/N] stumbled closer to it, Understanding what it was as she rested her hands on the accompanying chair. Pushing herself up onto it she sat on her knees, Peering over into the contents of the basket. Her pursed lips turned into a soft smile at the sight.

It was her baby brother swaddled in the same earth-coloured cloth. He was awake now, Babbling out incoherent speech from within his makeshift cradle. He looked so precious, [F/N] couldn't help but lean over further.

"Hello, Nii-san..!" [F/N] called out in a hushed whisper, Speaking to the baby with a fondness like no other and saying it with such a burning love in her eyes. The baby in turn giggled at her speech, A giddy smile appearing upon his face.

[F/N] gasped as he responded to her words.

"You're so cutee.. My name is [F/N], You're my brother..!" [F/N] told him lightly as she lifted a hand towards him, Holding out her pinky as she peered at her brother.

The baby laughed again. His chubby little hand reached out towards her hand, Grabbing and clenching his hands before it finally grasped onto her pinky finger. [F/N]'s jaw dropped as she felt his hand wrap around hers.

"Ohmygosh-" She breathed out as she watched him rock around within his cradle, The grasp on her pinky finger never letting down. [F/N] in that moment looked at him and saw the world, The candlelight shining in her eyes.

She smiled, Pondering to herself for a moment.

"I should probably name you, You know! What sounds good to you..?" [F/N] asked him, Leaning over the side just a little bit more. She understood that he couldn't answer so she brought a hand to her chin in thought.

"How about.. Kaito? No.. Aito? No.. Akai? Denji? Enmei?" She listed off, Going off the few names off the top of her head and striking a line through the ones she had already used. Her lips pursed back up in thought, Her eyebrows furrowing.

[F/N] gasped, Suddenly snapping her fingers.

"How about Shizuko? I don't know if it's a girl or a boy name.. But I think it's really cute!" [F/N] exclaimed, Eyes sparkling as the now named 'Shizuko' babbled out what [F/N] took as confirmation.

He liked it, Shizuko liked it and that made [F/N] happy. Her other hand reached into the basket, Carefully lifting him up and making sure to support the head like the women in the village carried their own children.

She brought him down into her chest, Making sure his head was held up by her shoulder and her hands keeping him steady. Her smile was like the sun in that moment, The sheer joy she felt from holding Shizuko was coursing through her veins.

"You're not even crying.. It's just.. Amazing.." [F/N] trailed off as her hand rubbed over the cloth covering his back. Her smile dimmed ever so slightly, Turning down until it reached a frown.

This was the first time she's ever got to held her siblings, All been killed before she could. She remembered the mans tale of the lion and the lamb, How to sacrifice the few meant the purification of the future's many.

But how could sacrificing such a child be so good, How could killing him just because he wasn't born with the proper hands such a righteous thing to do? It didn't make sense, The story becoming much more grey as she thought about it more and more.

The hand holding his back made sure the cloth was covering him, Though the grasp she had started to harden. Gripping him and holding him closer towards her, Leaning over and almost protecting him with her body.

The light in her eyes fell. He would be killed in the morning, That was to be sure of. The lion would be provoked and the farmer would need to sacrifice another lamb. But the way the man spoke of it wasn't like sacrifice but instead disposal.

[F/N]'s hand moved down to his midsection, The hands holding him tight as she held him up towards the ceiling above. As if presenting him to the whole world which she saw in him, The tears bubbling in her eyes starting to spill over.

"You don't deserve to die.. Do you?" [F/N] whispered to him. Shizuko giggled once more, His little arms flailing about and treating this like a game of upsies. [F/N] smiled forlornly at him, He looked so happy.

[F/N] saw his face and tried to smile back as happily as she could, Trying to wash away the sadness in her smile to put on appearances for him. It just wasn't fair, Kagutsuchi didn't deserve Shizuko's life. He didn't even deserve to ask for it in the first place.

But what could she do? She was nothing, She couldn't stop the god's will. She was nothing but a mortal soul going throughout the motions. She couldn't even get out the house, The servants were there by the door, Most likely put there for precaution due to her outburst earlier.

Nothing, There was no esca-

"Aaah… Ahh.."

Shizuko babbled out once more, Snapping [F/N] out of her thoughts. His babbling was no more different from what she had heard before but she understood it well along with the hand motions he made. She lowered him down to her eye level, Meeting the dark ebony of his eyes.

[F/N] sniffled, Trying to dry her tears to a fruitless result.

"What is it..? Are you hungry?" [F/N] asked.

Shizuko made no verbal response, Instead [F/N] felt the sensation of a tiny palm hitting her cheek.

It was a suprise, Her body jolting at the sudden touch from him. His hand resting on her cheek and grabbing at it, The tears beneath them subsequently blocked from going any further.

Her eyes widened, Jaw dropping only slightly as her shoulders tensed. Her arm raised up towards him, A hand of her own resting over his own and taking it within her warm grasp and cradling it close to her face.

Was he.. Was he trying to dry her tears?

No way, He was too young to even understand that sort of thing. But as he lightly tried to hit at her face over and over again, Specifically towards the warm spillage going down her cheeks. She could only interpret it as such.

"I.. I.. Shizuko.. You don't need to do that.." [F/N] choked out. The action made striking the chords of her heartstrings, Resonating something deep inside her. Something warm and something she thought long lost.

Shizuko only responded in babbles, Repeatedly trying to rub his hands over her cheeks as more tears spilled out of her ducts. She couldn't stop crying anymore, She brought him close, Hugging him tight.

"I-I can't let you die.. I don't want you to die. Y-You.. I don't want another to leave me.. Y-You just can't die." [F/N] choked out as she sniffled hard, Taking her little brother into her arms and cradling him close.

Though as her blurry vision raised she met the doorway of the room. Sniffling once she dried the tears and snot off her face, Trying to steady herself.

"I.. I won't let you die. N-Not another one.." [F/N] mumbled to him, Settling him back down into the woven cot and positioning him to be as comfortable as he could. She picked up the cot into her hands, All before scampering over to the doorway.

A free hand lightly pushed the door open, Her head poking out to make sure no one was there. But hearing the sounds of footsteps approaching rapidly she hid back inside the room, Watching as another servant passed by through the crack before making a break for it.

She moved quickly and as silently as she could. Her ears perking up at any little sound, The settling of the house or the sound of faraway footsteps. Begging them not to come any closer to where she was. Shizuko babbled out, But [F/N] quickly moved a finger over her lips.

"Sssh! We gotta be quiet now.. Shizuko. We need to be quiet.." She hushed to him. Sweat starting to gather on her skin and the grip she had on his woven cot was grasped harder. She gulped, The implications of what she was doing starting to soak in.

As she made her way throughout the labyrinth of her house she found her way back to her room.

Shoving open the door with her shoulder she quickly shut it with a swift kick to the other side. She didn't bother listening to the slam as she ran over to her futon and set Shizuko down ontop of it.

"O-Okay.. Uhm.. You stay there, Shizuko! Give me a minute okay?" [F/N] told him, Leaning over to make sure he was okay before jerking around and stumbling over towards her closet. Opening it, She could feel the sheer weight of what she was about to do.

What was she about to do? [F/N] didn't know. She wasn't thinking nor did she have a plan. All she knew was the thundering of her heart was directing her every movement as she started scavenging through what she had inside the closet.

Messes of old baby clothes she kept in there, Formal clothes she put on for show. Both were left behind in favour of an old leather rucksack being tossed to the floor behind her. Both followed by a few kimonos and other assorted necessities from inside.

[F/N] could feel the sweat pooling in on her skin. How was she going to get out? There was a servant guarding the door and there was no way she would be able to sneak out Shizuko and a rucksack full of incriminating evidence.

Damnit.. She had no time to think as she started stuffing the rucksack full of clothes. At any moment a servant or god forbid the adults walk into that bedroom, Find that he's gone and start a manhunt.

Any moment they could burst through her door, Any moment they could catch her in the act.

If they did.. If they did then she was sure she'd be seeing the rest of her siblings soon.

[F/N] gulped. Shizuko let out a few more babbles from within his cot, Still not understanding the risk of the situation. She shook it off however, While the main door was completely guarded that didn't mean that there was no way out.

The light from the window shown in on her face, The ethereal light dancing on the smooth of her skin giving her an idea. The way the wooden frame of the window was built, It was a blessing it was able to open.

[F/N] pulled up the leather strap of the rucksack, Throwing it over her shoulder before running back over to the side of her futon.

Shizuko looked up at her, Not understanding what she was doing when she picked up the cot into both her arms. [F/N] smiled as best as she could, Trying to keep him calm and quiet as she made her way over to the window.

"Okay.. We're gonna go on a adventure now. Okay, Shizuko..?" [F/N] whispered to him, Pushing the cot up onto the mahogany desk with her following closely behind on the chair. Shizuko let out a few more noises, And [F/N] didn't hesitate to take them as his confirmation.

[F/N] got up onto the desk quickly afterwards. The latch on the door was stiff as her hands went to open it, Hardened in place from years of no use.

"Gh-!" [F/N] exclaimed lightly as her hands pulled at the latch. Her other hand joining the first as she tried with all her might to push it open. It dug into her palms, It didn't matter as she just tried harder and harde-

SLT!

The latch finally pushed forward, Opening so suddenly it made [F/N] yelp out .

She could feel the sudden gush of cold mountain air hit her knees, A breeze pushing into her hair and blowing it back. It felt glowing, It felt like the key to the door she had went mad looking for her entire life.

[F/N] was near distracted by it, She had felt it many times in her life but this one felt more freeing. An opportunity relished and ready for the taking. Though it was broken when she heard the terrified scream from one of the servants.

"THE BABY IS GONE!"

It was one of the adults personal servants, Loyal like a dog.

[F/N]'s body jolted up in fear, The cold breeze turning into a terrifying chill running down her spine like ocean water. Her hands lunged to the cot, The uproar of muffled footsteps starting to fill the house.

"We've got to go-! We've got to go!" [F/N] shrieked, Her arms wrapping around the cot and her legs throwing themselves out of the window with it in her lap. Thank the gods she was on the first floor.

The footsteps started to drum at the structure, [F/N] could feel it in her bones as they rapidly approached her room.

But by then she had already slipped out the window with the cot in her arms. The chill only fueling her newfound courage, The one that was determined to make sure that this child would survive.

The only one that would survive.

As soon as the grass brushed at the sides of her sandals she didn't waste time on the sensation, Already running down the slope of the hill her house was set on. Shizuko babbled.

The wind rushing in the opposite direction, The sun in the other. Neither bothered her any longer, Her mind was one track and she was determined to get to her destination of who knows where.

The yelling picked up from behind her as she ran, Now the sounds of the man mixed in with the servants. But it grew distant the further she went, As the house grew smaller and smaller atop the hill until it was nothing but a speck anymore.

The village was no option for her to travel through. The people there would question why she had a baby and if they did that would only give the adults time to catch up to her, They'd figure out where Shizuko went eventually.

So instead she diverted through the forest beside the village, Running behind the houses with the sweat flying off her face. Her legs picking up in speed, Going so quick like they never had before.

The alleyways she passed shone the street markets and the people laundering about their days, Flashes of happy smiles she would never see again. While she never had any good friends here, There were still people she would miss dearly.

Hopping over the rocks jutting out the river, Barely missing the sloshing sea foam bursting out the rush of the river. She made it to the other side with Shizuko still untouched and in her grasped.

"Come on.. You can do this.." [F/N] mumbled, Not knowing whether it was dedicated to herself or Shizuko. But it didn't matter anymore as she ran down the mountain, The outskirts of the village growing small just like it did her house.

As the tall acres of tree's rushed by her, As the rocks scattered throughout the forest floor were barely dodged. The freedom grew more and more along with the darkening of the clear blue above.

Liberty, That's what she felt. The emancipation of her and her little brother, She had escaped. But she didn't stop to savour that moment, Running quicker and quicker to make sure that the chains were untethered entirely.

She was out, She had escaped The Sunlight Village.

☆♡☆

The moon hung over the speckled ebony of the night.

The grace of the pale blue moonlight shone down onto the streets below, The air much colder now yet it was comforting to the village it was sired under.

The streets were barren, Most of the residents either huddled in the pubs or the drinking taverns. Loud laughter could be heard from inside and it echoed out into the quiet roads harboured outside.

It was much less developed than The Sunlight village. The houses made not out of stone and manufactured wood but instead crafted from unprocessed lumber and thatch. The lanterns lining the streets illuminating that glow, The warm light providing heat in the chilling night.

[F/N] however didn't care about the people bustling inside the buildings, Nor did she care about how quiet the streets outside were. Instead her head was locked to look straight up, Eyes reflecting the serenity of the moon above.

It glowed in her irises, Her eyes widening to capture all of it. The first time she had ever seen the beauty of the moon, What it was described as in the books was nothing compared to seeing it in person.

"Shizuko.. Look at it, Can you really believe it?!" [F/N] squealed with the biggest smile crossing her face. After running for hours and hours throughout the dangerous wild she finally had time to admire it.

Shizuko by now was fast asleep. His big eyes were shut as he was tucked carefully into the earthy cloth, Warming him up in the brisk of the night. It was nothing like the harsh wintry gales on the mountainside.

This was comforting, It was a cold she let sink into her skin no matter how much she shivered.

She had travelled for hours down the mountain, Then some over unfamiliar flatlands. She had felt hungry, Vulnerable and dehydrated. But she had somehow made it hours later to this village, Assumedly miles upon miles away from where she started off from.

In that time her kimono had gotten ragged, Dirt staining the edges and tiny holes were ripped into the fabric. It didn't bother her however, The mere fact that she was free was more than enough to overpower that.

[F/N] smiled as she looked down upon the sleeping face of her little brother, The hands still holding his cot setting him down onto the stone pavement she stood beside. The noise from the tavern she was leaning against not even waking him.

[F/N] kneeled down, Looming over the cot as she looked at him. She smiled softly, Running a hand over his little face. She wasn't sure what she was going to do next, She had gotten out. But what now. [F/N] hummed.

"You must be hungry.. We've been running for hours without stop so.. I guess I should get you something, Huh?" She spoke to him softly. Watching him rock back and forth within his sleep she pulled the cloth over him.

She hoisted the cot back up into her arms before standing back to her full height of only a few feet. Taking in the deep breath of the night's air her eyes sparked, The moonlight dancing within her vivid colours.

[F/N] took off. Now that she was outside of The Sunlight Village, She wasn't quite sure how she was able to get food. Back then she'd get it every so often delivered to her room while the adults ate in the dining room, But now?

She wasn't quite sure how people got food. She knew how it was made from animals and plants, But where to get it was another story entirely. The shops here all smelled of the stuff she'd catch the man drinking on occasion, She had tried it once and it was nasty meaning it was no good for Shizuko.

So as she passed by the welcoming lights of the pubs and taverns, She tried to keep her eyes out for something else.

Maybe a food stand, But for some reason there was none around in the dead of night. There was no one on the streets she could ask help from, So as she examined all the comparatively tall walls she started to get antsy.

The hopeful smile she had on her face started to dim, The way she fiddled with her ruined kimono sleeves didn't help to soothe her nerves. She bit her lip as her eyes went back and forth again and again to try and find some sense of familiarity or shelter.

"Ehm.. I.. I don't think there's much around.." [F/N] mumbled under her breath, Coming to a halt within the streets. The barren wasteland of the urban landscape yielding no hope to her, Though glancing down at Shizuko she smiled once more.

"..It's fine, We'll keep going.." [F/N] said as she started to pick up her footsteps, Pattering against the stone wood she held her head high and decided to k-

"Hey.. Kid."

A low voice called out from beside her.

[F/N] stopped in her tracks from the sudden voice. The only noise before was the chirping of crickets and the faraway chatter of drunken festivities, So hearing something so close was rather surprising to say the least.

[F/N] turned her head to the side, Blinking as she came face to face with an dark alleyway. It was lodged between two tall fences and combined with their shadows and the night it made it nigh impossible to see a few feet into it.

But she heard the voice of an older man from within it, She couldn't deny it.

"Hello..?" [F/N] called out back into the alleyway, Her voice reverberating against the wooden fences as it went. No one answered, Not for a few dragging moments before the voice spoke out again.

But now with an associated body.

"Heyyyy~…" The man drawled as his body emerged from within the shadows.

His body was tall, Taller than the usual person. He seemed lean or rather thin, But [F/N] could see the muscles hiding under his loose yukata. He stood high with no hunch and had a half-empty bottle of sake swinging within his vulture-like hands.

His face too, It was like the mentioned bird's as well. Skin drooping and furrowed into a point with his nose and chapped lips. But his appearance didn't put-off [F/N], Too innocent to sense the vileness coming off of him.

"What'cha looking for there, Girlie..? Ain't you too young to be out this late..~?" The man drawled as he took a swig from the sake bottle, Liquor dribbling down his chin without care. [F/N] blinked as she looked at him.

"I'm just looking for any places I can get some food.. Do you know where I can get it?" [F/N] asked, Putting on the best smile that she could. The man smiled as he stalked a few steps closer to her in the dead night.

"Well I mean maybe~ Your parents about..? Oh.. What'cha got in there..?" He asked, Now looming over her to create a new shadow. [F/N] held Shizuko tighter in her arms yet her happy demeanour dropped.

She took a moment to think however.

"..No, My parents aren't really here right now. And this is my little brother, He's hungry, That's why I'm trying to find food." [F/N] told him. She watched as his crooked smile grew wider to expose his gums.

"..Well, You're in luck then..~" The man said.

"I am?" [F/N] asked, Tilting her head.

"Mhmm.. I got food back at my place~ How'sa bout I bring you and ya' brother back with me..? How'sa bout that?" The man said, Taking a final swig of his bottle before tossing it aside far into the alleyway with an audible clatter.

[F/N] hummed. Her first time talking with someone outside the village, She had been told how different it was down here but in person she could see what they meant. He was an adult, Adult's were meant to be trusted if you excluded the ones in her house.

The one's in the village were always nice to her, Giving her free food during festival times and always fawning over her lineage. Even so they were always cordial, How different could this one be? Plus he was offering food, That was something she couldn't give up.

[F/N] smiled bigger.

"Okay then! As long as you reall-" [F/N] stopped in the middle of her speech, Jaw left open as she froze in place.

The man raised an eyebrow, His drunken grin turning into a tight-lipped grimace.

"What..? What's wrong..?" He asked, But [F/N] couldn't hear him as she was invested within her own thoughts.

Mid-way through her sentence, Through her acceptance of his offer. She had suddenly been hit with a disgusting sense striking through her heart like a spear, A sudden jolt of concentrated fear radiating within her heart.

It wasn't like anything she had felt before, Nothing at all. But where could it be coming from? What did it mean. It smelt like rotten eggs and the pungent smell of liquor doused on top of it.

[F/N] looked back up at him, Her question answered by the look on his face.

It was coming from him.

"I.. N-Nevermind, I think I'll just continue searching on my own now.." [F/N] said as she backed away. What safety she had felt before gone in an instant, Replaced with an overwhelming terror pumping through her blood stream.

She had went to turn, But the cold hand that lunged out onto her shoulder stopped her motion.

"No, No.. You better come with me if you're hungry~ Come on.. I'll take good care of you.." The man said but the overly-friendly charade had started to break down more and more. The tug of his hand more insistent.

[F/N] started to tremble, The hold on Shizuko's cot becoming that of steel as she tried to shake off his hand.

"Please.. I don't wanna go with you.. Let me go.." [F/N] whispered out with a pleading look on her face. Something was wrong, Something was really wrong and it was confirmed how she was yanked back by his hand.

His grin now gone with the night's wind. Angry eyes reflecting his true intentions as [F/N] yelped out in terror.

"No, No.. Come on now.. You're comin' with me.." He hissed out lowly as he started to drag her out of the alleyway by the wrist, Near sweeping her off her feet and dropping Shizuko as he lugged her along with him.

"N-No! Get off me, Get off!" [F/N] screamed but there was no one to hear. The streets still empty and barren, No soul around but the stars to hear her cries of helplessness. Shizuko woke up too, Sensing the situation he started to cry.

"Shut up-!" The man snapped at her as Shizuko's cries grew louder.

"Let go- L-Let go!" [F/N] cried out.

"Shut it, You little bitch!" The man spat.

[F/N] didn't know what she was doing. But one moment she was being pulled out the alleyway by the wrist, The next her foot connected with the start of his bare knee. Slamming her soles into them as hard as her little body could.

The man screamed in agony as his leg near toppled on itself.

"You bitch- You little whore- YOU GET BACK HERE YOU-!" [F/N] didn't wait any longer to hear what words he would call her next.

Instead grasping onto the cot harder and turning towards the alleyway, Eyes brimming with tears as she sprinted into the darkness. She ran. Feet thundering against the textured stone of the alleyway.

Shizuko crying and firmly within her grasp as she passed by piles of trash and unpolished wood laying around. The scenery was filthy and infested with grime, But she had no time to smell the roses as she heard the man start to run behind her.

He was yelling.

Yelling obscenities she just couldn't make out nor could understand. She ran and ran, Her little legs trying their best to make distance but it was no matter anymore. Turning a corner her feet skittered to a halt.

A wall.

There was a wall.

There was no exit, There was just the end of the alleyway. A single wooden fence with dirt and rubbish piling up against it, Rats and mice scavenging the leftovers. There was no detour or route she could run for.

No.. This can't be-! This can't be it- No- No- NO!

[F/N] felt her heart drop.

Her body started to shake even harder as she took a step back, Looking at the sight with disbelief. The fences were too high to climb for someone of her height, Too tall to scale and her The feet behind her came to halt, Only a metre away.

[F/N] wanted her bed right then and there.

"Alright.. Fucking slut-!" He wheezed out as she turned around in horror to face the monster so close to her and her little brother. He took a few more steps closer, Further and further towards her as she backed up into the alleyway.

"I- I'm sorry-! Please let me go, Pleas- I won't tell no one! J-Just let us go okay, We won't tell-" [F/N] felt her back slam against the wall, Her body collapsing down into a ball. Shizuko's cot in the centre, His cries echoing out in the alleyway.

The man sneered. His body almost doubling in size as he approached closer and closer. A mixture of saliva and booze trailing down his chin, A horrid stench made very clear now. [F/N]'s heart thumped harder and harder, Her hands growing sweaty.

"Fucking ungrateful little shit.. I offer you food and a place to stay- And this is how you act? Not very respecting of your elders, Eh? Ya' mommy and daddy never teach you that?" He rumbled. A tone just dripping with mockery and he grew closer and closer.

What could she do? What would she do? There was nothing, No exit or place to run was made available. Was this really what the world was like?

The green grass fields that were illustrated in the books, Dandelions and bustling cities full of friendly people to talk with. Would she ever get to see that now? Were they real in the first place?

She would never know, Not now. Not by the way she sensed him. Her shaky hand brushed up against cold glass, Dragging her eyes away from him for only a moment.

"Fucking bitch.. You know what..? Pass the little boy you got in there, Teach you a little lesson.. Eh?" His hands lunged out, Time slowing with it as he reached down towards the woven cot.

Towards Shizuko.

In that moment, Looking back. [F/N] wasn't sure what came over her in that single second, She didn't know what divine force drove her actions as her hand wrapped around the sake bottle he had tossed earlier.

She lunged it upwards, Forgetting Shizuko for only a moment as her body turned within the air.

But it was over soon. The hands that were ready to grab her little brother were soon a pallete of red, Fallen to the floor.

His body twitched, Garbled speech dying on his tounge.

The broken bottle was stuck dead within his throat, Shards broken off and splintering into the skin of his shoulders. It was over in an instant, [F/N] somehow striking a vital point within him.

He had fallen to the floor, Covering her with his blood.

What.. What happened?

She sat there wide eyed. Her body didn't move a single inch, Petrified about what had happened. Shizuko tucked in beside her.

The man was easily ten times bigger than him, His muscles toned for a drunkard could've easily overpowered her.

But somehow she was able to overpower him, Somehow knew where to puncture and made a perfect move to lodge it in. Like a blood-borne ability it came off naturally, Like she had done it ten times before.

But she sat there for what felt like hours. Her mouth open and her grey kimono drowned in the intoxicated blood of the man she had slain by her hands.

As her eyes drifted down the corpse only a few feet away, She raised a hand.

The blood dripping down her fingertips, The iron stench flooding the alleyway.

It brought her back to all those times before, How the man dragged all of her siblings to the river and that splash of red would burst from their little necks. How it would fall into the river, Iron flowing in the water.

Did.. Did she do that?

"Woah.. Looks like someone already got him.."

Another voice called out from down the alleyway.

[F/N]'s body tensed up, The primal glint in her eyes stiffening as she pulled Shizuko closer to her. Her eyes wild and ready for the next one, Locking in on a trio of men walking down the alleyway and stopping at the sight.

One of the men looked to the side, Spotting her crouched form deeper within the passage. Tapping his comrades on the shoulder he pointed towards her, Which only made her back further into the shadows.

"Hey- Hey kid, You good there?" One of the men called out. A gruff voice like a smoker, One that seemed scarred as he looked at the young girl hiding within the darkness.

[F/N] didn't respond, Only looked at them with vigilant eyes.

Another man took the opportunity to speak.

"Hey.. Did you do this?" The other man spoke, Daring to take a few steps closer as he pointed at the bloody cadaver. The man's body muscular and marked, Tattoo's running all throughout his body.

[F/N] blinked. Scanning over him before nodding.

The man took a few steps back towards the group, Tapping them on the shoulder and whispering a few things that [F/N] just couldn't make out. They seemed to be in some sort of debate.

She tried to take a few cautious steps forward, Trying to get a better listen to what they were saying. Only understanding a few phrases like "She took him down" "Suzuki? Seriously? That little girl?"

But by the time she could make out the rest they were already done. Turning back to her.

"How about you come with us? You must be starving right? You live out on these streets, Kid? Need some money?" The first man offered as he stepped closer to her. Instinctively she pulled Shizuko closer.

As the man crouched down, [F/N] felt that same sense perk up again. His feel.. No, His soul maybe. His soul was disgusting and torn, It was horrid and it felt like nails on a chalkboard to her.

But it didn't feel dangerous.

Not like the dead man, This one had no intention of harming her or her brother. Not physically at least. It should've deterred her by all means but the promise of money.. That was what she could tell.

So she picked Shizuko up, Hoisting him over her bloody shoulder making sure to support his head as she stumbled over to him. Still petrified and muddled from what had happened but it didn't stop her as she walked over to him.

The man lain a hand on her back and her forward towards the group, Signalling them with some kind of hand gesture. They turned and started to walk out of the alleyway, Marching towards the moonlight shining on the outside.

She followed them, Too confused to understand what was happening as she cradled Shizuko close. Her only sense of comfort as she made her way forward with the man behind her leading the way.

The blood stayed stained on her kimono, Dripping down her head and in her hair. The lifeblood of the man she had slaughtered drenched her, But not just her body now.

That one single scene from the river, The sword against the throat of her siblings. The way she had felt for every single one of them.

The way she could no longer see the face of the man behind the blade, But instead her very own.

Next Chapter

#yandere #yandere x reader #tw yandere #yandere x you #demon slayer #moodboard #kny #kimetsu no yaiba #demon slayer kimetsu no yaiba #demon slayer fanfic #demon slayer x child reader #kokushibo x you #yandere kokushibo x reader #yandere kokushibo #kokushibo x reader #kokushibo #Kokushibo #kimestu no yaiba #kny x reader #demon slayer x reader #yandere platonic kokushibo #yandere platonic #upper moons #kokushibo x y/n #kokushibo headcanons #demon slayer shinobu #kny x you #michikatsu tsugikuni #michikatsu x reader #kny michikatsu

[angelic-dew]

yandere gyutaro headcannons !

✧༉‧₊˚୨ 🖇 ୧・request; " I really liked your yan kokushibo headcannons, can I get akaza, doma and gyutaro next plss?? "

✧༉‧₊˚୨ 🪴 ୧・author's note; here's pt. 2!! as promised :) If you want to view akaza's click here, to view kokushibo's click here. next up should be inosuke then doma! i lowkey made gyutaro sound like the joker lmfao

✧༉‧₊˚୨ 🍃 ୧・ pairing; gyutaro x g/n reader! {you/your pronouns!}

✧༉‧₊˚୨ ✖ ୧・trigger warnings; manipulation, isolation, kidnapping, stalking, vague mentions of physical abuse, psychotic behavior, possessive nature, jealousy, abuse of power, love-bombing and grammar errors. If you are sensitive towards any of these themes please dni for they will be mentioned. {proofread.}

⚝. Just a reminder I don't tolerate nor do I encourage the following topics in reality; I like keeping it strictly to fiction.

꒰🪴꒱. Gyutaro is mesmerized by you. You were simply a treasure that needed to be preserved from the harsh reality of this cruel world. He couldn't lose you to the others who were out to get you for their own selfish desires and needs! The others only wanted you to suffice their own egotistical needs of theirs, they didn't care for you. They didn't for what you were. They only needed you for their own purposes, afterwards, they would simply discard you as if you meant as little as a speck of dust. A germ. An imperfection.

꒰🍃꒱. Well, that's what he thought about the others around you - so despicable and disgusting. They always reminded him of his past, when he was weak, feeble, a good-for-nothing, a useless, ugly child. All he wanted was to protect the ones he loved; his precious sister, Ume. He'd risk his life just for her, she was his everything and the only one who didn't frown upon him.

꒰🪴꒱. Unlike his fellow demons (Kokushibo + Akaza), you two never actually encountered eachother. It was more of a love-at-first-sight situation honestly. While at the Entertainment district one faithful night, he saw you from the shadows whilst Daki was busy capturing more victims to add to the food supply. You were walking and minding your own business as his eyes sage-green eyes glowed almost perfectly in the darkness which he watched from, a soft orangey umber lightly glistened to compliment his pupils. Those eyes followed your every move and trait you exhibited right there and then.

꒰🍃꒱. Gyutaro found you rather intriguing. Something radiated off of you, and that something wrapped him around your pinky. Was this some kind of spell of sorts? You were so alluring! But again, you were human. Those same disgusting creatures which he utterly despised. They could be so cruel. So unforgiving with no compassion for those in a position lower than them. He wanted to get away from you; you could've been of the same breed, a repulsive soul.

꒰🪴꒱. Surely, that could potentially be the case, however, why would he be so captivated by you if that were to be true? It didn't add up! He hasn't felt this way towards anyone but Daki; and it's safe to say, she isn't human. Not anymore at least. However, this felt stronger and it had more of a certain grasp on him than previously thought. What was he doing being so caught up with a simpleton?

꒰🍃꒱. He kept watching. The further you walked into the district, he began moving from roof to roof, still keeping himself hidden but still able to sneak glimpses of you. Your hair swayed in the chilling gale as an angelic smile plastered itself along your face, he watched how your face crinkled from your smile. It was so adorable.

꒰🪴꒱. He blushed. The heat was ever so slowly rising to his face as he kept watching you in all your beauty, you were a natural charmer, possibly. Gyutaro had never been so caught up with someone let alone a human like this before! But it could've been petty feelings due to the given moment. It wasn't a puppy crush after all, he would most likely never see you ever again. Yet, that was something he didn't want to happen.

꒰🍃꒱. He was so torn between letting you go or keeping you for himself. He is a bit selfish. As the night was still young, he took this time to his advantage. Meticulously taking his time to watch you, looking about to see if you talked to specific persons, your interests? Maybe even mannerisms and habits you exhibited at the time. Honestly, he did find you a bit strange even if you had him head-over-heels. Yoshiwara was known for sex work and having many prostitutes; who knew what you went there for.

꒰🪴꒱. Hours upon hours went by, it felt like mere minutes to Gyutaro. At that time, you've already done your business at the district and was focused on making your way back home. He couldn't lose you like that! Not after you captured his attention that is. He needed to know more about you to know you inside and out.

꒰🍃꒱. He finally made up his mind. He was going to follow you home; so creepy! But he did what had to be done. He followed you from afar still keeping you in his line of sight and made sure to remember where you lived. He had to retain that information, it's not like he'd see you often at the district.

꒰🪴꒱. Within a matter of 2-3 weeks, he observed your routine. Likes, interests, habits, eating patterns, sleeping patterns and all. Keeping tabs on you nearly always (when he could at least). The nights were spent with him carefully peeking through your window, watching your chest rise up and down as you slept peacefully, unaware of the green eyes resting themselves on your figure.

꒰🍃꒱. I am a firm believer that the demon tends to take things of yours just before you head to bed/not in the room at the time. He's sneaky and cunning with it as well; only small stuff though! Things such as a small fragment of clothing or trinket in your room that still has lingering touches of your scent. Something not so detectable.

꒰🪴꒱. As for rivals, he'd never dare to hurt them well maybe one or two, but what's one human less? Gyutaro is more of a person, well demon, to sulk in his own mind and overthink that'd you'd always prefer that person over him; after all he's an ugly, pathetic demon. That's all he is right? He just hates the thought of you belonging to another besides him.

꒰🍃꒱. It doesn't take him long to inform Daki of his new found strange behavior (sneaking out at nights all the time). And she is astonished, he older brother having a crush over someone? They must be great. If only it was a simple crush and not a full-blown obsession. However, as soon as Daki hears it's a human she's partially skeptical over this whole situation, yet she wants her beloved brother happy. Even when he rants for ages about you like a fangirl.

꒰🪴꒱. Honestly, it doesn't take him long to finally take you as his own; with the help (and permission) of Ume of course. He truly cannot withstand seeing you interact with those others. Who knows what their intentions may be? And after so many years of pining after you,, he needs to feel you. Just feel the soft warmth of your skin against his for once, his only wish.

꒰🍃꒱. At last, he took you to your new home! where he and his sister resides at the district. He felt so ecstatic that you're finally near him, now he doesn't have to make it a chore to find you every night. Isn't that great? You'll be right next to him every second of every day! In contrast to Gyutaro, Daki seems to be harsher towards you. Don't get me wrong she likes you, for her brother's sake, but you're a mere human. You better not try anything with her brother.

꒰🪴꒱. As expected, when you awoke you would freak out. Both of them would obviously have to explain themselves, more importantly, your fanboy had to. He was nervous and jittery, being in your presence sent him sky high! But he wasn't the most - good looking; he knew this well and clear.

꒰🍃꒱. Therefore, he opted to win you over with gifts. Maybe have Daki go and get you a nice outfit to suit your beauty, how about flowers? Many people like that! A home-cooked meal? Well he usually eats his meals raw.. but will try just for you! He just wants to have your love all to himself. Tying you up and night or holding you tightly within his arms. Sniffing at your hair and eagerly cherishing your scent. Wishing for you to be his yet doubt lingered in the back of his mind. It hurts him. Please, don't try to even fight back; it will not end well, especially if Daki is around - she can be ill-tempered.

꒰🪴꒱. You better get used to your new normal. It's not changing for even a moment.

© angelic-dew, please don't translate or reclaim without permission <3

#headcanon #yandere #yande.re #tw: yandere #yandere demon x reader #yandere demon slayer #yandere gyutaro #gyutaro #kny x you #yandere kny #kimitsu no yaiba #tw: stalking #tw: mental health #tw: long post #ahhhhh its done #demon slayer #demon slayer hcs #demon slayer x you #demon slayer kimetsu no yaiba #demon slayer fanfic #kimetsu no yaiba

[colourstreakgryffin]

Hi can request a not-yandere Yoriichi X Dying! Reader? Reader got a terrible illness that basically has no cure and they lay in bed losing all motivation to do anything while the illness slowly takes away their life. When Yorichi came to visit them again, they were gone and there was only an empty bed. (means they are already gone/dead.)

(A bit about Yoriichi and reader's past, reader is one of Yoriichi and Michikatsu/kokushibo's childhood friend and was friend with them until reader dies, reader was always there for Yoriichi whenever he is in a rough time/shape and always comforts him like when his mom died, Uta and his unborn child died, Michikatsu gone and more. Yoriichi fell in love with reader a few months after Uta died but never confessed. Reader got their ill a few months after Michikatsu became a demon.)

Aaah! That’s sooooo sad! Why Yoriichi, he doesn’t deserve more pain! But okay, okay. I’ll write this as I cry

Tsugikuni Yoriichi- Terminal Heartbreak

The only thing Yoriichi could lay his eyes on was a empty, hollow futon with the blankets flipped back. The house the futon belonged in was just as dull and lifeless. It broke his soul as he slowly approached the futon, kneeling down and sitting on his knees before it. He just stared down at the creased cooling fabric as his eyes swelled in tears, unable to keep himself composed any longer

First his beloved mother disappeared from his life, his incredible wife and unborn child was taken away, his brother abanonded his humanity to turn to the darkness and now, you can’t even be here for him to say goodbye to… why was this world so cruel to him? You were with him from the very beginning, even as childhood

You weren’t necessarily either of the Tsugikuni Twins’ assigned bride. No, your parents are extremely wealthy and have been business partners with the Tsugikuni family before you were even born. Throughout most of your childhood, you were pretty healthy and kicking but then. Tragically, you contracted a strange disease your hysterical parents couldn’t find the cure for and you were truly dissipating each day. It got so bad that it drifted your past closeness with the Tsugikuni Twins

Michikatsu was furious, you couldn’t play with him and Yoriichi like you use to. You were basically useless in this state and it drove him away whilst Yoriichi stayed. He never left, he never walked away. He sat besides you and did everything he possibly could for you, as he grew up, he was determined to try find… something to help you. Every disease has a cure, they’re must be a cure! Yoriichi always told himself before he tucked you into bed and left the house to continue his fruitless search

In exchange, you adored Yoriichi. He wasn’t that rotten selfish anomaly Michikatsu made him out to be, he was a pure loving man with a golden heart and your view never changed, despite how bad your condition grew. Even though you could barely walk, you always got up to be besides Yoriichi, you basically crawled your way to him when he founded the Demon Slayer Corps and you were there to defend him when he ran into Kibutsuji Muzan but failed to dispose of him

Yoriichi, despite being married to the lovely woman Uta, felt himself falling deep in love with you. It was wrong, he knew it. Especially since he lost Uta and his unborn child only a few months ago, but he can’t help himself. You were one of the first people who ever truly loved Yoriichi, and the fact that you’re gone now hurts his soul tremendously. He can’t do anything to save you, he always did everything right… on his first try!

Yoriichi always suffered and suffered and suffered, and for what did he suffer for? Everything he loved in his life is taken away from him and it’s growing unbearable, is he really suppose to be with anybody? Illness takes away all the people he devotes his life too. It seems that he is a plague among people and anybody who associates with him will end up dead or immoral

Yoriichi stared at the empty futon silently, his calloused fists curled up on his own thighs as his kind screamed at the outrage. Why couldn’t he save you? Your sickness ruined your life and it took away your will to continue forward with genuinely living, to do anything as you laid down and stared blankly. Yoriichi could tell how much you struggled and his heart broke for you over and over

If he could, he’d trade places with you. He’d happily die for you so you could walk and run outside freely with no problems. He’d be livid to give you the freedom of perfect health again… but he just can’t. Yoriichi gave up on medley hopping you’d return back to your home, anytime you came out, he was by your side and helping you. He left for a few hours and your gone, nobody has helped you. He doesn’t know where you could have gone

Yoriichi does want to look for you, you could still be alive somewhere but then again. You could have taken the easy way out when his back was turned, to get away from all the pain your illness tortures you will. He wouldn’t be able to stop it if he wasn’t around and that could be the case as he gently grabs the futon blanket, lifting it to his chest whilst tears poured down his defined cheeks

He couldn’t keep himself together any longer as he cried, his head dropped down to brush over the blanket as his heart shattered before him. Yoriichi fell into a deep slumber by the futon, he cried himself to exhaustion as his emotions were truly haywire now. It was too early. You left him too early… he never even got the chance to tell you…

That he loves you

#kimetsu no yaiba #demon slayer #anime and manga #kny imagines #short story #kny characters #tsugikuni yoriichi #yoriichi tsugikuni #kimetsu no yaiba yoriichi #demon slayer yoriichi #kny yoriichi #kimetsu yoriichi #yoriichi x reader #yoriichi tsugikuni x reader #yoriichi angst #angst shit #kny angst #demon slayer angst #romantic short story #romantic #angst short story #this is toooo saddd #help me #i’m crying

[echantedtoon]

In The Moon's Shadow (Yandere Kokushibo x Reader) Ch16 Epilogue

Hey everyone. I just wanted to thank everyone who read this far and liked my story enough to read it to it's end. I had a lot of fun writing it and it makes me happy knowing some people loved it enough to read it fully. If you liked this consider checking out my other works. Thanks to everyone for reading this, faving it, or leaving a nice comment. And thank you to Koyoharu Gotouge for creating such wonderful characters and giving me the opportunity to make this wonderful story.

EDIT: This lady chapter might be really short so apologies for that.)

The earth was a beautiful thing if you needed it to be, or if you wanted to make it become that way. And in a way, it was both to you in the end. The sweet smells of flowers and grass encouraging your lungs. Combined with the warmth of the sunlight warming your muscles and urging them on. Both made you feel as light as a feather on your mere feet and the ground felt soft under you. You were smiling. Arms out splayed against the wind blowing around your hair like crazy and cooling your body against the warm sunlight beaming down on you. The warm breeze soothing over the trees swaying branches and rustling leaves on the warm summer's day.

A soft coo gurgled out. Wide purple eyes blinked in awe at the world above them. The beautiful leaves rustling catching attention of the big sparkling dark eyes. A gift of mahogany hair poking out from a bundle of sheets laid upon a soft patch of grass and flowers. Little hands reached out towards the air as a few leaves fell from the branches above them. 

"Hey." A smiling face and soft turquoise eyes peered down at the baby. "Did you wake up from your nap?"

As soon as the baby saw their brother they squealed out. Kicking little legs and waving their arms until they were picked up and held by the teenager who smiled at them softly.

"Muichiro, you're holding them wrong!", another teenager identical to the first frowned. 

"I am not! I'm holding them just fine!" Muichiro frowned back and turned slightly with the baby in his arms. "And keep your voice down! We're supposed to helping Father take care of our siblings today so Mother can have a break!"

"Fine. Then let me hold them." Yuichiro held out his hands expecting his twin to hand over their baby sibling. "It's my turn to hold them anyways."

Muichiro frowned and turned further away. "No! You got to hold them all day and rocked them to sleep! It's my turn!"

"I'm the oldest! Which makes me more responsible than you! Hand them over!"

"We're the same age which makes me as equally responsible!"

The twins continued bickering on much to the amusement of the baby in Muichiro's arms that giggled at their older brothers. You smiled amused at the sight of three of your children. Now..where was the forth?

"I DON'T WANNA BATH!!"

Your head turned as a black haired blue approached. Two pairs of footsteps quickly approaching before the door slammed open and a small figure ran out heading right towards you. Behind the blur was an annoyed looking man.

"You will come here at once!"

"NO!!"

You could only smiled amused as your four year old toddler came running across the yard and towards you with an annoyed demon hot on his tail. The black haired boy bolting out of the house arms outstretched before he skidded to a stop right next to you and dove behind your legs. Amused you looked behind you as the little boy scowled from behind your legs at his father who stopped in front of you looking annoyed at the game of chase. 

"You come out from behind your mother this instant," he demanded firmly pointing at the pouting toddler.

"NO!!"

"Respect your father!"

"NO!!"

He turned to grab the child only for them to duck the other way and attempt to run around you and get away. Unfortunately the demon was faster and in the blink of an eye snatched the toddler up with one hand. The boy squealed out kicking and pushing at the large hands holding him.

"No, Daddy! No!" He furiously pushed against the older man cheeks puffed out in a pout. "I don't wanna bath!!"

The demon only groaned face completely deadpanned and holding up his squirming son. A tired sigh leaving his mouth but snapped quickly to annoyance at your giggling. You couldn't help it. Seeing your husband parent his sons was quite the experience.

"It seems you're getting the hang of parenting toddlers."

"You are lucky I don't have you try to bath him yourself."

"Today's my day off." You stared matter of factly crossing your arms. "But it's fun watching you handle two teenagers, a toddler, and baby all at once. I'd even say you're doing a great job."

He sighed again adjusting his hold on the pouting child. "It's a learning process throughout but it is hard to manage sometimes."

"You're the one who wanted more children, Michikatsu," you pointed out to him. "Remember? After you married me and begged for a bigger family."

He huffed. "Of course you would remind me. Although.." He smiled. "I do not regret that choice. My brother sent me a message the other day. He wants me to bring my entire family to visit his "

"I think it would be better if he came to visit us instead. I don't feel like going back there."

"I understand. I wouldn't want anymore suiters near you.  After all.."

You blinked as he leaned over. A kiss placed gently to your forehead making your four year old stick out his tongue. "Ew! Cooties!"

"You are mine. These children are mine. My family is my own and I will not have lose their love again."

#demon slayer #kimetsu no yaiba #kimetsu gakuen #Kny #yandere kokushibou #kokushibo x reader #kny kokushibo #kokushibo #kokushibou #yandere kokushibo #yandere michikatsu x reader #yandere michikatsu tsugikuni #demon slayer michikatsu #michikatsu x reader #kny michikatsu #michikatsu tsugikuni #yandere kokushibo x reader #in the moon's shadow

[myslvtwritings]

𓆩♡𓆪 Welcome to my blog 𓆩♡𓆪

Hello there:) my name is michelle and i’m 19 years old. i’ve been using tumblr for a long time now. I actually used to write but i stopped doing it awhile ago. however, i’ve decided to give it another try! I remember i stopped awhile ago because i wasn’t as passionate about it. plus, i wasn’t feeling so great and that was the very reason why i quit temporarily.

Currently, i am insanely hyperfixated on demon slayer! i’m mostly obsessed with the KNY demons so this blog is for my demon lovers/simps! i’ll be writing for only the demons because those are the ones i’m most passionate about. Don’t get me wrong, i adore all the characters endlessly but i can only see myself writing for the demons right now. So if that isn’t your preference then please kindly leave and don’t bother hating. As for my lovely demon lovers feel free to stay and send me requests in my inbox!

I’m still (sorta) new at this so my sincerest apologies if my writing/grammar is crappy in any shape or form!!

☆ Characters i will be writing for ☆

- Muzan kibutsuji

- Kokushibo

- Douma

- Akaza

- Hantengu clones (Sekido, Karaku, Aizetsu, & Urogi)

- Gyutaro

- Daki

- Enmu

- Lady tamayo

- Nakime

〖 Rules 〗

-okay so just going over some basic ground rules because this part is required.

-please do NOT spam my inbox! it’ll just stress me out further and only compel me to not wanna write anymore.

-i will not do ships! (ex; character x character) only x readers! (ex: character x s/o)

-i prefer to do preferences/imagines/headcanons but i’ll do short stories(one shots) as well! however, those take more time to write.

-i will write about the ideas that get submitted that i like the most. please don’t take this in the wrong way but i’m only writing for what i know how to write about if that makes sense?

-also, minors aren’t allowed to interact with my NSFW posts.

-PLEASE SPECIFY WHAT YOU WANT WHEN YOU REQUEST! and please specify whether you’d like it to be NSFW or SFW.

-if i haven’t done your request please do not take it to heart! i only write for what i know how to write for, you know? i hope that makes sense!

-I will do my best to complete every request i get! It takes me time to write because unfortunately life gets in the way but please do not mistaken me for giving up! I will get it done in my own time.

-writing is a hobby of mine. something i want to do to help me relax and feel comforted. i’m not too keen on making it feel like a chore or a job i hate. i will write for whatever i want and do whichever request i feel motivated to write for. thank you!

➤ what i’m comfortable writing;

NSFW/SFW (i won’t be doing NSFW for Daki)

Fluff/Angst (I love writing these)

Violence (i’m okay with this jus nothin’ too crazy💀)

Yandere!Characters (Then again just nothing TOO crazy)

Gore (this is demon slayer we’re talking ab so gore is okay obv)

self harm (for comfort purposes only! i won’t be glamorizing/romanticizing it)

Poly relationships (ex: character x character x reader)

I will write for fem, male, trans & GN reader! (i want everyone to feel included, plus it’s fun to write for all)

i’ll also write for child!reader but only platonically.

I will not write full-on smut fics. (simply because i’m terrible at it and i have zero motivation for it) But i can do spicy scenarios or NSFW headcanons!

➤ what i’m NOT comfortable writing;

Pedophilia/underaged/incest (obviously💀)

Non-con/rape/SA/grooming

Suicide (i can write fluff fics where it’s only suicidal thoughts and the characters help the reader but that’s about it.)

pregnancy/birth giving (nothing wrong w it js makes me uncomfortable)

Mother or Father reader. I’m not the best at writing domestic stories like that.

non-sexual Age regression. (nothing wrong with it, it’s just not what i prefer to write about)

necrophilia/foot fetishes/age-play/vore/any weird kinks in general. (you get what i’m saying?)

Daddy kink (i just can’t take it seriously lol)

Smut fics/stories for male!reader (I identify as a woman, so writing a full porn one-shot for a male reader would be a bit awkward in my opinion. But i can still do headcanons)

In conclusion i won’t be writing anything that’s offensive or highly controversial or flat out problematic! however, my writings will contain somewhat dark topics and that’s about all. but i won’t go overboard with anything. (i’m sure you understand)

Feel free to leave me requests though!! i am sooo desperate‼️ i don’t bite so don’t be scared lol

ANYWAYYY that’s about everything. bye-bye :))

#demon slayer #kny #kimetsu no yaiba #demon slayer manga #kimetsu anime #kimetsu no yaiba anime #kimetsu no yaiba manga #demon slayer anime #kny demons #demon slayer demons #upper moons #lower moons #kny upper moons #kimetsu manga #anime #anime manga #muzan kibutsuji #kokushibo #akaza #daki #gyutaro #douma #nezuko kamado #hantengu #hantengu clones #sekido #karaku #urogi #aizetsu #demon slayer x reader

[tinandabin]

Hellooo I saw your request are open my eyes literally sparkled! Anyway. can I request a Yandere Kokushibo X fem reader where the reader escaped Kokushibo after months of being caged from his grasp,( this is where the timeskip go). Two or three years later Kokushibo managed to find her again not until he noticed a child who looks human but has demon powers (Half Demon) you can continue the rest THANK YOU I LOVE YOUR WRITING 🥰

TYYY AND IM VERY SORRY FOR THE WAIT!! I hope u enjoy this. <333

Thank Muzan for the first time ever because he has sent Kokushibo on a long mission. A LONG ONE. NO JOKE.

You would fucking kiss Muzan's feet without hesitation if you see him. For once he is a saviour.

And of course no one likes to be trapped like a caged bird, like bro, you are tired of eating raw fucking carrots everyday because that is all that shitty Kokushibo can manage. He can barely get you clean water and he says that he would bring the stars for you /j.

Of course, you will take this golden opportunity. No more being scared. KOKUSHIBO ISN'T YOUR FUCKING MOM. MAN UP.

And so you started using your brain, higher than Einstein could, to break the fucking complex shitty lock-system that rat-assed hair man left.

I swear your brain hasn't brained so much in like, 7 hours 37 minutes 28 seconds.

What you didn't realize were the horrors that awaited you in the future. Not now though, you were busy eating flowers.

Skip to Kokushibo finds you escaped, rage-quits, goes through the 5 stages of grief and searches the whole milky galaxy for you but somehow doesn't search one small village. Typical Kokushibo to forget to search one village!

5 months later, your belly has popped, like really popped, like a balloon.

I don't know how to describe pregnancy forgive me.

Fast forward to you giving birth in horror to that half-demon child who literally tried to chomp your leg but whew, thank God and not that dumb fucking Kokushibo that the child, or newborn, didn't have teeth at the moment.

You raised the cutie, very dangerous, has killed multiple rats 👍. Villagers always come screaming to you like, "[NAME] THERE ARE RATS IN MY HOUSE HELP MEEEEEE" and your child darts out like Sonic and somehow murders all of them and eats them and no blood is left. You are known as the 'Rat-Killer Lady.' When it is actually your child.

Okay, I have bullshitted enough. Someone stop my hands from typing this much bullshit.

Anyways, Muzan, Your Saviour, decided he didn't want to be your saviour anymore and sent Kokushibo to that one small particular village where you resided.

And we all know what happens next.

Can we get applause for me getting here.

Thank you.

Kokushibo, being Upper Moon 1, obviously sensed the half-demon child. How could he not, when he could smell his own blood in it? And yours too.

Of course, you couldn't smell him like he could smell you. ( my goodness, what the fuck. )

So it took Kokushibo no time to sweep you off your feet once again, this time with a kid.

The end.

Cries.

Bye.

MASTERLIST

#demon slayer #kny #kimetsu no yaiba #dark #yandere #yandere demon slayer #yandere kny #yandere x reader #yandere kokushibo #yandere kokushibo x reader #demon slayer kokushibo #kny kokushibo #kokushibo x reader #kokushibo

[nugget-from-neptune]

𝕂𝕚𝕞𝕖𝕥𝕤𝕦 ℕ𝕠 𝕐𝕒𝕚𝕓𝕒

𝙳𝚎𝚖𝚘𝚗 𝚂𝚕𝚊𝚢𝚎𝚛𝚜 and others

Outfit  (Tanjiro, Zenitsu, Inosuke) Their reaction to the reader in their outfit!

Attention  (Genya, Kokushibo, Haganezuka) Their reaction to the reader wanting their attention! 

Protective   (Sanemi, Sabito, Genya) Them being protective of you in public!

Cuddle Bug!  (Tengen, Obanai, Genya) Their reaction to the reader wanting to cuddle them!

Food Pt1 (Giyuu, Mitsuri, Obanai) Their reaction to the reader giving them a cooked meal!

Food Pt2  (Sanemi, Gyomei, Kyojuro) Their reaction to the reader giving them a cooked meal! 

Food Pt3   (Tengen, Muichiro, Shinobu)  Their reaction to the reader giving them a cooked meal!

Protective   (Sanemi, Sabito, Genya) Them being protective of you in public! 

Hug Pt1 (Giyuu, Mitsuri, Obanai) Their reaction to the reader giving them a hug!

Hug Pt2  (Sanemi, Gyomei, Kyojuro) Their reaction to the reader giving them a hug!

Hug Pt3   (Tengen, Muichiro, Shinobu) Their reaction to the reader giving them a hug! 

Cuddle Bug! (Tengen, Obanai, Genya) Their reaction to the reader wanting to cuddle them! 

Cold Pt1  (Giyuu, Mitsuri, Obanai) Their reaction to the reader being cold in the middle of the night! 

Cold Pt2  (Sanemi, Gyomei, Kyojuro)  Their reaction to the reader being cold in the middle of the night!

Cold Pt3  (Tengen and Muichiro)  Their reaction to the reader being cold in the middle of the night!

Bubble Beam! (Tokito Twins!) Tokito twins reaction to sister reader running away because of insecurities. 

Hypnosis! (Shinobu) Stressed Shinobu getting hit by hypnosis by demon reader! 

Feather Dance! (Sanemi) Sanemi reunites with sister reader but will it end well? 

Fairy Lock! (Yandere Tokito Twins!) They don’t want Traveler reader to leave them so they will make you stay, like their own little fairy who has been locked away.

Aromatic Mist (Sanemi) The type of boyfriend Sanemi would be...

Aromatic Mist (Muichiro) The type of boyfriend Sanemi would be...

Pain Split (Kyojuro) Demon reader sacrifices themselves for Kyojuro during the Mugen Train fight! 

Liquidation! Pt1 Hashira share an umbrella with you

Take Heart Getting in a fight with them

Attention  (Genya, Kokushibo, Haganezuka) Their reaction to the reader wanting their attention!

𝕋𝕨𝕚𝕤𝕥𝕖𝕕 𝕎𝕠𝕟𝕕𝕖𝕣𝕝𝕒𝕟𝕕

Dormleaders

Leona x Child MC (Platonic ONLY) Leona stuck with babysitting a child MC . Just some personal HC's I have of him <3

Dorm leaders x Sick! Child MC (Platonic ONLY) Dorm leaders caring for a sick Child MC. With some fluff and Crack

#Kimetsu no Yaiba #kimetsu no yaiba uzui #kimetsu no yaiba shinobu #kimetsu tomioka #kimetsu no yaiba obanai #kimetsu no yaiba x reader #masterlist #demon slayer #demon slayer x reader #demon slayer genya #demon slayer shinobu #shinobu x reader #KNY #kny giyuu #kny x reader #demon slayer giyuu #kimetsu giyuu #obanai x reader #kny mitsuri #sanemi shinazugawa #kimetsu no yaiba sanemi #kny sanemi #sanemi x reader #uzui tengen #muichiro tokito #kyojuro rengoku #demon slayer kyojuro #kimetsu kyojuro #Gyomei Himejima #demon slayer gyomei

[thefiendio]

My Rules and Blog Info :)

Use this post as a guideline for requests, blog activity, my existence, and other notable things

Requests are open.

Basic Blog Info

MOSTLY a NSFW blog, with some SFW posts

MOSTLY a DOM reader blog, however I will write some sub reader

MY UPDATES ARE RANDOM - I am a busy person, sorry if that’s an inconvenience

I try not to have too many reactions outside of writings - irritates me when I go into a blog and can’t find a fic really quickly, and all of the posts are just reactions to comments I PROMISE I SEE THEM THOUGH!!

Feel free to comment and like as you wish - It makes me smile when I see that people like what I write, or take the time to put their thoughts down on one of my posts

BE RESPECTFUL AND KIND - It’s simple and self-explanatory, and it’s also easy to do. Don’t be rude to other people, it’s just not nice and makes other people sad, and I don’t want to make people sad :)

BE A DECENT BEING ON MY BLOG - It’s easy, and makes my life so much easier :)

OVERALL BEHAVE YOURSELF, AND I WILL BE HAPPY

Rules For Requests

What I WILL Write:

ANY GENDER READER, EVEN A READER WHO IS TRANSITIONING (I am AFAB and happy to write for AMAB)

MLM, WLW, M4W, W4M, M4A, W4A, A4A

NSFW

SFW

ANGST

FLUFF

CRACK FIC

COMFORT

HEADCANNONS

LONG/SHORT STORIES

DRABBLE

DOM Reader with SUB character AND SUB reader with DOM character (I prefer dom reader, but I live to please)

Yandere, obsessive, jealous, and posessive themes

Gore, Injuries, and Violence

Mental Health Issues (it might not be accurate with certain ones)

Deaths (Character and Reader)

Character with children

Child! Character and/or Child! Reader

Unfetishized sickness (ex. Character X Sick!Reader or vice versa)

Trauma comfort (or just comfort of any type)

Prank things (Dead prank, Cheating prank, Ignoring Prank, Wiping kisses prank, etc.)

Sadism, Masochism, Pain kinks, Pain related things

Sex toys, bondage

Praise, Degredation, Dirty Talk

Oral, Anal, P-in-V, Cum Eating

Handjob, Blowjob, Titjob, Hot-dogging, Thighjob

Creampie, Breeding kink, Pregnancy Kink

Consensual Somnophilia

Edging/Overstimulation

Marking

Hate/Angry/Jealousy/Soft sex

Semi-Public Sex

Mistress/Mommy/Daddy/Master/Ma’am/Sir Usage

Kinks that do not fall into the ones listed below

NSFW FOR CHARACTERS THAT ARE OVER 18 YEARS OLD (However, I can refuse NSFW requests for any character, no matter the age)

What I WON’T Write:

NSFW FOR ANY CHARACTERS THAT ARE UNDER 18 (I might age some characters up, but it is COMPLETELY up to me)

Piss and Shit Kink

Consensual-Non-Consensual

Psuedo-Incest, Incest

Pedophilia

Disobedience of Consent

Fetishized Sickness (Vomit kink)

Gr00ming

S€xual @ssault (I will write for a reader/character with this trauma, and I will also write the ugly, unsexualized aftermath of it. I will NOT write it while it is happening)

Anything that could relate to the bad things above

REMEMBER: I HAVE THE RIGHT TO REFUSE A REQUEST, EVEN IF IT DOESN’T INTERFERE WITH MY ‘DON’TS’. EVEN THOUGH IT IS UNLIKELY, IT CAN STILL HAPPEN.

CHARACTERS/FANDOMS I WILL WRITE FOR

(If a character from a fandom listed isn’t on here, that means I won’t write for them)

(👎- No NSFW for this character: 🟦- Might be ooc; 🔴- Don’t like writing for this character, but I still will do so)

Demon Slayer/KNY: Masterlist unposted

Tanjiro Kamado

Zenitsu Agatsuma

Inosuke Hashibira

Genya Shinazugawa

Kanao Tsuyuri 🟦

Senjuro Rengoku 👎

Muichiro Tokito 👎

Nezuko Kamado 👎

Giyu Tomioka

Shinobu Kocho

Mitsuri Kanroji

Obanai Iguro 🟦

Gyomei Himejima

Sanemi Shinazugawa

Tengen Uzui 🟦

Rengoku Kyojuro

Muzan Kibutsuji 🟦🔴

Kokushibo

Douma 🟦🔴

Akaza

Yoriichi Tsugikuni

Jujustu Kaisen/JJK: Masterlist unmade

Yuji Itadori

Megumi Fushiguro

Nobara Kugisaki

Gojo Satoru

Geto Suguru

Ryomen Sukuna

Choso

Nanami Kento 🟦

Call of Duty/COD: Masterlist unmade

Simon ‘Ghost’ Riley

John ‘Soap’ Mactavish

John Price

Kyle ‘Gaz’ Garrick

König

Philip Graves

Keegan P. Russ 🟦

Farah 👎🟦

Obey me!: Masterlist unmade

Lucifer

Mammon

Leviathan

Satan

Asmodeus 🟦

Beelzebub

Belphegor 🟦🔴

Diavolo

Barbatos 🟦

Solomon

Simeon 🟦🔴

Luke 👎🟦

More characters and fandoms to be added…

Hope you have fun and enjoy your time on this blog!

#masterlist #blog rules #rules #requests #requests open

[mythixly]

Welcome To Wisteria Café, What Would You Like To Order?

Menu Rules:

When ordering please be specific about you’re order.

I’ll only serve for three characters.

Choose the characters you REALLY want to have.

I have the right to turn down a request if I’m not interested in it.

Characters I will write for:

Kamaboko Squad:

Tanjiro Kamado

Nezuko Kamado

Zenitsu Agatsuma

Inosuke Hashibira

Genya Shinazugawa

Kanao Tsuyuri

Hashira/Pillars

Giyuu Tomioka

Shinobu Kocho

Kyojuro Rengoku

Tengen Uzui + The Wives

Mitsuri Kanroji

Gyomei Himejima

Muichiro Tokito

Obanai Iguro

Sanemi Shinazugawa

Yoriichi Tsugikuni

Swordsmith Village:

Hotaru Hagenezuka

Demons:

Muzan Kibutsuji

Kokushibo/Michikatsu Tsugikuni

Douma

Akaza

Daki/Ume Shabana

Gyutaro Shabana

Reader’s Gender:

The reader will be a female. I am very sorry boys, but I am a girl myself and that is what I am comfortable with. I am also sorry to those who are non-binary, transgender and genderfluid.

What I will write:

Fluff

Angst

Yandere

Comfort

Platonic

Reader being a family member to the character

Child!Reader

What I will not write:

Smut

Incest

Pedophilia if the reader is a child

Character x Character

AU’s ( Modern AU is allowed)

Character x Oc

Poly relationship ( For example: Character x Character x Reader)

Thank you for Ordering At Wisteria Café, Come Back Again!

#Demon slayer #demon slayer x reader #Kimetsu no Yaiba #kimetsu no yaiba x reader #Uppermoon x reader

[trancylovecraft]

(KNY) YANDERE PLATONIC! KOKUSHIBO x SISTER READER: You, Shibou. I, Kokoro (CHAPTER SEVENTEEN)

Previous Chapter ☆♡☆ Masterlist ☆♡☆ Next Chapter

AO3 link

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN: "But it's cool in a weird way that I wish I could be"

Mochi is a Japanese rice cake made of glutinous rice pounded into a paste and molded into shapes. It can be eaten on its own or used as an ingredient in various dishes and desserts.

It is often eaten on new years as a tradition, Being a favoured treat among many.

Women paraded back and forth, All tending to the woman resting within her futon.

His mothers chambers, Michikatsu had been awoken by her cries reverberating through the house during the middle of the night. He had been expecting this, Of course. His mother's pregnancy had been long awaited, Only now had it come to fruition.

It had taken hours, Michikatsu unable to sleep had decided to wait outside of her room, Listening to the wails of Akeno and the feverous support of the midwives hired by his father.

His father, Of course, Was nowhere about.

But finally, It was all over. Though he had meant to return to bed once Akeno calmed down, Michikatsu had decided to stick around.

Though he really could care less about his new sibling, He supposed it would only be right to get a first glance.

So here he was, Stood within his parents chambers.

The midwives took no heed to young Michikatsu who shuffled around awkwardly near the corner of the room. It was barely even early morning, The sky outside shining in a light shade of marigold, The sun barely cracked over the horizon to let it in through the window.

None of them wanted to bother with the young master, All of the mid-wives focusing on his mother who had just given birth.

Akeno layed atop her futon, Long ebony hair splayed out around her as she breathed in and out, Closed eyes as she tried to catch her breath.

What loose satiny bedwear she wore was splayed out, Especially at the chest to make way for the new-born resting upon her skin. They were freshly washed, Cleaned of all the grime from her birth.

Michikatsu could barely make them out, Mostly due the the cerulean blue of cloth she was swaddled in.

"Michikatsu.. Come closer."

Michikatsu blinked, Looking towards his mothers face to find out she had finally noticed he was in the room. She breathed, A small yet exhausted smile on her face as she turned to face her eldest son.

Michikatsu obliged, Slowly walking forward amongst the pandemonium of midwifes still hustling about. Almost nervously he approached his mother before him, Who smiled up at her son from her futon.

A tired, Yet genuine smile.

"Closer. Do you want to hold her, Michikatsu..?" Akeno asked, Cradling her daughter close to her chest as she looked up at him with a smile. Michikatsu however, Looked down at her with apprehension.

Holding a new-born, A child that wasn't even birthed an hour ago? That itself wasn't appealing, Coupled with the fact that he himself shouldn't even be here right now, His father always saying that he shouldn't bother to interfere with the more feminine matters of the clan.

But he stepped closer anyways, Just as his mother asked.

"Here, Stretch out your arms.. Michikatsu." Akeno said, The baby cradled near her chest was scooped up into her arms. A hand carefully holding her head, The other on her little back to steady her in Akeno's arms.

"Akeno-hime! Please, You must rest!"

Akeno propped herself up, The mid-wives in the room calling for her to be careful as they continued to tend to her needs. Akeno only ignored their concerns, Beckoning her son as she presented his newest sibling to him.

Michikatsu swallowed back his apprehension, An unsure and rather averse expression as he laid out his hands infront of him. Akeno smiled, The baby still swaddled in her cerulean cloth as she was outstretched to him.

She was lowered, Michikatsu's fingers twitched as his palms finally came in contact with her.

"There you go, Michikatsu. Hold her to your chest, Give her support." Akeno said as she watched Michikatsu react to her. He stared down at her, Examining her almost.

She wasn't even crying, Instead sleeping soundly, Cuddled up warm in her blanket.

Michikatsu gulped, Swallowing down that unfamiliar feeling rising in his throat with a slight frown. Nodding slightly at Akeno's words as he brought her closer to him, Resting her against him, An odd warmth starting to come from her.

Michikatsu could barely speak, Only stare down at her resting face. Her little nose, Her little ears, Her big eyes that were shut soundly asleep. Michikatsu could even see a few tufts of baby hair resting on her head. All of it seemed so..

"No, No.. You need to support her head." Akeno corrected, Gesturing towards the baby's head which laid drooped to it's side, Making her little face start to scrunch up. Michikatsu quickly moved a hand to the back of her head, Lifting it up onto his shoulder.

"Uhm.. Like this?" Michikatsu asked, Her tiny body resting comfortably against him as he showed his mother.

"Yes. You're doing amazing." Akeno nodded with a tired sigh as she lowered back down onto her futon, Her weary body needing the rest, Head laying against the fluff of her pillow as she oversaw her children getting along.

Akeno beamed, Watching her children get along, Just like she had wanted.

"Michikatsu, This is [F/N].. She's your little sister." She spoke with a gleam in her eyes.

"[F/N].." Michikatsu whispered.

Michikatsu only rocked her slightly in his arms, Swearing that once her head hit his shoulder, Her breathing grew lighter than it did before. Still fast asleep, Her curled fingers clutched together in tiny fists.

Michikatsu didn't know what to think, Why he even went to hold her in the first place was a mystery to himself. But he supposed he was happy that he did, Though happiness wasn't quite the right word as his emotions were at war with one and other.

Father had always said he shouldn't get involved with gynecian matters of the family, The one's concerning women. Even leading up to the birth of his next sibling, He had warned Michikatsu to pay no heed entirely, As doing such would distract from his studies as the Tsugikuni's next Daimyo.

It was like that with Yorichii too, Unable to speak or interact with him either, But Michikatsu never obeyed that rule too well just as he was doing now.

Michikatsu knew that his father wouldn't be proud, But Akeno very much was as she watched him rock his little sister back and forth, And right now that was enough.

"She must really like you.. You know, I can already tell you'll be an amazing big brother to her. Treat her well.. Understand?" Akeno spoke, Feeling her body start to relax upon her futon, Growing tired once more.

"Yes, Mother.." Michikatsu muttered, Too focused to listen to her words yet his agreement meant all the same. He held her close, Tight as he could without the worry of harming her. Michikatsu tried not to let his smile show through, Though that task seemed much more herculean by the second.

He'd be the best big brother to [F/N], Michikatsu knew.

☆♡☆

[F/N]'s eyes snapped open, Her body jerking, Gasping for air.

The darkness of her room was the first thing she acknowledged, Only the bare outlines made out from within the complete blackness.

Perspiration dampened her brow as she heaved in and out.

Her body was numb, Pins and needles itching in her legs. [F/N] groaned as she raised a achy hand to her head, Swiping the lather off of her brow before thumping it back down onto the mattress.

Fuck, Her visions had returned. This one was unlike the others as it was much more abstract and splotchy, Not unlike a murky pond.

It wasn't much of a vision, But more of a feeling. Though there were glimpses of settings, Women rushing back, Blurry figures who's faces couldn't be made out- All and all it felt more like a sequence of feelings.

What felt like her head resting against the welcoming warmth of a chest, Her body wrapped in something soft and delicate. It was nothing like her other visions where she had full sight of what she was perceiving, No, This was different.

It was weird.

[F/N] breathed, Steadying her breath and calming the drum of her heart. What it meant, She never knew. [F/N] supposed she'd just need to wait and see, To find out what it meant the next night. Or day, [F/N] could never tell when she was in this pit of a hellhole.

[F/N] groaned, Hands aimlessly grasping at the covers to toss them off. Her body was hit with the cold chill of the shrine once they were finally tossed to the side, [F/N] barely shuddering anymore, Having adapted to the gelidity.

She breathed out as her soles of her feet hit the floorboards, Vapour turning to mist. Feeling an itch, She yawned as she raised another hand to the back of her head. Though instead of the fibres of her hair, [F/N] instead felt the solid touch of something cold.

A brow raised.

[F/N] cupped it in her hands, Feeling around before realising what it was.

It was her hairpin, The little rose shaped sapphire with pretty little perals draping down from it. It was clipped into her hair, [F/N] feeling the cool hardened gem under her touch, She hummed.

She must've put it on and forgotten to take it out when she went to sleep..

"Strange.." [F/N] breathed, Still groggy.

Finally scratching the itch at the back of her head, She rolled her shoulders before pushing herself off of the bed. [F/N] huffed, Knowing that Akaza would bother her if she didn't eat. Eyes still heavy, She turned towards the dresser where a simple meal was scheduled to lay.

[F/N] stopped however, Freezing in her place. It was still there, A plate of tempura laid on the table. But it wasn't what [F/N] focused on as her eyes narrowed onto a shape.

It was.. A book.

One with a hardcover, Thick and sure to have a hefty page count, All of it being bound by silver twine. It sat huddled amongst the piles of bowls and cutlery that had been building up for ages now, [F/N] seeming to loose her clean-streak ever since she got here.

But even so, She didn't remember having any kind of reading material here.

"What the hell.." [F/N] muttered to no one but herself as she stepped forward towards the dresser. Floorboards creaking, Her hands reached out towards the periwinkle cover of the book, A colour she could only make out once she grew closer.

She picked it up, Feeling the texture of the hardcover's cloth under her thumb. [F/N] squinted her eyes, Bringing the book up to her face to translate the title through the shadows.

One.

[F/N]'s face scrunched up once she read the text illustrated on the front cover, There was no title she could recognise. She wasn't even able to make out an author, As there was none listed on the cover. Why it was on her dresser eluded her.

One? The title didn't make any sense to her. Was that simply.. It? Or was it saying that it was the first in some mystery series, One with no name and no author to identify it. [F/N] scoffed slightly.

Moving over to the wall beside her bed space, [F/N] figured she might as well skim through the pages. Leaning over to the wall, She lowered down to see the groupings of tally marks behind her bed. Too many to count at first glance now, But she reached over and began to scratch another one in anyways.

As her nail etched away at the rotting wood of her walls, She thought she might as well find somewhere comfortable to look through the book. The courtyard perhaps? It was the warmest part of this entire place, But it had become rather.. Repetitive to always head there. Another thought came to mind, Making [F/N] hum.

The library.

It had been ages since she had stepped foot in there, Only dipping her toes in the shallow end when she explored the layout of The Infinity Shrine (The name [F/N] used for this place to separate it from the proper shrine, Though now defunct)

[F/N] decided that she should probably go check it out further, Besides it would only be right to read some mystery book in some mystery shrine. Another line was finally added to the tally as she retracted her hand from the wall.

Yawning, [F/N] snatched the plate of tempura before turning on her heel and dragging her feet towards the door. She brushed past the rickety old closet, Too apathetic to change out of her nightwear.

[F/N] groaned, Pinching her temple as she lugged the shoji-door open with her free hand.

☆♡☆

It was a beautiful morning, The sun raising over the skyline.

A quaint village sat within the vastness of a flatland valley, Surrounded by a ring of rocky mountainside. Snow-capped peaks to contrast the morning warmth flooding through the little town, The one that only just started to awaken not long ago.

It was beautiful, The scenery straight out of painting.

Tree's abloom in rosy shades of pink flourished from the branches, Swaying in the gentle wind, Their petals detaching and dancing as they fell down onto the timberland grass. A beautiful scent, The subtle sweet of their saccharine invading the senses.

As the oaken wheels of the coach rattled along the pathway, She breathed it in.

Mitsuri was perched at the back, Sitting comfortably on the ledge as she took in the scenery with a smile. Admiring the forestry, Glancing at the birds chirping in the trees and the critters running around.

She had only awoken a bit ago, Her braided hair unbrushed and her eyes still a little heavy. Even so she wanted to enjoy the slight chill of the breeze, The building warmth of the day.

The village of Hiyohara, It wasn't too big but it wasn't too small either. Mitsuri could tell that they were coming near as she could hear the faraway call of quiet morning chatter start to build, Hiyohara starting to come alive.

Mitsuri breathed, Almost drinking in the brisk of the air.

"Ah.. I see you're up, Mitsuri-chan!" Shinobu half-yawned with her patron smile. The backdoor of the coach creaked open as Shinobu looked down at her colleague, The wheels still rattling along the trail.

Mitsuri hummed.

"Yeah, Just thought I'd get some air before we do some reconnaissance! Besides, Look at all the pretty blossoms! Perfect time for a mission, Eh~?" Mitsuri chirped as she gestured to all the flourishing scenery rolling by.

"Mhm! We'll be arriving soon, But I suppose stopping to smell the roses won't hurt.." Shinobu's smile widened as she finally stepped out onto the ledge, Holding onto the door handle for balance as the coach continued to roll along the pathway.

Mitsuri looked away from Shinobu in favour of watching her feet dangle from the coach ledge. She breathed, Letting spring air flood through her lungs. Shinobu in turn joined her to metaphorically smell the roses as she said, Staring off into the forest line beside them.

Mitsuri felt the silence weigh on her like paperweights, Shoulders sagging only slightly as her legs swung back and forth.

Turning back towards Shinobu, She smiled.

"Ever been out around here, Shinobu-chan?" Mitsuri asked, Tilting her head slightly as she looked up at her.

Shinobu shook her head.

"Not this area, No. Only knew about it since it had a few resources I needed." She replied shortly as she continued to stare out into the timberland, Watching the scampering of squirrels and the sparrows.

Mitsuri nodded slightly, Her smile quirking only a bit as she gripped the hem of her morning kimono. She sighed slightly as the wagon continued to roll along the pathway, The tree's becoming much less frequent in favour of valley grass now.

Mitsuri fiddled with her fingers a bit, A smile returning to her face.

"..Shinobu, I've actually been meaning to talk to you. Since Gyomei's still asleep and all, I think this a good time to talk! You know, Girl to girl? Friend to friend?" Mitsuri asked as Shinobu turned back down to face her.

Mitsuri paused, Considering her words.

"..I just wanna ask if you're doing alright, You seem a bit off is all." She said slowly, As if testing the waters. "I don't wanna intrude or anything, But if you need someone to talk to, You know I'm here for y-"

"Ah! Apologies to cut you off, Mitsuri-chan!" Shinobu interrupted as the coach began to rattle to a stop, Shinobu's smile as present as the daybreak sun. "But it appears that we've arrived~!"

Mitsuri blinked, Slightly taken aback at the interruption as she watched Shinobu swiftly turn on her heel and swing the door open. Leaning on the doorframe, She peeked inside.

"Himejima-san! We have arrived, It's time to wake up now~!" Shinobu warbled into the dimly lit cabin, Eyes landing on Gyomei who was sat sleeping upright in the far corner. Too big of a build to lay down, Almost crampt in the coach (Bless the man that made this vehicle)

He stirred, Shoulders rolling as if waxing off the numbness of the night. That was all the confirmation that Shinobu needed as the cart finally stopped in place. Shinobu quietly shut the backdoor, Smiling as she turned to breathe in the revitalising air.

The coach stopped just before the gates that began the village, Horses neighing as they paused in their pathway.

Mitsuri hopped down from the ledge as a smile crept up on her, The village being a resplendent, Almost otherworldly sort of scene.

It seemed rich for a village, The houses lined up on the minor gradient all seemed so well made. Expensive wood that didn't seem to splinter, Plants flourishing from their clay pots where they sat upon the rocky walls.

Along with statues of assorted creatures, Polished and carved, Sitting like decorative guard dogs along. It certainly seemed religious.

An elevated pathway lined with smoothen andesite rocks. The village was nestled by the steep start of the rocky mountainous ring, Beautiful leaves burst over the edges of the house tiles and swayed slightly in the higher wind.

Mitsuri could smell the freshness of the air, The chilled natural feeling in her lungs as she breathed in. Feeling it on her bare skin, Waving her braids back and forth as the wind ran throughout the entire valley, Making everything sway.

All of it, It was all beautiful.

"Kya~! How come I've never heard of this place before! Oh- Isn't this just adorable, Shinobu-chan~!" Mitsuri squealed as she ran to cup the face of a miniature Maneki-neko statue, Mitsuri admiring the little feline and the golden coin it held.

Shinobu suppressed a flutter of giggles with her hand.

"Quite! However I do believe we shouldn't be touching what's not ours.." She chided softly as she saw the statue was sitting on the wall of one of the houses, Rolling her eyes slightly at her antics.

"Oh, Right!" Mitsuri gasped, Jumping away from the statue as her hand retracted from it like hot coal. "Still.. I need to get one for myself- Oh! I wonder if there's any shops around~!"

Gyomei finally stepped out of the side-door, Making the carriage depressed on his wheels as he stepped onto the foot-ledge. He breathed in the air, Hummed before stepping off onto the stony floor as he turned to Mitsuri.

"Focus.. Kanroji-san, We're here on investigations purposes only.. Perhaps if the reconnaissance goes well you can have time to browse around." He said as he took a moment to settle.

"Ah, Right!" Mitsuri squealed, Slapping the burn of her rosy flush cheeks. "Focus, Mitsuri, Focus..!"

"Well I suppose we should start investigating and questioning locals!" Shinobu piped in, A voice lower than it usually was as she looked back and forth for any prying locals, Finding none, She turned back towards the two.

"Remember what we discussed? If anyone asks, You are headed to the next village over and only lingering as a pitstop, Understand? Don't make yourself seem suspicious." Shinobu uttered.

"Right!" Both Mitsuri and Gyomei nodded in unison. That was all there was left to say as Shinobu straightened out her spider-black kimono and speed walk off somewhere into the village, Her light-wood sandals clacking as she went.

Gyomei in turn, Did the same. Straightening out his own stone-coloured yukata, Gyomei breathed in before turning to walk off in the opposite direction Shinobu did, Hoping to cover more ground while doing so.

Mitsuri, Left alone. Grinned as she fixed up her bed-hair braids. Making sure to pay the driver of the coach, Where the village broke into three separate pathways, Mitsuri skipped through the middle.

Determined to get her answers, Both for Shinobu and [F/N]'s sake.

☆♡☆

Akaza couldn't find [F/N].

Akaza's face scrunched up, His nose twitching as he continued to wander around The Infinity Shrine. Usually she would be lingering somewhere in the courtyard, Occasionally dragging her feet somewhere within the hall.

It's not like he had trouble locating people, Usually that is. Akaza's sense for the fighting spirit was often enough to find someone, Even. As even the most mildest of human had at least some spark he could pick up perhaps even from miles away.

But not [F/N], She was annoying like that in the way she had no fighting spirit, At least none that was able to be picked up.

It was different back then, When they had fought upon the roof of the very shrine Akaza was walking through. Back then it was like a forest fire, A roaring, Wrathful sort of spirit that could bring a man to his knees just from minor exposure.

It almost did to Akaza too. He remembered how crippling it felt, How for once in centuries had he genuinely felt shaken to his core. Hair raised straight from his skin and his punches becoming sloppy. Her aura, It was rancid, It was so disgustingly detectable.

If only it was still like that now, It would be almost too easy to locate her.

Akaza's teeth gritted, Hands clenching into fists.

"HEY! Bastard! Where the hell are you?!" Akaza hollered, Irritation simmering in his voice as his voice echoed down old hallway, Terrifying all invertebrates hurriedly scuttling away.

"KOKUSHIBO'S NOT HERE RIGHT NOW!" A muffled voice replied, Seemingly just as annoyed as he was. It sounded not too faraway, Somewhere round the corner and further down the corridor.

Akaza groaned, Muttering curses under his breath as he marched off towards the root of the voice. The box in his hand shook, The floorboards creaking under his weight as he turned the corner. Count on [F/N] to be a pain in Akaza's ass.

He came face to face with double doors, Not one of the shoji-makes but the kind with a silver doorknob and semi-translucent window in the middle. Part of the weird architecture, Akaza couldn't be bothered to care.

He slammed the wooden doors open, A scowl on his face.

"I've been looking for you for ages! Where the hell have you been?!" Akaza hissed

"It warms my heart to know that you were looking for me." [F/N] said flatly, Not taking her eyes off of the book she appeared to be reading as she sat at a desk. Akaza scoffed, Rolling his eyes as he stepped forward.

"What the hell is this place anyways?" He asked. Glancing back and forth the noticeably large room, Noticing it wasn't one he had ventured through before.

"Akaza, How about you look around and then you tell me?" [F/N] groaned as she licked her thumb and used it to turn the page, Face not bothering to turn and look at him, Instead boring into the ink.

Akaza rolled his eyes, Spitting an insult under his breath but ultimately doing as she said.

As he had noted before, It was large. Tall ceilings that seemed to even cut into the second floor. And unlike the rest of the shrine, It was much better lighted. Most likely from the large window peeking out from the end of the room.

Akaza could see out to the docks, The lambent ocean sloshing outside. Though the entire place was still dimly lit, An ultramarine shine rolled off the edges in the room, Giving the entire room a luminescence much more potent than the rest of the shrine.

It would've been wide open if not from the bookcases, Ones that were almost as tall as the ceiling. But what was weird was that they were empty, Webs and dust piles in favour of books. None to be seen, Not on any shelf.

His eyes narrowed.

"A library." Akaza stated, Continuing to scan the area.

"Wow, What an astute observation..!" [F/N] droned on as her eyes intently read the words on the page. Akaza shook his head as he moved forward to where she was sitting, Almost hidden between two of the bookshelves.

"Who shoved you down the stairs?" Akaza remarked with a jeer on his face. Noticing her rather sour behaviour towards him, It was assumedly gonna Akaza in a few minutes if she kept it up.

[F/N] turned to look up at him, Finally prying her eyes away from whatever book she was reading before sighing.

"No one.. Sorry, I just get a bit annoyed when I'm bothered while reading." [F/N] apologised, Glancing back to the book for only a second as she placed it down onto her desk paper down.

Akaza huffed, Free hand moving to push away some of the decorations on the desk.

"Whatever, Here's your food.." He said, Placing the wooden lunchbox . Candles, Ink jars and spare paper side-lined to the edges in favour of the fairly hefty lunchbox, The one [F/N] looked at with apprehension.

"Thanks, But I've kind've already got Tempura." She said, Freehand moving to the other side of the desk where she picked up and presented a plate with untouched tempura, Giving him an apologetic look.

Akaza rolled his eyes.

"Uneaten Tempura." He corrected. "Besides, You'll need all the energy you can get."

Akaza watched as her face scrunch up slightly, Giving him the same look as a kid would do while doing some tedious chore. Akaza was almost ready to tell her off like he did last time, But instead she just rolled her eyes and slumped her shoulders in defeat.

"..Fine, Seems a bit excessive but I'll have it I guess. Don't think you'd let me leave any scraps anyways.." [F/N] sighed.

"Nope. Also got more of the rope you wanted in there, Few more of the nails too."

"Oh.. Yeah, Forgot about that. Really need to start making that rope.." [F/N] muttered, A sort of epiphany-induced look coming over her as she seemed to get lost in thought. Hand wandering, She aimlessly picked up the book.

Akaza huffed.

"You better.." He replied shortly.

He got no response after that.

Akaza watched as she flipped the book back up to face her, Bury her head back into those pages as she hunched over on the desk. [F/N] was out of it, Akaza could tell. Even to the point of momentarily forgetting her own plan of scaling The Infinity Castle.

She didn't really pay attention to him afterwards, Leaving Akaza feeling only slightly uncomfortable as he watched her flick through the book. He could only put up with it for a few moments before deciding to saunter round to her other side.

Sighing, He leant himself up against the wall where the desk was cozied in.

"So.. What are you reading?" Akaza asked, Trying to break the air of awkwardness that seemed to be present around them.

"Some weird old diary." [F/N] responded curtly, Continuing to flick through the pages.

Akaza huffed.

"Looks like a book to me." He remarked as he eyed up the hardcover spine of the book, Examining the blue it was bound in and the hefty page number it was sure to have.

"Looks like a book, Is actually some girl's journal." [F/N] corrected, Slightly flaunting it with the single hand she held it in. "Found it on my dresser and decided to skim through. Don't know how it got there but.. It's kind of interesting so I'll let it go for now."

Akaza frowned.

"I wouldn't, I'd figure out how the hell it got there." He said, Leaning over to take a good scan of the page she was reading.

[F/N] side-eyed him for a second, Glancing back between him and the book.

"..Maybe I just never noticed it before, I'm not exactly the brightest and my room is pretty dark." [F/N] muttered, More to herself than to Akaza as she turned back to the journal. Even she didn't believe it, [F/N] knew it wasn't there before but..

She supposed she just didn't have the energy right now to question it further. Maybe once she choked down the rather excessive amount of food surrounding her, Would she find the will to question how it got there.

She sighed, Feeling the stagnancy in her chest.

Noticing the silence, [F/N] bit her lip.

"..It's about some girl called 'Akeno Matsubara'" [F/N] spoke, Looking up at Akaza without turning her head at all. "Right now I'm just reading about her upcoming marriage to some man. Apparently she was some noblewoman of sorts from the Sengoku period.."

Akaza 'hmphed' before leaning over a bit further, Scrutinizing both her and the pages.

"Sound's boring." He stated simply as he read a few lines himself, Mundanity being the takeaway.

"Well it's not like I've got much else to read here.." [F/N] sighed as she half-heartedly gestured to the empty rows on the bookshelves, Voice and movement dripping in boredom "If you haven't noticed.. I don't have much to do."

Akaza didn't need to look again to notice the significant emptiness of it all, He felt it in his skin. Akaza huffed, Almost, Almost feeling pity for her. He could leave whenever he wanted, She could not.

Pitiful, That's what she was. Akaza almost debated getting her a few more books to fill the shelve-

CREAK!

Both bodies at the desk jolted. [F/N] quickly slapping the journal down while Akaza instantly shoved himself up from the wall he leant on.

Both on guard, Both of their muscles tensing.

The noise that echoed out, Both knew very well what it was. Akaza especially as he had caused it only a few minutes ago, From him slamming open that door, The creak erupting from the hinges had happened again.

[F/N] swallowed though her mouth was dry, Due to the way they were positioned, They were unable to see the double-doors due to a bookshelf being in the way. [F/N]'s breath hitched.

Was it Kokushibo? He couldn't be here- Not while Akaza was present! He'd catch him-

"Oh, Goddamnit.. Who the hell let you in here?!"

Akaza hissed, Making [F/N] whip her head up to glare at him. But Akaza wasn't focused on her, Only staring at the figure lingering by the bookcase. [F/N] noticing this, Drew her attention towards the person.

And suddenly, [F/N] groaned.

"I could say the same thing about you, Akaza-dono!" Kaigaku stood in his full unshameful glory by the bookcase. His beady, Electric blue eyes glaring into Akaza as he held some kind of basket in his hands.

Though he eventually noticed [F/N], His demeanour instantly softening up as he raised the basket in his hands.

"Oh, Um! [F/N]-sama! I brought you food!" Kaigaku grinned, Holding up a fair wicker of assorted peaches like a cat with a bloody mouse in it's maw. Proudly displaying it as if he didn't see the building mountain of food surrounding her.

If the look on [F/N]'s face could kill, Kaigaku would be a bloody smear across the library floor.

☆♡☆

Skipping along the stony pathway, Mitsuri's blush flourished under the morning rays.

The feeling of the air seeping into her skin, Her braids dancing as she pranced around the expanse of the village-space. It was revitalising, Even though Mitsuri travelled all over, The air here seemed much fresher around here, It was energising.

Though she was focused on her mission to the core, She couldn't deny that she enjoyed the scenery. The architecture of the lined buildings was traditional, All decorated to the nines statues and flourishing in plant life. Hanging from the windows, Potted in clusters by the doors.. Botany thrived.

Mitsuri breathed in the air once more, Though this time she picked up a rather enticing scent. Her eyes lit up, Sniffing the air once more she could definetly smell it now, Much more potent.

That smells good. For the notorious glutton that Mitsuri was, That was the least of her thoughts as she turned on her heel and headed in the direction of that saccharine scent. Mitsuri grinned, An opportunity for both food and investigation.

"Hello~?"

Mitsuri chirped as she peered around the corner of one of the houses, Bright in the eyes as she noticed what looked to be a merchants stall starting to open. A few boxes of assorted items surrounded it, A water filled pot hung over a little ember at the side.

An older man standing behind the counter. He looked up, A kind smile on his weathered face.

"Ah, Greetings! I see you're up rather early!" He commented with mirth as he knelt down to lug a few boxes up onto the stand.

"Oh my! I'm so sorry, Should I come back later?" Mitsuri spoke almost apologetically as she bowed down.

The man shook his head, Instead waving her over.

"No, No! Come sit down, I'll make you something to eat! I'm always happy to serve customers!" He laughed as he started to unbox some of the packages, Waving her over with one hand.

Mitsuri smiled, Praising how kind he was both in her head and out loud as she pranced over to the stool-setup he had at the stand. Quickly sitting down on one of the tall stools, She leaned over on the counter.

"Kyah~! Thank you so much! Apologies, I'm not from around here..!" Mitsuri explained with a smile as the man started to unpack the food from the boxes, Mitsuri now realising that this was a breakfast stand.

Her eyes started to shimmer as she watched him lift mochi-dough from the boxes, Realising that this was where that beautiful smell was coming from.

"I can tell, Would probably remember you from your hair!" The man commented as he placed the roll of mochi-dough down onto the counter. "So tell me, Traveller, What brings you around these parts?"

Mitsuri hummed, Swinging her legs like an excited child as she scratched the back of her head.

"Ah- Was on my way to the next village over but decided to stop here for some food before heading off~!" Mitsuri answered with a grin, Happily keeping up her calm as she chatted to the man.

"Well, I suppose you're in at the right time! Though, Don't really have the ingredients for much at this time, But I do have some left over ingredients for Mochi. I understand dessert is not ideal breakfast food but.."

"Oh don't worry, That's no problem to me at all~!" Mitsuri cheered much more enthusiastically than she probably should have, Her blush burning like an inferno on her cheeks.

The man chuckled slightly.

"Good to know! Red bean paste fine by you?" The man asked, Beginning to knead the dough with his seasoned hands.

"Fine by me~!"

"Aha~! Umeko, I finally found you!"

Mitsuri's eyes widened as a familiar, Jovial voice called out from behind her. Whipping her head behind her, She was met with Shinobu strolling towards them in leisure. Mitsuri raised a brow, Watching as she came closer.

"Umeko..?" Mitsuri muttered to herself, Watching her saunter.

Shinobu's smile widened as she approached, Her glossy eyes meeting with the green of Mitsuri's. A quick look shared between them, It made Mitsuri gasp softly before jerking her head back towards the man.

"Ah- Yes! I forgot to introduce myself, My name is.. Fujimori, Umeko! This is my sister and one of my travel companions, Hina." Mitsuri introduced, Gesturing towards Shinobu.

Shinobu, Her eyes widened slightly at the choice of last name, Before regaining her exterior smile and turning towards the man with a courteous bow. Quickly moving to sit on the adjacent stool to Mitsuri, She beamed at her.

"Aha.. Umeko, I almost lost you there for a minute! You should know by now not to get distracted by the smell of food." Shinobu chided softly as she turned to Mitsuri, The man continuing to knead the dough.

"Aha.. Well you know me.." Mitsuri laughed off, Rubbing the back of her head.

The man smiled as he massaged the dough with his hands.

"I see..! My name is Takashi, Tenko. As you can see, I'm a noticeably passionate chef!" Tenko chuckled as he gestured towards the dough he pressed in his hands, Glancing at Shinobu. "You want some? This mochi is the best in the village, If I must say!"

"Ah.. No, No. I must decline! " Shinobu agreed before looking back towards the busy man. "However, On the topic of this village, I must admit I'm interested! It's a rather beautiful place, Pretty prosperous too~?"

Tenko nodded along to her words, A smile on his face as grasped onto a smaller knife and begin to cut the dough into eighths.

"Suppose so! Business is never slow.. Crime isn't a particular issue here-" Tenko listed off as he reached into one of the box, Pulling out a little bag filled with red paste. "Personally, Everyone here is like family to one and other. We help each other out, It's how we operate! Also the reason why we prosper, If you ask me."

Shinobu nodded as she watched him continue to dice the dough, A somewhat thoughtful smile as she happily sat on the stool.

Tenko chuckled under his breath, His smile broadening only a little wider.

"That, And the faith, That is..!" He laughed slightly, A joke he easily dismissed as he shook his head.

Both Shinobu and Mitsuri perked up at that, Their minds flipped like a switch as both of them got on game. Shinobu especially, His words seeming to catch her fancy as she leaned just a bit closer to Tenko.

"Faith? What do mean by that?" Shinobu asked with a sweet little tune to her voice, Almost sickeningly so. However Tenko didn't seem to mind as he began to divide the paste between the eighths.

"Ah.. This village you see is housed next to some religious group, They work closely with the village and such. We export food to them for a fee.. They come down during festivals, Business usually booms with the extra lot of people around you see!" Tenko explained as he began to roll the dough.

"Oh! How interesting!" Shinobu cheered slightly. "Do you mind telling me more? I must say you've peeked my interest!"

Mitsuri internally sighed as she listened to Shinobu and Tenko idly chat, Despite her elation that they had gotten something from the conversation- Mitsuri was simply glad that she didn't need to ask the questions.

She smiled at Shinobu, Who intently played along with Tenko's words. Mitsuri was never that good with acting gigs, So she was glad that there was someone here that had the guts to do it.

Mitsuri's lips thinned.

Surprisingly well.

Tenko hummed as he started to fold the mochi dough over the filling.

"Can't exactly remember their name but.. I'm pretty sure it's a gathering of Shinto-Buddhist believers. Some splinter group, Actually. Only thing I really remember about them is that they believe in some sort of 'Lotus' thing.." Tenko trailed, Waving his free hand around as if throwing his words to the wind.

Shinobu's eyes narrowed on him, Her lips pursing only slightly.

"And.. Do you believe in their doctrines at all? Any truth to them?" Shinobu asked, Tilting her head.

"Oh, Who knows! Me and my wife have never been particularly religious, But we can't deny the fortune that has came to the village!" Tenko laughed as he finished rolling the dough into little cream coloured chunks.

"Right, I see.." Mitsuri mumbled, Her mind somewhere further off as she listened to them speak.

"I must admit I am rather curious about the faith, You've peaked my interest! Me and Umeko here have always been quite religious, And before we head out again it would be pleasant to go make a few offerings to the Kami we worship! For good luck, And such.." Shinobu said, Eyes not removing from his.

Tenko frowned, Shaking his head.

"Oh, Erm- It's rather high up within the mountain, I'm not quite sure you'll make it up there and down if you want to make it to the next village over.." He said, Slightly awkward now as her stare got just the tiniest bit more intense.

"Our schedule is flexible." Shinobu stated, Her voice holding much more urgency than it did before yet her face stayed the same.

The little cream coloured chunks sat steady on Tenko's palm, His movements paused as he was about to place them in the metallic pot beside the stand. Looking into Shinobu's eyes, His own narrowed.

Mitsuri bit her lip, Breathing in a sharp hitch of that energizing air. It didn't do much to help however, As she wondered if Tenko had decided that something might be up with them. Could he know? Was he involved with this so called cult somehow?

But before long, Tenko raised his hand, Gesturing up towards one of the unfathomably high mountainsides that suffocated the village in a ring.

"Up on the mountains, Over by the north side..! They're a secluded bunch but when they come down for festivals and such, They're rather polite and respectful. I'm sure they wouldn't mind accepting a few offerings." Tenko said, Finally plopping the little mochi balls into the heated water.

Shinobu's smile started to soften, Finally relaxing on her barstool as she laid back.

"I see! I apologise for bothering you so much!" Shinobu said as she bowed her head towards him, A gesture of apologia as she spoke.

"It's alright, I don't mind. Besides," Tenko said, Bending down to pick up a metallic lid and placing it over the steaming pot. "Your food will be ready in about twenty minutes, You can come back later to pick them up if you want to continue exploring the village. Is that good with you, Fujimori-san?"

Mitsuri's eyes widened.

"Oh, Um! How much do I owe you?" She gasped, Chiding herself about forgetting payment as she reached into her obi for the money she stored in there. Completely ignoring the weird look Shinobu gave her as she did.

However before Mitsuri could pull out her purse, A hand softly gripped onto her wrist.

"Ah, Don't worry about it! It's free of charge." Tenko assured, Relenting his easy grip on her wrist with a kind smile. Mitsuri shook her head, Almost jumping up from the stool she was perched on.

"Oh, No! Theres no possible way I can accept this, You've been so kind and helpful.. Please, Let me pay!" Mitsuri implored as she leaned towards him, Her heart aching as she fished out her purse-pouch and presented it to him.

But Tenko just shook his head and smiled, Nudging her purse away from him..

"No, No. Think of this as a welcome to town gift, Besides if you're going to be travelling up the mountain then you'll need plenty of energy! I'll set some extra's on for your journey there too.."

Mitsuri's blush burned bright, Her smile sweet and wide as she looked at him with her trademark adoration. Her hands ran to grasp his, Tenko's eyes widened as he was suddenly faced with the burning up visage of his customer.

She grinned, Pulling him into an over the counter bear hug. Mitsuri's strong grip holding him as tight and as gratefully as she could.

"Thank you so much sir, You have no idea how much this means to me!"

Tenko sighed with a kind smile, Lightly patting her back as he returned the favour.

Mitsuri spoke her goodbyes to the man, Shinobu's following after as they departed from the stand. Mitsuri skipped behind Shinobu as she strode off, Her stride determined as they both headed to find their third colleage, Gyomei.

Mitsuri breathed, Skipping behind Shinobu as they searched for him. The village became more alive by the minute, People starting to venture out from their homes and wander the streets as they went.

Smiling, Mitsuri greeted them all with a chipper tone.

Smiling, Shinobu's pace only quickened.

☆♡☆

"The hell are you even here for? You're not exactly welcome here, You little shit."

"Why I'm here is none of your business!"

"The annoying fucking voice in my ear is making it my goddamn business!"

[F/N]'s brows were knitted as she continued to read the next passage in the journal, Though it felt harder and harder by the second from the constant drone of argument in the background.

Her hands gripped the pages, Needing to restart the same line for the fifth time as she was interrupted again. Her breathing became manual, And if either of them bothered to look closer they would've seen veins start to burst in her forehead.

Kaigaku scoffed at Akaza's words, Nose pointing into his face.

"I think that's just the Tinnitus, Akaza-dono! Oh excuse me for saying, But with how horribly sickly you look, I wouldn't put it past you!"

"Oh, That's it! I'm going to fucking tear you a new on-"

"SHUT UP!"

[F/N] finally snapped, Whipping her head over to the two demons spatting on the other side of the room. Both of them instantly wound their jaws shut once they heard her shrill scream, Both taking glances back from her to each other.

[F/N] muttered curses under her breath as she turned back towards the journal, Her hand sluggishly wandering up to the basket of peaches. The mountain of food surrounding her barely half-eaten as she grasped another ripe peach into her hand.

Akaza groaned, Harshly shoving Kaigaku out of his face who shot him a nasty look. He didn't bother returning it as he waltzed over to [F/N], Who half-nibbled into the punchy skin of the peach with her focus entirely on the book.

Leaning up against the wall beside her, He spoke.

"..The hell are you gonna do about him?" Akaza said lowly, Eyes darting from [F/N] to Kaigaku who lazed against the wall from the other side of the room, Staring them down from afar.

She didn't look at Akaza, [F/N] only continued to nibble on the peach.

"What can I do about him, Akaza?" [F/N] sighed. She single-handedly flipped the page, Taking a rather generous bite into the lush peach in her hand. "He's under Kokushibo, I tell him to leave and he'll snitch." She finally took her eyes off the journal for a second, Shooting him a calm yet irritated look to which Akaza sneered at.

"Oh, Come on. You can read that journal thing later, Don't you think you should be dealing with that brat first? Especially if that thing has actual information about.. You know." Akaza eluded, His voice low and quiet.

Her escape, Those were the words that Akaza meant to say. But she knew he wouldn't dare to speak them while Kokushibo's lap dog was around. [F/N] could see him watching intently from the farther side of the library, Knowing that his enhanced hearing was enough to listen in.

"Yeah, About that training regiment you mentioned a while back." [F/N] lied, Trying to keep her eyes as conspicuous as possible and away from Kaigaku. "Besides, I'll take care of it later, I've got better things to do right now than deal with you two."

Akaza scoffed, Rolling his eyes.

"Like what? Aren't you gonna come up with some plan to get him out of your hair? Come on, The hell you acting so bored for?" Akaza questioned as she watched her shoot him an exasperated look.

[F/N] shook her head. It was none of his business why she felt so lacklustre and he had no right to be questioning her as such. Taking another chunk out of the ripeness of the peach, She shrugged her shoulders.

"Like reading the journal, It's actually getting interesting. Not to mention sleep, It's only been an hour or two since I woke and I'm honestly still a bit groggy." [F/N] said calmly, Yet there was a firm pique to her voice. "Besides, If he was gonna tell Kokushibo that you were here he would've done it by now. Quite frankly, I don't even know why he hasn't snitched."

"He hasn't snitched yet because he's a weaselly little bitch who likes snapping his jaws at the bigger dogs." Akaza retorted, Folding his arms firmly.

"What was that, Akaza-dono?"

Both of them drew their attention to Kaigaku, Who had moved closer in the time that they talked with one and other. That bootlicking expression was prominent on his face, Toothy smile and all.

Akaza didn't like the look of it as he gritted his teeth, Veins almost popping from his clenched fists as he pushed himself up from the wall.

"I said that you're a weaselly little bitch who likes picking fights with people that could bench you like a paperweight." Akaza repeated, Slowly so that Kaigaku could pick up every syllable on his tongue.

He snarled as he looked at Akaza, Kaigaku's claws itching to get to his neck as he stepped closer.

"Just because you consider yourself strong right now, You know you can't attack me." Kaigaku eluded, A putrid memory appearing in Akaza's mind. The warning of how Kaigaku wouldn't hesitate to go run off and tell Kokushibo.

It made him feel weak, Akaza almost rolled his shoulders back in anticipation for a fight.

Though an hand gently, Yet firmly pulled him back by the wrist.

"Can you two just.. Not start another fight? Peace and quiet is a very viable option, You know." [F/N] sighed as she softly tugged Akaza away from Kaigaku, An exasperated expression on her face as her stare bored into the boy in front of him.

Kaigaku's eyes widened, His body jolting as if from a shock.

"Y-Yes [F/N]-sama!" Kaigaku chirped, His demeanour flicking like a switch at the first sound of her words. Instantly the scowl on his face dissolved into that of submission, His eyes focused intently on the woman in front of him.

Akaza sneered.

"Fucking dog.." He muttered under his breath as [F/N] let go of his wrist, The warmth fading on his skin.

"Thank you.." [F/N] sighed as she picked up her half-eaten peach once more, Taking another few chunks out of the fruit. A glint appeared in Kaigaku's eyes as he watched her take a bite.

"..Do you like them? They're handpicked!" Kaigaku asked with a toothy grin.

[F/N] chewed into it, Tasting the punchy lushness of the peach on her tongue as she glanced at him.

"..They're fine, Thank you." [F/N] nodded slightly through her consumption, A bored somewhat monotone reply that seemed to make him wag his metaphorical tail.

Akaza rolled his eyes, Scrutinizing Kaigaku.

"You know.. We're trying to have a private conversation here, Don't you have anything else to do? At all? Neither of us want a fucking rat around." He said which earned him a look from [F/N], Warning him not to start another draining fight.

"..I'm not a rat." Kaigaku's grin got more strained as it turned to Akaza, Most definetly trying not to go for the jugular.

"Erm.. Well I mean, Aren't you? You must be an informant for Kokushibo, Otherwise why would you be here?" [F/N] asked lazily as she watched him turn to her with a sort of quizzical look.

Kaigaku scratched the back of his head.

"Uh.. I wouldn't put it that way, [F/N]-sama! I'd see me more.. As your assistant!" Kaigaku chimed, Snapping his fingers. "Sure I might tell my master a few things, But that's just for your sake! Besides, If you want anything, I'm willing to get you a few things!"

"..I get all that from Akaza, Just without the cons." [F/N] bluntly said, Making Kaigaku's smile instantly drop from his face.

"Exactly, So get out of here." Akaza ordered, An arm raising to point in the general direction of the door, His broken-glass eyes kept focused on the way Kaigaku's face contorted at his verbal contribution.

Kaigaku could barely supress a sneer as he glared at him. How dare he try to order him around when Akaza wasn't even suppose to be here in the first place? It almost surprised him, His lack of good conscious.

The gall he had, Kaigaku thought. If he wanted to survive he should keep his mouth shut.

He 'hmphed', Narrowing his eyes in on him.

"I'm here full time now, Since you revealed my position to my master that means I don't need to watch from afar now. Sorry but.. I'm not going anywhere, Not while Akaza-dono is here." Kaigaku said, Almost smugly as he eyed him up and down.

Full-time? Akaza felt something start to burn in his chest. Remembering the rope still stored in the food crate, There was no way [F/N] would be able to construct it with him around. There would be no way for her to get out and give him his end of the deal.

Akaza sighed, Stepping forward as he pinched his temples.

"..You know what? Fuck it."

"ACK-"

Suddenly a fist slammed into the side of Kaigaku's head, Flesh tearing in two as the top half of Kaigaku's flew off from his jaw.

It slammed against the wall, Splattering ichor everywhere. Blood bursting from both his stumbling body and the half-head flopping down with a wet slap onto the old wooden floorboards.

"Akaza!" [F/N] scolded, Her eyes widening as she glared at the dripping red coming down from his fist.

Akaza breathed an almost relieved sigh as he glanced at her.

"What? The little bastard deserved it." He shrugged. Kaigaku's body stumbled aimlessly before he regenerated, Flesh growing back into his head with those same black tufts drooping from his head.

"Y-You basta- ACK-!" Akaza's fist collided with him again, Shooting another spray of blood across the floorboards and another headpiece against the wall.

"I'm not comfortable with harming children, Akaza. Human or demon." [F/N] stated as she watched Kaigaku's near-headless body stammer and stumble around, Hands grasping at where his missing crown was.

"Brat. How old are you?" Akaza asked as his head regenerated once more.

Kaigaku hissed.

"I-I'm nintee- ACK!"

"Well, He's not a child." Akaza stated as he shook the blood off like dirt from his fists, A sort of ick on his face as it hit the floor.

"..I guess so?" [F/N] shrugged though she still didn't seem satiated, Watching on edge, Shoulders raised as she squirmed at the sight of all the blood splattered and festering on the floorboards.

Kaigaku's body finally wobbled back out of Akaza's range, His feet trying to balance themselves as his head finally grew back up to it's full unglory, An enraged scowl on his face that landed on Akaza.

"Y-You bitch!" Kaigaku stammered out, His face lit up like a flame He growled, Almost like a wild animal as he stomped towards him.

"That's it! That's it- You're fucking dead, Akaza- You're fucking dead! I'm gonna make sure he rips you apart like butchered meat-" Kaigaku ranted off as marched towards Akaza, Almost ready for a fight.

"Oh, You really wanna do this?" Akaza readied himself, Stepping forward as he was ready to throw another punch.

[F/N] on the other hand, Stiffened up.

[F/N]'s eyes finally lit up for a second, That monotone, Dull look started to shake off as she finally pushed herself up from the desk. Akaza whipped his head around to look at her, Eyes wide as he heard her sigh.

[F/N] shook her head, Casually placing the peach down onto the desk.

"Counter offer."

It happened in a single moment.

One second, [F/N] was sat down against the little library desk. The next, The sapphiric pin was unsheathed from her hair, Flicked like a butterfly knife against her neck.

"[F/N]!" Akaza yelled as he watched her pace back away from the two, Who looked at her in absolute shock as she held the firm nichirin silver against her jugular. Her eyes darted back and forth from them.

"[F/N]-sama!" Kaigaku gasped as the oncoming fight was broken up immediately at her actions, Blackened eyes darting towards her.

[F/N] just stood there soundlessly as her eyes dug into Kaigaku, Who stood frozen like a startled stag. It was almost challenging, Her stare. [F/N] holding the pin up like it was nothing to her at all.

She breathed.

"You're not telling Kokushibo anything, Alright? Not if you want this thing to draw some blood." [F/N] stated as she watched him stammer with a furrowed brow, Akaza beside her being prepared to lunge and disarm her at any moment.

Kaigaku gritted his teeth.

"Stop it, D-Do you not have any survival instincts?!" Kaigaku yelled, Shrill and loud as he watched her fiddle with the makeshift switchblade in her fingers, Ready to rush forward at any moment.

"Do you?" [F/N] asked, An almost bored look in her eyes as the silver of the hairpin pressed just a bit harder against the skin of her neck. "You wanna live right? My life is tied with yours, I die you die. So unless you wanna keep your head then I'd stay right there, Alright?"

"Y-You couldn't kill yourself with that thing!" Kaigaku yelled.

"Oh, No. Of course I couldn't," [F/N] agreed, Making him stare in horror/confusion as she spoke. "There's no way I could do any lethal damage with this little thing, Not while you two are here."

"But." [F/N] started. "Even if he doesn't believe me, Kokushibo will have no choice but to kill you off because I mean.. Isn't your job to make sure I stay alive and well? A few 'claw-shaped marks' on the neck should do the job.. So if you don't want your head rolling on the floor, I'd stay quiet."

Kaigaku's eyes were wide and wild, Staring in horror at the woman in front of him. Didn't she have any kind of survival instinct? None at all?! The thought of that was unfathomable to him, So much so that he could barely comprehend the sight in front of him.

There was no way he could loose his leverage here. Kaigaku's fingers shook as he watched her stare bore into him. But what could he do? He couldn't upset her, He couldn't attack her, He had to appease her- Otherwise-

Kaigaku's lip shook as he pried it open.

"..Fine." He spat out, Fingers curling into fists.

"Cool. Now get the hell out of here so me and him can have a private conversation." [F/N] ordered, Pointing towards the door in the exact same way that Akaza did only a few moments ago.

"..Yes, [F/N]-sama." Kaigaku gritted as he swiftly turned on his stiff heel, Breathing unnaturally steady as he marched out towards the door. [F/N] watched him go, A sort of tired look on her face as she watched him go.

SLAM!

And there it was, The crashing of the door that shook the frame of the room. It didn't bother her as she heard his angry footsteps walk out through the hallways, Calmly she stood there, Sighing in relief as she lowered the pin.

She wasn't out of the woods just yet however, As a hand gripped onto her shoulder and yanked her forward.

"The hell was that?! Are you fucking stupid?!" Akaza hissed as he pulled her close towards his face, So close that the saliva from his maw almost got on her face. [F/N] narrowing her eyes, Pushed him back.

"..For getting rid of the Kaigaku problem?" She said as paced back from him, Firmly removing his hand from her shoulder as she stared at him unshaken from the ordeal.

Akaza just stared at her, Looking at her in the eyes. The way she seemed so unbothered by it all, Looking at him like it was nothing.. It startled him. Akaza couldn't even sense how she felt from her aura, Though from the last time he supposed that was for the best.

But still, Akaza gritted his teeth as he tried to find something to say.

"Just- Just don't fucking do that shit, You hear..?!" Was all he could say, The thumping of his dead heart only beginning to calm. [F/N] shrugged.

"Okay, You haven't lost your ticket to number one yet, Akaza." [F/N] said as she sat back down onto her wooden chair, Picking up the peach and munching out a generous chunk of it.

Akaza just looked at her, Almost disgusted by her words. Pitiful he thought, The racing of his heart barely calmed. He watched as she picked up the book again, Going right from where she left off.

The way she acted, It would of been terrifying.

For a normal person, That is.

[F/N] on the other hand began to read again, Skimming through the lines as she singlehandedly clipped the pin right back into her hair. [F/N] yawned as flipped the page, Her placement in the book getting up to the part where this Akeno woman was getting hitched.

Though her eyes glimmered once she landed on a particular line, A memory resurfacing from within the depths of her mind as she read it. Brows furrowing, She read it again. The same result, [F/N]'s breath stopped.

'From this day forward, I am now known as Akeno Tsugikuni'

☆♡☆

"To start off.. I don't think this will work out, Not for me."

Gyomei's voice ruminated throughout the entire room, The confined walls keeping it firmly inside.

Shinobu, Mitsuri and Gyomei all sat around a table within the rented out room of the town's inn. The homely little set up being cosy to the three of them, A few futons laid out to the side with a small table and a few mats being the only furniture there.

Apart from the decorations that was, A few lanterns were lit up giving the room a flickering warm glow. The windows were locked shut, Doors locked and suspiciously eyed from time to time just in case anyone tried to come in.

The faint ember soaked into the skin, Warmth seeping in deep as they sat to converse around the table. The smell of the burning candles inside flooded into the nose, A beautiful scent that Shinobu breathed out.

"I must say that unfortunately.. I agree." She said with a little frown on her face, An almost contemplative look playing in her eyes as she spoke. "Do not take this the wrong way.. But you are a rather sore thumb when it comes to looks and demeanour, Himejima-san. I had hoped we would be able to scout around and skip straight to a fight.. However it's beginning to look a lot more complicated then I had imagined."

Shinobu said as she examined the rather bulky stature of the man in front of her, Him towering above the both of them by a wide margin with muscles large enough to wrestle a bear.

Though effective in combat, It had became all the more obvious as their discussion went on. Gyomei just was not suited for this kind of thing, For a stealth focused mission.

"Ah.. I'm sorry you came out all this way just to be sent back, Himejima-sama.. Are you sure there isn't any way you can come along? Not at all?" Mitsuri apologised as she bowed down slightly, A frown on her face.

Gyomei shook his head.

"No.. From the information we've gathered here today.. The best course of action is for me to stay out of this mission for now." Gyomei concluded with his hands still in prayer. "As much as I would like to go on.. It would not be right."

"Yes, From what we've heard it sounds like it would be tough to convince them to let us in." Shinobu started, Her brows knitted in thought. "I'll send out a crow to the slayers I have on my roster, Hopefully they'll be enough to make up for your absence."

"Aha.. When you said infiltration into the cult, I had assumed that you had meant finding what member was the demon then slaying them! Not playing pretend, Shinobu-chan!" Mitsuri joked, Smile reappearing on her face all the same.

"Yes.. I did too." She sighed as her hand slipped into the satchel attached to her ebony kimono, A thick wisteria-patterned pen quick to follow. "However it seems like we will be playing the long game. Not preferred, However doable."

"I'm fine with it!" Mitsuri chirped, Smiling as she grasped the hems of her candy pink kimono "Might even be a little interesting, You know! Being 'Umeko' was pretty fun!"

Gyomei nodded along to Mitsuri's words, His head turning towards her slightly as he listened on. Sighing, He would most likely need to head back home now, If not take an extended vacation just to stick around if backup was needed.

However Oyataka-sama would get suspicious, Especially if he takes it out of nowhere. Besides, He still had someone waiting at his estate, A rather important conversation needed to be said when Gyomei had nothing to say.

Though Gyomei's brows furrowed, Only for a second. His breath hitched, An idea coming to his head.

"..I shall request a contact of my own.. If that is alright with you, Kocho-san." Himejima spoke, The beads coiling his hands clacking together softly as he spoke. Shinobu looked up towards him as the tip of her pen pressed against the paper.

She hummed, A smile coming upon her face.

"I suppose if you trust this contact to keep this all confidential, Then I see no harm in it!" Shinobu answered, Nodding towards Gyomei before she began to write down upon the paper.

"Now I feel left out.. I don't really have anyone to ask for help..!" Mitsuri laughed as she scratched the back of her head awkwardly, Feeling a bit left out between the two of them together.

"No need to worry, Mitsuri-chan!" Shinobu laughed as she scribed into the paper. "With the people, We have more than en-"

CLANK!

Three heads jerked over to where the door was.

Shinobu shut her mouth immediately, The room going so silent that even the faint flicker of fire could be heard from within the lanterns. Outside, They could hear muffled movement. The stammer of footsteps, The faint cursing of a voice.

Shinobu's eyes darted back and forth from Gyomei to Mitsuri, Mitsuri meeting her wide-eyed stare with one of her own. Both of them shared a silent conversation, Gyomei sharing their quiet talk as they all froze up to listen to more.

Shinobu sat down her pen, Making sure it didn't even make a tap on the table. Silently she pushed herself up onto her feet, Both Gyomei and Mitsuri waiting in anticipation as she began to sneak towards the door.

Shinobu moved quietly, The floorboards that would usually creak did not dare when she moved so swiftly. Her eyes on the silver of the doorknob, The little turn lock below it.

Reaching the door, Her hands moved towards the turn lock. One on the doorknob, Another pinching the lock, Ready to turn.

Mitsuri breathed in, Her hand ready to reach for her sword.

Gyomei stiffened, His fingers subconsciously curling into fists.

"AH-!"

In one swift move, Shinobu switched the lock and wrenched the door wide open. Something thumped against the floor in a yelp, A human shaped girl lying dizzy on the floorboards, Having previously leaned up against the door.

She was mousy, Much younger than the three of them. With blonde hair tied up in pretty little ribbons and a kimono that seemed rather oversized on her.

Though what suprised them the most, Was that Mitsuri and Shinobu recognised her.

Mitsuri spoke first, Her voice terribly shocked.

"..Maika Heihachiro!"

#yandere #yandere x reader #tw yandere #yandere x you #demon slayer #demon slayer kimetsu no yaiba #kny #kimetsu no yaiba #moodboard #kokushibo x you #kokushibo #kokushibo x reader #yandere kokushibo #yandere kokushibo x reader #demon slayer fanfic #demon slayer x child reader #Kokushibo #kimestu no yaiba #kny x reader #demon slayer x reader #yandere platonic kokushibo #yandere platonic #upper moons #kokushibo x y/n #kokushibo headcanons #demon slayer shinobu #kny x you #michikatsu tsugikuni #michikatsu x reader #kny michikatsu

[mouisorange]

☰ Asks — how to send

★ I don’t actively do requests, but I will use them as warm-ups or use them if I’m really into the idea. 

★ Currently accepting requests! Ready to reload and focus on something! 〔 ⅰ. 〕Open to Write & Draw

☰ Accepted

〔 ⅰ. 〕 Yandere — Horror  — Gore — Fluff  — Brain-rots / whatever type of ‘request/ask’ comes to your mind — Non - Explicit Smut / Not SFW — drabbles — concepts — building off of things I’ve written already — etc…

☰ Not Accepted

〔 ⅰ. 〕 Explicit Smut / Not SFW — Explicit Suicide . both the process of it and the act itself — Real Persons . ex-please do not ask me to write something for real breathing people, like celebrities  — Character x Character . this is mainly a Character x reader blog ...

☰ Please do not...

〔 ⅰ. 〕...ask for continuations of stories — or at least not repeatedly. 

〔 ⅱ. 〕...send asks with extremely detailed readers . having a lot of identifiable features somewhat defeats the purpose of being a reader-insert.

〔 ⅲ. 〕...send extremely detailed concepts and the like unless you just wanna share something! I’m happy to read your ideas but sometimes if something is too detailed, I won’t be able to build off of it. If that’s not your intent, then go wild!

☰ Fandoms / Characters

[FANDOM] ★...Current Favorite — ✦...Also Writing For.. [CHARACTERS] ❤...Current Favorite — ♡...Also Writing For... Bolded characters are my most liked out of the category they’ve been placed in.

〔 ★ 〕My OCs ❤ Clover... Freisya... ♡ ...

〔 ★ 〕Genshin Impact ❤ Childe... Zhongli... Kaeya... Xinyan... Yoimiya... Traveler(s)... Sucrose... Albedo... Venti... Razor... Diluc... Kaedehara Kazuha... Kamisato Ayaka...  Sangonomiya Kokomi... Xiao...  ♡ Amber... Barbara... Beidou... Bennett... Chongyun... Eula... Fischl... Ganyu... Hu Tao... Jean... Keqing... Kujou Sara... Lisa... Mona... Ningguang... Raiden Shogun / Ei... Rosaria... Xiangling... Xingqiu...  Yanfei...

〔 ✦ 〕Twisted Wonderland ❤ Carter Diamond... Deuce Spade... Jack Howl... Azul Ashengrotto... Jade Leech... Floyd Leech... Rook Hunt... Idia Shroud... Malleus Draconia... Silver... ♡ Riddle Rosehearts... Ace Trappola... Trey Clover... Leona Kingscholar... Ruggie Bucchi... Kalim Al-Asim... Jamil Viper... Epel Felmier... Vil Schoenheit... Lilia Vanrouge... Sebek Zigvolt...

〔 ✦ 〕Demon Slayer ❤ Tengen Uzui... Shinobu Kocho... Kyojuro Rengoku... Kyogai... Enmu... Rui... Kokushibo... ♡ Kagaya Ubuyashiki... Giyu Tomioka... Mitsuri Kanroji... Obanai Iguro... Sanemi Shinazugawa... Gyomei Himejima... Akaza... Douma... Gyutaro... Daki... Hantengu... Kaigaku... Muzan Kibutsuji... Tanjiro Kamado... Inosuke Hashibira... Zenitsu Agatsuma... Tamayo... Yushiro...

〔 ✦ 〕Jujutsu Kaisen ❤ Yuji Itadori... Megumi Fushiguro... Yuta Okkotsu... Kento Nanami... Aoi Todo... Choso... Suguru Geto... Junpei Yoshino... ♡ Satoru Gojo... Masamichi Yaga... Nobara Kugisaki... Maki Zenin... Toge Inumaki... Utahime Iori... Kokichi Muta... Mai Zenin... Kokichi Muta... Kasumi Miwa... Naoya Zenin... Mahito... Sukuna... Toji Fushiguro...

〔 ✦ 〕Jojo’s Bizarre Adventures...up to part 7 ❤ Majority of characters... (there are way too many characters) ♡ Majority of characters... (there are way too many characters)

〔 ✦ 〕Magi ❤ ♡

〔 ✦ 〕Attack On Titan ❤ Reiner Braun… Etc ♡… etc

〔 ✦ 〕Castlevania ❤ Alucard… Hector… Dracula… ♡ Isaac… Sypha… Trevor… Carmilla… Godbrand… Striga… Lenore… Morana…

〔 ✦ 〕Beastars / Beast Complex ❤ Legoshi… Haru… Louis… Ibuki… ♡ Gohin… Riz… Pina… Raul… Melon… Bill… Agata… Juno…

〔 ★ 〕Greek Mythology ❤ Apollo... Ares... Hades... Eros... Zagreus... Hermes... Achilles… Patroklus… Hercules… Helios... Hektor... Orpheus... Odysseus... Bellerophon... Helen...  ♡ Athena... Hypnos... Thanatos... Nyx... Aphrodite... Artemis... Hera... Demeter... Dionysus... Poseidon... Zeus... Persephone... Gaia… Zephyrus… Boreas… Hestia... Amphitrite... Paris... Nyx... Hyponos... Atlanta... Harmonia... Selene... Asclepius... Hekate... ↳ If you wanna talk about / see me talk about a god(dess) that is not on this list, go ahead and ask! I’d (probably) love to look into them! They might not be on the list solely because I’m not familiar with them.

〔 ★ 〕Norse Mythology ❤ etc ♡ etc

〔 ✦ 〕 Arcane ❤ Viktor… Jayce… Vi… Silco… ♡ Ekko… Mel… Jinx… Caitlyn… Sevika…

#☰ Asks — how to send & Fandoms / Characters #☰ Asks — how to send #☰ Fandoms / Characters

[lyney-s-bitch]

{ ~ MADDY‘S MASTERLIST PT.2 ~ }

DEMON MOONS + MUZAN

groups

Muzan + Upper Moons having a horror movie marathon

the Upper Moons as gifs

Kokushibo, Muzan & Enmu: nsfw hcs w their human pet girl

Upper Moons getting drunk

Upper Moons playing board games

Gyuutarou (+ Daki) with artist!reader (sfw)

Upper Moons reacting to their human pet demanding head pats (sfw)

Douma

being actor at a haunted house attraction

reuniting w his deceased s/o after death

Akaza

ramble (!heavy spoilers!)

Hakuji fluff hcs

Akaza‘s s/o getting scolded by Muzan (sfw)

Gyuutarou

nsfw hcs

Gyuutarou as dom hcs (nsfw)

Muzan

hcs w masochistic s/o (nsfw)

hcs w s/o having a breeding kink (nsfw)

hcs: body switch w fem s/o

Enmu

being actor at a haunted house attraction

OTHER DEMONS

Susamaru

prompt drabble (nsfw): 83. "How quickly can you cum?"

PILLARS

groups

Obanai + Mitsuri seeing a fortune teller

Sanemi + Giyuu handing out candy on Halloween

the Pillars but as gifs

the Pillars as Upper Moons

Rengoku Kyoujurou

hcs: Kyojurou as a demon

(yandere) Rengoku Kyoujurou hcs || sfw(ish)

Kochou Shinobu

Secret Santa hcs (modern au)

Tomioka Giyuu

Giyuu as sensei of a cheerful tsuguko

———————————————————————

Jujutsu Kaisen

Nanami Kento

18+ hcs

———————————————————————

Genshin Impact

groups

reacting to you squirting for the first time hcs (nsfw) || pt. 1 & pt. 2

reacting to you taking off your engagement ring after an argument (sfw)

reacting to someone checking you out (sfw)

Ass, Thighs or Boobs?

Kaedehara Kazuha

Windtrace: Kazuha (hunter) x s/o (rebel)

Kazuha x virgin fem s/o (nsfw)

Kamisato Ayato

gentleman in the streets, rough in the sheets (nsfw)

Childe/Tartaglia

Childe as fwb (implied nsfw)

Lyney

spicy hcs (nsfw)

Neuvillette

Priest!Neuvillette x (fem) Goth!Reader (nsfw-ish)

———————————————————————

Blue Lock

groups

sleepover with Blue Lock characters (sfw)

Who is the most private about their love life?

reaction to you "screaming" when they prank you dressed as a clown

Isagi Yoichi

fluff hcs (sfw)

spicy hcs (nsfw)

Bachira Meguru

fluff/spicy hcs (sfw & nsfw)

Nagi Seishiro

fluff hcs (sfw)

spicy hcs (nsfw)

spicy prompt drabble (21. "Wait—uh—do… do that again.") (slight nsfw)

Barou Shouei

cooking/doing chores with you (sfw)

Itoshi Sae

"And if you’re under him, you ain’t gettin’ over him" (angst; sfw)

other stuff

my fav characters

Ego & Kiyora - brothers?

———————————————————————

OTHER

crack (KnY & JJK)

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

random (KnY & JJK)

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

additional info

I interact from @neferpuppet!!

#PART 2 IS DONE #kimetsu no yaiba #demon slayer #kny #jjk #jujutsu kaisen #masterlist #kny masterlist

[trancylovecraft]

(KNY) YANDERE PLATONIC! KOKUSHIBO x SISTER READER: You, Shibou. I, Kokoro (CHAPTER SIXTEEN)

Previous Chapter ☆♡☆ Masterlist ☆♡☆ Next Chapter

AO3 link

CHAPTER SIXTEEN: "You crave the applause yet hate the attention Then miss it"

Many people associate the appearance of butterflies with messages beyond death. The significance of butterflies as signs of life after death is a worldwide belief.

Many people believe that butterflies are messengers sent by loved ones who have died. There are many cultures that ascribe meanings to specific interactions with butterflies as well as the meaning of colors and their messages to those grieving.

Feet pattered against the floor, Tapping in rapid succession.

Breaths were pushed forth like waves sloshing against the shore, Drawing back just as quick and returning to sea. When she hurried past, Bystanders were almost swept off their feet from the sheer wind made by her scarper, Yelling out their irritated warnings to the girl who continued to sprint down the streets.

She called out her apologies as she went. Houses rushed past her as she navigated through the village streets, Completely focused on her quickly approaching destination. Her thick braids swaying behind her run, Glad they were tied back so they wouldn't get in the way of her sight.

The warm sun was raised high within the watercolour sky, Porcelain clouds drifted aimless throughout their seas. The tinge of pollen stung at noses and the buzz of their consumer being simply background noise to anyone in here.

A beautiful day, That's for sure. The girl knew all too well as she had been running under it's mother, The sun, For at least a few hours now. She had been there when the sky was still navy, When the squawk of roosters called out from their coops.

Mitsuri, Her eyes caught onto those gates, The ones she was very familiar with.

She smiled, Rosy cheeks reddening at the sight. She had ran here as fast as she could, All the way from a town she had been searching down south. Mitsuri almost cursed herself once she felt the burning of her lungs, She really needed to stop running to and from places without breaks!

"I'm here!" Mitsuri squealed once she burst open through the gates, Their heft being compared to paperweights under her strength. Mitsuri grinned, Huffing only slightly as sweat trickled down her brow.

The Butterfly Mansion, Already rife with activity as she could hear the hearty chatter echo outside from the open windows. Even spotting a few Kakushi roaming about, Even spotting Aoi bustling throughout the house with folded laundry piled in her arms.

But her chartreuse eyes caught onto something else, Onto the woman sat perched upon the steps of the mansion. Glossy eyes caught onto Mitsuri's, Her patron smile coming upon her face.

"Ah! Mitsuri-chan! So glad you could finally make it!" Shinobu called out to her, Soft voice lilting as her vision caught onto Mitsuri's. She was dressed in her full slayer uniform, Delicate winged haori and all in comparison to Mitsuri and her candy-coloured kimono.

Mitsuri suddenly felt seen, Pulling a rather apologetic expression once she met with Shinobu.

"Ehe..! I'm so sorry, Shinobu-chan! I was all the way down in Otsu when I got your message! But I made sure to start sprinting as soon as I read it, I hope I didn't show up too late, Did I..?" Mitsuri asked, Scratching the back of her head awkwardly.

Shinobu shook her head lightly, Hands finding their way to the deck she sat on before pushing her up to her feet.

"No need to apologise! I asked you to come as soon as possible and you did as I asked! Besides.. This is all on such short notice~! So I suppose it is me who needs to say sorry for asking you to come so quickly.." Shinobu said as she dusted herself off, Turning up to look at Mitsuri.

"Oh, No! It's really okay, But um.. I kinda forgot why you asked me to come here in the first place..? I sorta just starting running and it just slipped by me, You know? Mind if you tell me why you asked me here..?" Mitsuri chuckled nervously, Still a bit out of breath from her continuous jog here.

Shinobu hummed, Stretching her ankle before she took a generous step forward towards Mitsuri.

"Oh, Don't worry! I didn't actually specify the reason I called you here! I didn't want any physical evidence linking to what we'll be discuss here today" Shinobu laughed airily as she began to pace forward, Strutting past Mitsuri.

Mitsuri smiled in relief, Shoulders lowering.

"Aha! I guess that makes sense-!" Mitsuri stopped. Blinking once, Her smile dropped as she jerked her head around to look at Shinobu.

Wait..

Evidence..?!

"S-Shinobu-chan! What do you mean by Evidence..?!" Mitsuri gasped as she eyed the shorter woman, Almost if she had asked Mitsuri to help her bury a body. Which, For Shinobu, Oddly didn't seem too far fetched.

Shinobu's back faced her, Front pointed towards the bust open gate. Her delicate winged haori floating in the soft wind, All before her head tilted to the side to let her glossy eyes meet with Mitsuri.

She smiled, Sharply.

"I'll explain soon enough~! But for now, Please follow me. We have another guest waiting for us, After all!" Shinobu called out as she swiftly turned on her heel, Beginning to trail off down one of the branching pathways in the mansion.

Mitsuri blinked, Mouth still agape as she watched the shorter woman saunter down the pathway.

"Ah- Hey! Wait up, Shinobu-chan!" She finally called out as Mitsuri realised she was falling behind, Swiftly dusting off the front of her taffy kimono before hurriedly rushing to catch up to Shinobu. Sandals clacking, Hitting against the dust as she called for Shinobu to slow down.

☆♡☆

Swords clashed, Hitting against each other.

Wood on blood-pulp iron, Blades of different makings but both did their best to pry an opening in their opponents stance.

Both were fast, Swift as they drew down their blades so powerful that they could slice the wind around them. Knuckles near popped at the iron-grip [F/N] had on the hilt of her training sword. The timber of her weapon was blunt, But the gaze she had on her adversary was piercing.

She ran, The pads of her feet ran quickly towards the demon. His six narrowed eyes watched her rapidly approach him, His stance still as his hand lazed upon the hilt of his katana.

"Your form.. It's lacking, Are you really putting in any effort at all..?"

[F/N] gritted her teeth as the soles of her bare feet landed back onto the ground, Body skittering back from the force into a sliding kneel.

Her hands gripped at the smooth dirt of the courtyard, Sweat dribbling down her brow as she tried to calculate her next move. His words, They sounded as smug as they always did when he beat her down. When he insulted her sword work.

Fuck.. Her lungs burned.

They always did when this happened, Along with the cuts and the bruises that would accompany her. When he came back from whatever he did during the night, [F/N] knew that she would be sure to bleed.

And his words were just the cherry on top, Ironically just as sour as one too.

But, It didn't hurt this time.

No, It didn't. [F/N] heaved, Her knees starting to shake. His words usually stung the most, Even though [F/N] felt ichor drip down from her nose onto her lips, Even though she felt her insides stir in her cage. Unusually, His words weren't the worst of it anymore.

"..I'm trying my best." [F/N] breathed out, Humid air expelling from her mouth. The grip she had on her training sword near made her skin break, She swashed it behind her as she warily eyed her adversary before her.

As always, Kokushibo rumbled.

He stood there as solemn as ever, As stoic as he usually was. His sickly golden eyes flickered over her bruised and battered body with a sharp frown, Kokushibo's form in comparison was completely unharmed.

His nose twitched, Only slightly.

"Throughout our time sparring.. You have not been able to land a single good cut on me.. Your footwork is sub-par and you have made no work to improve it.. Your best is most certainly not enough." Kokushibo finalised as the disgusting blade in his hand was finally raised and subsequently slotted back into its sheathe.

[F/N] heaved, Watching him almost disappointedly turn away and shake his head. His ebony hair blowing lightly in the breeze as he turned to march off, He didn't need to say that this session was over for it to finish, His actions spoke enough words.

[F/N] gritted her teeth, Watching as he headed for the door.

His words, They didn't hurt her because she knew why he was doing this, Sparring with her everyday.

In his own cold dead heart, Some part of him wanted to spend time with her and he only knew how to do that through bloodshed. In his own twisted, Morally unethical way, He wanted to bond.

[F/N] gagged in her mouth, Supressing a roll of her eyes and an accompanying scoff. Bond, That was a word she used too lightly. It was more like he wanted to draw her closer, For that possessive desire he had over her.

Gods knew why.. But, [F/N] supposed after her wreckage of the altar they weren't an option to consult anymore.

But as she watched him walk away, A noticeable lack of strength in his gait, [F/N] knew that he was ready to give up. All this time the only thing she had been doing was acting mild just so she wouldn't have to deal with him, That or hissing insults.

Not like he didn't deserve it, But..

If he gave up then what way could she possibly have to escape? To lull him into some false sense of trust with her.

She couldn't let him give up, Not now. If she wanted to get out of here, She needed to play nice.

Kokushibo reached the wide double doors to leave the welcoming courtyard, His pale hand reached out towards the doorknob with feline claws glistening in the near natural light. And just as they curled around the silver handle-

"Then show me..!"

Kokushibo paused.

He took a moment, All six of his eyes lain dead on his own hand tightly gripping onto the doorknob. It took a few seconds for him to finally turn his head around, To eye her from only one side of his face.

His eyes, Piercing.

"..What?"

[F/N] breathed in and out as she wiped the drool from her lips, Shaking off the sweat in one single motion, She raised to her full height.

Her hand, Still gripping the training sword.

"Over and over again.. You've been telling me my footwork is wrong for months now.. So show me how to make it right." [F/N] called out to him, A sort of spark in her usually dull eyes. Like a sudden explosion of fireworks, Flames appeared in her sclera.

Kokushibo just stood there.

His hand was still gripped tightly on the doorknob and his eyes were still fixated on her, Like a screw jammed into a wall.

His expression, It didn't change as the wind continued to dance through his hair, His hakama and kimono. Neither did it change when [F/N] continued to meet his gaze, For the first time, Even though she could barely compress a shake of her lip.

Was there something on her face, Did he get suspicious? Every inch of her body wanted to break down under his blazing glare, Feeling so scorching, So scrutinizing. It made her want to crumble into dust, Fall apart like a house of cards.

Though, He just stared, His face showing nothing except for that resting contempt it always had. His body made no tick, No twitch visible or any break in the working machine that he appeared to be. But his eyes, [F/N] could swear they widened.

Only a little bit.

"..Very well." Kokushibo finally said, And [F/N] almost let out the biggest sigh in her life as she watched him move away from the door, Hand slipping off the doorknob. "If you insist on me correcting your stance.. I will do as such."

Kokushibo waltzed over to the middle of the courtyard, Slowly, Just to the point where he was perched directly under the scattered shadow of the hulking tree in the middle. [F/N] watched as he raised a hand, Making one gesture to beckon her over.

[F/N] bit her tongue, The one that wanted to call him out for treating her like a child as she started to stumble over to him.

Warily, [F/N] kept her eyes on him the entire time as she put one foot in front of the other. It was almost like a fly prancing on a Venus flytrap, Careful as it went forward, Almost as if the walls around her would snap shut on her.

She breathed out, Her throat becoming increasingly drier by the second as she approached.

[F/N] needed to play nice.

[F/N] needed to get out of here.

☆♡☆

"..Ah- Himejima-san? I didn't expect you to be here.. I had just assumed it would be me and Shinobu-chan!"

The breeze was warm, Soft as it made the silk-like blinds dance like ribbons in the air. The amicable heat flooded into the wide-open room, The storm surge of its delicate wind made the fabrics and fibres on the top of heads start to sway.

Outside the sonorous sound of the birds could be heard, Singing from atop their perches in the spring tree's outside. The rustle of the plant pots growing various herbs gently swayed in the wind.

Spirulina and Sage, Even herbs that were not native to the area were in bloom. Their use not just medical as their amorous aroma flooded through the room, Mixing and swirling with the natural scents.

Mitsuri stood at the first end of the centre table, Where the light struck right in the middle, Where a small china tea-set painted with pretty little flowers steamed with freshly made tea. A beautiful set-up, Mitsuri could even smell the earthy aroma of the English blend flooding through her nose.

Shinobu sat to the side, Back facing the gentle light of the window as her finger circled the rim of her teacup. Her glossy eyes seemingly enraptured in her own reflection, The one appearing on the beige liquid that she seemed so interested in.

Gyomei, Who had picked up his own tiny teacup into his almost comically large hands, Had finally set it back down onto the table, Where he sat at the opposite head of. Both dressed in their own slayer uniforms, It made Mitsuri feel just a tiny bit more awkward as she shuffled in her taffy kimono.

Gyomei picked up a napkin, Softly dabbing the tea's residue from his lips.

"..I had assumed it would just be Kocho-san and I, I had no idea that you were invited as well.." He replied as he neatly placed the napkin back onto the table, Folding the slightly damp paper as he spoke.

Mitsuri smiled. That ever present rosy blush still visible on her cheeks as she turned to Shinobu, Of whom was still looking dead into the little tarn of her teacup.

Mitsuri hummed.

"..Shinobu-chan, I don't mean to be so insistent you know..! Do you mind if you tell us why we're here? I'm kinda worried, The message I got from your crow seemed kinda urgent!" Mitsuri chuckled though a little nervously, Recalling back to how the crow had interrupted her on her mission.

Shinobu blinked, Eyes widening as she realised she had let her mind drift off.

"Ah.. Yes, I apologise for worrying you, Mitsuri-chan!" Shinobu said as she lifted her head, A bright smile appearing on her lips despite her face dusted in gentle shadow. "As I explained to Himejima-san yesterday, I invited you here to discuss a possible scouting mission.."

Mitsuri made a slight 'Oh' sound from her lips, Smile dropping slightly.

But it reappeared just as quickly, Just much more nervous this time like she was trying to find the right words to tell devastating news.

She twiddled her fingers on her lap, Prying her pursed lips open.

"A mission..? I'm not sure, Shinobu-chan..!" Mitsuri exclaimed as she tilted her head to the side. "You know I'd love to help you, I really would but.. You also know I've got my own mission I'm focused on, Right..?"

Shinobu took a second, Blinked, Then nodded.

She knew exactly what Mitsuri was talking about.

Late at night, Her ribbon-blade had flowed like running water as it slashed into the necks of demons with a finesse only she could produce. Those demons, The ones Mitsuri had slain and the ones she had defeated while a crow had landed on her shoulder.

It squawked, Though information sparse Mitsuri could tell that it was vital. Not that it needed to be, Mitsuri would've came either way, Though she would've appreciated at least a reason for her being here.

Especially with how busy she was, Tirelessly questioning demons and searching leads for [F/N] location took up a lot of her time slots.

And hell, Would she not let anything trivial take up that time.

"I understand, I know how busy you've been working to find [F/N]-chan." Shinobu announced, Much more open than Mitsuri was expecting, Making her eyes widen. "It is also the reason I have asked you both here, As I believe this could be very beneficial to our search.."

Gyomei's brows lowered, Lips thinning.

"Yes.. The one concerning Fujimori [F/N].." He spoke, Fully understanding what Shinobu had meant yet that puzzled expression still lay dormant on his face. "I understand inviting Kanroji-san here.. Fujimori-san considered her to be her best friend.."

He turned his head to the direction of Shinobu, Who stared back with only slightly parted lips on her smile.

"-Why is it that I was selected to come here..? Regrettably, I was not too friendly with Fujimori-san.. So I assume there would've been a better choice to invite.." Gyomei lamented, Recalling back to the days that could've only been yesterday in his mind.

His frown thickened, The tears running down his face seemed just a little quicker. The days where him and [F/N] had a rather unsavoury yet unspoken rivalry now had a horrid taste on his tongue.

Passive-aggressive insults, Hidden jabs at his work ethic. He had always taken them in stride, An unbothered grin on that old fox mask as he waltzed away. It had always left Gyomei with a sense of ashamed responsibility for [F/N]'s actions, Or lack there of.

But if Gyomei had known back then what he knew now..

Shinobu's parted lips reformed back into that usual smile, The advertisement kind of smile she usually wore. Almost apologetically she shook her head before clearing her throat.

She chuckled, No matter how awkwardly.

"..Ah, Well excuse my rudeness but I was listening into your conversation back at the Hashira meeting!" Shinobu exclaimed with an innocent smile, Hands pressing together in some vague gesture of apology.

Gyomei's breath hitched in his throat, A startled expression on his face.

"Whaaat..~?!" Mitsuri gasped as she near jumped up from her kneel, Hands slamming down onto the table making a tiny shake, Eyes agape in an overdramatic display as she stared at Shinobu.

Shinobu chuckled slightly. She gently placed a hand upon Mitsuri's shoulder, Lightly guiding her back down onto her knees.

Mitsuri only looked back and forth the other two with wide eyes, From Gyomei to Shinobu until she was finally placed back down onto her knees at her end of the table. Back at the Hashira meeting, Shinobu had been listening..?!

"I had meant to discuss matters with Mitsuri-chan, But I ended up overhearing you both speak!" Shinobu explained. "Mostly about Himejima-san's Tsuguko, His name slips from my mind but the important bit I heard was that you were willing to help in the search for [F/N]-chan."

Shinobu breathed out, Eyes lowering on Gyomei.

"I asked you here because of the matters we discussed yesterday involving Upper Two." Shinobu started to explain, Her expression turning much more serious, Smile turning into a little frown.

"As well as exterminating another Demon moon. If I am remembering correctly.. [F/N] was reportedly kidnapped by Upper One. Now, I believe that if we are to get any information on [F/N]'s whereabouts, Then Upper Two would be a good start.. Don't you think?" Shinobu asked softly, Tilting her head towards Gyomei as if to prompt an answer.

The birds crooning their serenade outside sounded all the more louder, The near silent rustle of the plants outside to follow.

SLAM!

Shinobu froze slightly, Suddenly feeling the jolting shake of two hands slamming down onto the table. Tea sloshed around in their porcelain cups, Spits and drops falling over their rims at the rumbling sensation.

The porcelain clacked together like heels on a tiled floor, Only settling once the pair of hands had stood stagnant on the table. Gyomei too seemed to tense up, Visible on his muscles once they both realised that Mitsuri had been the one to do it.

"I'm so sorry but.. Uhm.." Mitsuri said, Looking only a little startled as she seemed to find the words to say.

Her eyes widened, A slight gasp before she spoke.

"Upper two? What have I missed! Have I really turned up so late..?! Shouldn't we be reporting this to Oyataka-sama?!" Mitsuri suddenly exclaimed, Eyes wide as she almost jumped up from her seat on the floor. "Why are we not discussing this at a meeting..?! We should be selecting people to g-"

Suddenly, Mitsuri stopped.

Shinobu, Had reached out and gently yet firmly closed Mitsuri jaw, Her movements paused along with her speech, Almost processing what had happened.

Gyomei just sat there, Unaware yet intently listening to what happened. Shinobu hummed as she removed her hand from Mitsuri's chin, Sitting herself back onto her seat before fixing her uniform.

"I understand you would want to tell Oyataka-sama, But please, Let me explain! I suppose I should let you read the letter I had received a few days ago, I believe it should catch you up to speed!" Shinobu smiled.

The hand that had been cupping Mitsuri's jaw only moments ago lunged into the pocket of her butterfly haori, Hands rummaging around inside the inner pockets before fishing something out from inside and holding it high.

It was a piece of paper, Rumpled yet neatly folded. Mitsuri could tell that it was stained and most certainly written on scraps, Even the edge that the light rolled off of seemed to be dim. Especially once the hand lowered and was presented to her, Mitsuri could tell it was not of good quality.

Mitsuri blinked, Shoulders relaxing as she finally realised where she was.

"R-Right.. I'm sorry for my outburst, I was just a bit surprised..!" Mitsuri giggled awkwardly once she took the paper into her hands. Shinobu nodded, Mumbling her own form of acceptance before sitting back down onto her seat, Intently watching Mitsuri and her actions.

Mitsuri felt the fibre in her hands, The coarse texture running through her fingertips. Leave it to her to overreact, Never to conceal her inner emotions. Mitsuri frowned as she started to unfold the paper. But it was Upper Two, How could she not overreact when such a big title was thrown around so casually?

Mitsuri pursed her lips, Starting to read.

☆♡☆

Hands ran down the dull blade of the training sword, A featherlight touch grazing the katana's guard like a summer breeze or a lovers lingering touch.

Yet his shadow loomed over her like dripping icicles in winter, His heaving breath causing vapour in the rather tender courtyard. [F/N] felt the chilling sweat run down her brow, Eyes wide and alert as if preparing herself for a fight.

"Your footwork.. The issue is rather simple to solve.." Kokushibo's solemn voice ruminated from behind her, Like distant thunder and she a petrified dog. A single clawed hand was placed upon hers, Gripping the hands that were squeezing her sword hilt tight.

His acuate, Gelid claws might as well have been wringing her neck. [F/N] could barely stop herself from shaking as she felt his artic cold grip on her. He stood right behind her, So close that she could feel the graze of his kimono's fabric against her back.

He was lowered, One hand gripping hers on the hilt of the sword to guide her placement. His other hand was placed on her shoulder, Gripping it tightly, So much so that the ebony claws dug into her skin through her Samue.

[F/N] did not expect this, This sort of proximity to one and other. She bit her tongue, Trying to conceal the sheer distaste flowing through her. [F/N] didn't dare to turn her head, Not wanting to see his monstrous visage. He had no body heat, No sort of signal to say that he was alive.

Kokushibo's grip on her tightened, Her muscles tensing as she squeezed her shoulder hard.

"From what I have seen.. You are used to operating in a mans body while fighting. You have became use to fighting with a much heavier body weight than what you have now.. Much taller and muscular than you are.." Kokushibo spoke, Eyeing her physique up and down.

It took everything [F/N] had not to shiver under his acidic stare, Everything not to give it up.

"It is why your movements are incorrect.. Your muscles memory is use to a much larger form.. Making your footwork much more forceful.." Kokushibo said as his hand began to position hers, Raising her trembling hands higher.

"R-Right.." [F/N] breathed.

"Now.. I want you to try and attack me, Behead me if you can.." His hands started to slip, Both from her shoulder and her hands. A lingering frost on her shoulders, [F/N] could barely appreciate their separation before he ambled in front of her, Slowly, Moving like a predator.

[F/N] swallowed back the bile in her throat, So acidulent as she watched him stop in front of her only a few metres away. Sword still raised high, They both stared back at each other below the leaves of the towering tree.

Only now once they stood in audible silence could she really feel the warmth of the courtyard, Hear the rustle of the leaves, Smell the ocean air drifting in from outside. But she knew her scenery was just a distraction from her task, The one seeming so herculean.

[F/N] barely contained a scoff. She didn't need him to adjust her stance or her sword, It's not like this meant much anyways. It was just some sparring session he insisted on, Only realising it was actually to "bond", Her footwork was careless for a reason.

"Come on now, Girl.. Wasn't it you that wanted to correct your mistakes..?" Kokushibo rasped as he watched her stagnant form with narrowed eyes.

[F/N]'s eyes widened.

"Right.." She muttered, Grip shaking as she realised she had been stood still this entire time.

[F/N] breathed, A foot slamming down behind her.

In only a moment and in a slice of wind, She was off.

Feet pattering rapidly against the ground, Her sword gripped with both hands as she rushed towards her opponent.

Eyes were locked onto him, Honed like a hawk as she quickly gained momentum. He had told her that her footwork was forceful, That she was use to fighting in a mans body. [F/N] couldn't care less of what he thought.

But if she wanted to make him think she cared..

CLASH!

A sword connected, Splinters exploding from the contact. [F/N] spun back in the air, Controlling her movements as she landed and skittered back on the floor.

Her muscles tense, Aching in her neck as she gripped the hilt of a sword weighing much lighter than it did before. Eyes watery from the dust made by her skidding back, Making it all the more tougher to see when she hauled up her head.

The sword hilt she had grasped in her hand was just that, A hilt. The fibre blade had exploded into thousands of splinters, Ones that had scattered across the floor like shattered glass.

"Congratulations.. You were able to land your first hit on my shoulder blade.."

His voice rung out, Deep and gravelly as she saw him looking down at her.

Despite his congratulary words, His face had no expression as it always did. Still like a marble statue. Yet his eyes like fireflies darted back and forth, Looking from the shattered wood to her prostrated kneel.

[F/N] blinked, Lips slightly parted as she saw no visible injury on him.

"You have taken my advice into account.. Your footwork has improved much. Now, Perhaps one day I may get to see your breathing style up close.." Kokushibo said, Eyes gleaming with oppertunity.

He turned on his heel, Mechanically like a machine. Kokushibo didn't take one look back at her as he began to march out of the room, His expression motionless, His sword sheathed in it's lock.

[F/N] watched him go, Stalking off towards the exit of the courtyard once more, This time she knew that there was no stopping him. Despite her inner joy at him leaving, Her tongue spoke for her.

"..Where are you going?" She rasped out as she watched him reach the door, Eyes never leaving his back for a single moment.

Kokushibo didn't glance back at her as he wrapped his talons around the silver shine of the doorknob. His muscles as rigid as always, Voice as usually humbling as it always was as he spoke.

"We are finished here for today.. And I have worked up an appetite.." Those were his only words before the doorknob turned open with a squeak much louder than it should have been, Heave the door open with no difficulty and step back inside to the cold embrace of the shrine.

[F/N] blinked, Hearing as the door clicked shut against the frame.

It took a few seconds to feel his aura, That disgusting, Wretched aura. The one that smelt like sulphur and brimstone, The kind that left a horrid taste in her mouth. [F/N] felt as it faded away, Dissolved until it was no longer near, Leaving nothing but a nauseating aftertaste.

It left [F/N] prostrated on the courtyard floor, The fractured hilt still clenched so tight that veins appeared in her wrist. The rustle of the leaves above her still rang out and the faraway swash of the water outside still remained.

[F/N] softened her grip, The hilt slipping from her hand before clattering on the floor beside her. This had not gone well, That [F/N] had decided in her mind without second thought or jury to confer to.

Despite her first ever hit on him, Kokushibo hadn't changed his demeanour even a bit. He didn't crack, Didn't show no emotion on his face like always. [F/N] knew it was stupid to think that she'd instantly find a way to break through his cold exterior on first try.

But it still irked her.

Maybe it was because she didn't like the prospect of getting closer to him, Maybe it was because of how long it would surely took. Was there even anything [F/N] could use to gain his trust?

Sure, He had some vile obsession over her, But that was starting to become hard to weaponize. And despite hailing from a deity associated with the performing arts, [F/N] wasn't a particularly good actor.

Whatever, It wasn't like Inari was gonna do all the work for her.

Inari wasn't real, Nor were any other of the gods. She had finalised that with the destruction of the altar, Something that [F/N] had become numb to looking back. [F/N] had no one to pray to except herself, No one to fix her problems but her.

She would think over it later, Right now, [F/N] was already exhausted despite waking up only a few hours ago and was ready to go to bed. Still, That horrid aftertaste of his aura still lingered on the tip of her tongue. Amplified by the knowledge she had looming over her like a storm cloud.

Kokushibo hadn't even unsheathed his sword, He had gone easy on her.

[F/N] snarled.

☆♡☆

Dear whoever this may concern. If you're reading this, Please, Send help.

My location is in the village of Hiyohara, Not too far off Fukushima. I don't have much time to write this, Nor do I know if I'll even finish writing this message before they find me. But I need to try.

For the majority of my life I have been involved in a religious convent, I have grown up there my entire life alongside my brothers. My parents abandoned us at a young age, So we had grown up close within the religion.

It happened only a few weeks ago when I woke up and found that my brothers had gone missing, Both of them. I had originally thought that they had just went to the bathroom, However when morning came I had found that neither had returned.

I tried to consult the monks, They keep telling me that they had caught them running away during the night, But I know the truth.

My brothers would never leave without me, I know they would've at least told me goodbye before they went. Especially with the upcoming Ascension, They would never have left beforehand. Not without telling me.

I have tried to bring this up to our founder but he has said that he has no idea of what is going on. I don't know where they went, But I have an idea. And it was only made more plausible once I had snuck into the kitchen a few days ago.

I think the monks done something to my brothers.

I hear them talking at night now, Things I don't understand. Words such as bodies, Upper Two, Absorption. I don't know if they mean anything to you, But if they do, Please get here faster.

I know who you are and I know what kind of crow this is, My father use to be one of you before he abandoned us and we were brought to the convent. I think there is a monster among our convent, And I think it killed my brothers.

Please- I don't know how long I have left. They took my brothers and I know they're going for me next. I don't know where my brothers went but I don't want to end up like them.

Please, Help me.

-Teiji

Hands gripped the paper tight, So hard it almost tore apart.

"That poor man.. Just the idea of such a powerful demon killing his siblings! My heart aches for him and his brothers!" Mitsuri gasped as her eyes finally finished reading the ink blotted on the paper, Wide and suprised as she looked up towards the other two.

Shinobu settled her teacup back onto the little side plate it came with, Residue lingering in the inner lines as china clinked against each other. Gyomei on the other hand had already finished, His teacup shuffled off to the side.

By now the tea in the pot had grown lukewarm, That gentle saccharine aroma had grown faint. The luminous daylight outside was still potent, Still early in the day. Yet the sun had still moved a few inches, Almost breaking afternoon.

Shinobu hummed, Dabbing her mouth with a napkin.

"You must understand that I don't plan on going to Oyataka-sama for a reason." She said as she turned to look at Mitsuri with that same smile. "Please, Do not get me wrong, I care and respect our master from the bottom of my heart but I need you both to know that I think it would be better if we conducted this privately.."

Gyomei's eyes lowered, Lips thinning.

"You have yet to explain why, For what reason do you suggest this?" He asked lowly, A sort of puzzled expression appearing on his features.

Shinobu's eyes darted over to him, Satiny irises shining under the dim sunlight streaming through the window. If seen under better light, Perhaps you may have been able to see a slight tick from her lip.

"..Because if we inform Oyataka-sama, I'm afraid that I may be left out." Shinobu admitted as her expression started to morph into a frown. Gyomei knitted his brows together, Mitsuri tilting her head almost as if asking her to go on.

She sighed softly.

"..If we inform him that a sighting of Upper moon two has been reported, He is sure to send out the strongest among the Hashira. With [F/N]-chan currently missing, That would mean he would send you, Himejima-san along with Shinazugawa and Mitsuri-chan.." Shinobu spoke as she slightly nodded to him.

Gyomei hummed low, Quiet as he thought over her words.

The current top three in the Hashira. Him, Sanemi then Mitsuri. With a possible Upper Two sighting, It was no doubt that Oyataka-sama would send at the very least one of them to scout it out.

But why Shinobu wanted to be included, Why she'd go as far as to keep this under their beloved masters nose..

It eluded him.

"Uppermoon two.. The fact that we have another sighting of a demon moon. You think they're hiding within this religion? As a monk? As a follower? A leader?" Mitsuri put in, Eyes filled with worry as she thought over the options.

Shinobu hummed.

"I'm not sure, I haven't had the chance to head to Hiyohara and check it out. Actually, It is why I wanted you two here in the first place.." She explained. That smile she usually wore like shoes started to shift, Turning down into a frown, Something much more serious than before.

Shinobu took a deep breath.

"For the past few centuries, Slayers have been on the defensive. Never purposefully seeking out the demon moons, Only coming when called.." Shinobu spoke low, Her eyebrows starting to knit together.

"This time, I suggest we go on the offensive. After scouting, I want to infiltrate into the cult to find out the location and the identity of Upper Two. We'll behead him, Give the demons another hit in their ranks." Shinobu said finally, Serious as ever as her eyes darted back and forth between Mitsuri and Gyomei.

Neither spoke.

She sighed.

Shinobu reached over the table, Delicate hands wrapping around the porcelain handle of the teapot. She did it like it was nothing, Like she just hadn't proposed a madman's plot. Smile reappearing on her face as she started to carefully pour herself a new cup of lukewarm tea.

"And you think you can pull this off?" Gyomei asked, Incredulous in tone as he turned towards her.

Shinobu hummed, Raising her teacup before she took a sip.

"..Truthfully, I don't know." She admitted, Lowering the cup from her lips. "Which is why I suggest we head off tonight to scout it out. If this cult has been hidden from us all this time, I doubt our crows would do any good of a job snooping around. Therefore, It must be on foot."

Gyomei sat there, Blanked eyes widened to their very brims as he turned towards Shinobu's direction. Was she crazy? Was she insane? Had the years of working in the corps finally caught up to her?

Or was it him who was simply suprised? This side of her never seen before. The side that had already formulated a plan, Unlike him.

"Are you sure, Shinobu-chan..?" Mitsuri asked, Worry written all over her face with a quirked lip. "I still think that we should tell someone, At least some of our fellow Hashira! Telling them where we're going would be a good idea, Right..?"

Mitsuri looked at Shinobu, An anxious gleam in her eyes that almost begged Shinobu to tell her she had a plan. An upturned lip while she fiddled with her fingers under the table they sat at.

It was a look Shinobu was familiar with, Mitsuri always wearing her emotions on her sleeve, It was easy to recognise.

Shinobu's smile ticked, Just turning up into a smile.

"Don't worry, Mitsuri-chan. If we get the chance to scout out Hiyohara, I plan on asking several trusted slayers to join us. Both Hashira and not." Shinobu assured as she turned back towards her teacup, Raising close towards her lips.

Mitsuri watched as Shinobu pressed the rim of the cup towards her rosy lips, Parting them slightly as she started to sip at the lukewarm liquid. Everything on the outside seemed fine, Her smile still the same, Every mannerism on the usual.

But for some reason, Something told her that this was wrong. That there was just something off about her, Nothing on the outside but something much more hidden. But that was always how Shinobu was, Wasn't it?

Mitsuri could sense it was more potent now, However, Her lips thinning.

Was she really going to take any chances? Especially after..

Shinobu's eyes darted over towards Mitsuri, The teacup tilting down as she finished her swig. They narrowed in on her, Exactly on her expression.

"..I want to come along because I know this is a chance to save [F/N]-chan." Shinobu spoke as she settled her teacup back onto her plate. "I want to help, [F/N]-chan is one of my dearest friends and I know I would be left out of the mission if I told Oyataka-sama.."

Shinobu turned to Mitsuri, Finally answering that unsure look in Mitsuri's eyes with the most sure expression she had ever seen.

"[F/N] was kidnapped by Upper One, Yes? Then it wouldn't be so bizarre to say that Upper Two might have some information on her whereabouts. We get his information then slay him, Then we'll figure it out from there. Even if he doesn't have any knowledge, It still gives us a chance to make a dent in the demons ranks." Shinobu spoke, Calmer than she ever had.

Her smile softened, Much more.. Genuine than it was before.

"..I told you. One day, We will avenge her. And this is our chance."

Mitsuri's eyes widened, Light shining off the breath-taking green of her irises. That day back in her house, When Mitsuri was at her very worst. The promise Shinobu had made to her that had ultimately pulled Mitsuri out of the murky pits of her own misery.

She said that one day they'd avenge her.

Avenge [F/N].

A shine started to appear in Mitsuri's eyes, Alight like a flame amongst a blizzard. Mitsuri didn't understand what it was. The way she spoke, Maybe the look they shared with one and other.

Whatever it was, It was breathtakingly assuring.

"Alright."

Both Mitsuri and Shinobu's eyes darted to the other side of the table, Hearing the low and mournful voice of Gyomei ring out.

Once their eyes landed on him, They saw an expression much more sure than it was before. A sudden change, A suprising one at that.

"What..?" Mitsuri asked, Almost double taking.

"Tonight we will head off to the village of Hiyohara, We shall scout out the area for any signs of Upper Moon activity then figure out our next course of action." Gyomei explained in a steady tone, Hands pressed into his usual prayer, Beads rattling against each other.

Shinobu's lips parted, Almost seeming suprised by his answer, Having to look him up and down to make sure that this wasn't some out-of-character joke.

She blinked, Realising that he was deadly serious.

Shinobu beamed.

"So it's settled then? We set off at night to Hiyohara on our own private mission, Scout out the area then infiltrate into their cult?" Shinobu asked as she turned over to Mitsuri, The only undecided party at the table.

"Tonight!" Mitsuri cheered, The rosy blush on her cheeks set ablaze as she grinned. "We'll go out and slay them, Upper rank two!"

Shinobu giggled slightly, Hand raising to cover her mouth.

"Aha.. Don't get so carried away now, Mitsuri-chan!" She chided softly as she chuckled at Mitsuri's flushed expression.

"As long as you keep your word of scouting this area out first, Then summoning other slayers as back up.. I will not say a word to Oyataka-sama, Not for now.." Gyomei nodded, Confirming his alliance.

"Well.. I suppose that is it then!" Shinobu cheered lightly, Her hands moving down to the small tatami mat on the floor before using them to push her up to her feet. She steadied herself, Dusting off her uniform.

"Ah.. Where are you going, Shinobu-chan! Aren't you gonna finish your tea?" Mitsuri asked, Tilting her head slightly as she gestured to the half-drunken tea out of her cup.

Shinobu shook her head.

"..I have a lot of duties to tend to before we leave tonight! Please, Help yourself to the rest of the brew here, It's of my own making." Shinobu said, Bowing slightly towards each of them "If you get hungry, Do not be afraid to ask Kanzaki-san for a meal! You are both my treasured guests after all.."

Shinobu spun on her heel, Bidding her goodbyes to both Mitsuri and Gyomei before prancing off along the tatami mat onto the polished mahogany floor. She looked carefree, Relaxed as she strutted off towards the main door of the room.

Mitsuri watched her go, The kick in her step evident as she watched her exit through the polished door of the dining room. Her eyes remained until the door shut with a soft click, That smile on Mitsuri's face remaining even once Shinobu had left.

Mitsuri had always known that it was simply a matter of time until they had found a lead, Found something that could bring them to [F/N]. Her patience had finally paid off, With a tip off to Uppermoon Two to boot!

But her smile shifted only a little bit, Especially once she spotted the rather conflicted expression appearing on her peer.

Gyomei seemed to be in his own world, Thinking over the interaction they had all shared. Mitsuri couldn't even begin to think of what was happening in his head, Despite her general empathy, She was not very good of a telepath.

Shinobu, She seemed happy as usual. She seemed just as kind, Polite and calm as she always was. Nothing particularly stuck out to Mitsuri, Nothing that told her that anything was wrong with Shinobu.

But that feeling in Mitsuri's gut told her otherwise, Told her to look again. That this was not something she could afford to overlook.

And the last time she had took that risk..

Mitsuri frowned. There was definetly something wrong and Mitsuri was going to find out what it was, What was going on with her friend.

Mitsuri would make sure of it, So determined to figure it out.

So much so that she didn't see the girl with mousy blonde hair peek through the crack in the door, Having barely avoided the woman walking out before.

☆♡☆

The sound of a quiet door scraping, Sliding open as carefully as it could.

Everything was silent, Nothing dared to speak or make a single sound. The tiny spiders didn't dare scuttle about, The structure of the shrine didn't even try to creak. Not when he was in the area, The air almost stilling in his presence.

He took a step forward, The floorboards depressing under his weight. The cold air nipped at his skin yet he didn't flinch, Nor did he at the miserable sight of the room. The darkness enveloping the place doing nothing to conceal the sheer mess of the place.

A few bowls of cutlery were strewn about on both the dresser and the nightstand. Some eaten, Some not. But they were building up all the same, Along with the cobwebs and the dust gathering across furniture.

He didn't feel disgusted by it, No, Not at all. It barely scraped the surface of what rancid surroundings he had withstood before, The smell of rot being nothing to him at all.

His six eyes droned onto the figure lain huddled under the sheets of the bed, The one positioned at the other end of the room.

The sheets themselves were half-hanging off the bed and one of the twin pillows were laying upon the floorboards. The other one assumedly being used by his younger sister, Hugged close to her chest while resting her head all the same.

His eyes narrowed in on her, Barely seeing the top of her scalp peeking out from under her covers. She was exhausted, Always was when he was around. His blank face almost produced a scowl.

He stepped closer to her once more, Despite his weight the noise was made minimal, Kokushibo carefully choosing which boards to step on as he strayed closer to her slumbering form.

[F/N] was out cold, Her muscles were so relaxed that they'd certainly feel numb as soon as she awoke. Kokushibo could hear her breaths, Slow as her chest rose up and down from under her thick duvets.

He approached, Closer and closer until his shadow loomed over her. Him casting a bold shadow from the soft ultramarine light flooding in from the doorway. His eyes radiated within the dark, Rich gold examining every inch of the girl sleeping before him.

He had an object clutched tightly in his hand, The surface of which being caressed by his claws.

Kokushibo turned towards the desk, Viewing the old Tupperware building up on the side, He could barely conceal a scoff. Reaching out his spare hand, He sluggishly pushed the bowls and plates away to the side to make room, Careful not to make any sound.

[F/N] was still out cold as he placed down the object in place of the object, Laying it atop the wooden nightstand. She only turned lightly, Stirring once or twice upon her mattress, Completely unaware of the intruder only a few feet away from her.

His eyes dulled once they layed upon [F/N].

He breathed out, Mist appearing in the frigid conditions. His clawed hands moved, Slow and meticulous, Almost as if testing the waters in the shadows of the room as it went towards her scalp.

It was only once he felt the fibres of her hair did he finally feel safe to do this, Did he finally start to entwine his fingers into her locks. Gradually, Methodically slow so that she wouldn't wake up.

His fingers rested against her scalp, Her body heat starting to warm up the deathly cold palm of his hand. Kokushibo's expression almost started to shift once he felt the soft yet choppy locks of her hair.

A normal occurrence for him, To interact with her while she slept.

She didn't even stir, Didn't even react to such physical touch. But he could almost swear that she breathed lighter now under his touch. Kokushibo breathed out, That piercing glare in his eye still present yet it seemed much more subdued now.

It glanced back over to her nightstand, A sort of sapphire shimmer catching his eyes under the ultramarine light. The claw of his thumb began to softly card through her hair, Softly, Almost admiringly.

It was her hairpin, The bejewelled clip nestled within the discarded Tupperware with it's glistening pearls laying like sleeping snakes. Kokushibo's eyes narrowed on the little accessory, The hand not caressing [F/N]'s hair reached out.

His rough finger grasped the pin into his hand, He took it off the desk and brought it closer to him

The pin itself was.. Dirtied.

The nichirin silver was coated in a patchy brown stain, Almost like it was rusting yet the smell was much too metallic for that. Kokushibo's lips thinned as he brought it closer to him, Up to his nose before taking a deep breath in.

His eyes sharpened.

Blood, It was dried blood.

Kokushibo's eyes widened.

For a moment his eyes darted back towards [F/N], Still peacefully asleep under the covers of her bed. Kokushibo stared at her, Pin almost crushed in one hand, The other entwined within her hair.

He stayed like that for what seemed like hours, Just staring down at her while one of his hands slowly carded through her hair. The cat-like cuts in his eyes were as shill and narrow as they ever were.

But he finally breathed out, The grip he had on the bloody pin was finally released.

Kokushibo flicked the pin like a butterfly knife, The pin stuck out like a blade before he lowered it down to her scalp.

The pin easily entwined within her hair. Almost reluctantly, Kokushibo took great caution as he removed his own hand from within her locks. He fastened the clip to her hair, Snapping the pin together on it's clasp make sure it didn't fall out.

Kokushibo took one final look at her, Looked at the way she slept soundly on the bed. Watched as her eyes were rested shut, Watched as her chest rose up and down as he heard the softness of her breath.

It didn't last long, Not even a minute before he turned around again.

Kokushibo stalked his way out of the room, Towards the shoji door that he had left wide open. His hair swayed back and forth, The spines of his ebony hair illuminated in the chromatic glow of light outside.

Once he reached the doorway, He gazed back at her, If only for a second. His golden eyes laid upon her, What could've possibly be going through his mind at that moment gone unquestioned to the unconscious woman slumbering on her bed.

He turned away, His hand gripping the shoji door began to pull it over. Sliding it along the doorframe, Watching as the aquamarine light began to grow dimmer and dimmer inside the room before the door shut over entirely.

☆♡☆

"Ah.. And you, I see.. What was your name again? I so sincerely apologise but I don't think I can recall..!"

It was hard to describe.. But it smelt of mourning.

The kind of flower blossomed only to celebrate the wilted. Pungent, Fresh air seeming to roll off the petals yet the entire place reeked of beautiful death. Lotuses, Their dove feather petals shone under the candlelight.

The pristine ivory flowers drifted by atop the water ponds lining the hallway, Rocking back and forth on the miniature waves. He peered beside him, Watching as another floated by on the thin water strip leading up to the centrepiece of the room.

The entire room was only lit by several dozen votives, The room alight in a dark orange hue from their whisping embers, Flickering with each drift of the inside wind. On candle holders, Candelabras they were everywhere.

He could see several monks stood off to the side, Lingering around the lumber archways lining the hallway like a catholic church. He could see them peering over at him, Hidden in their little nooks as they dissected him with their beady eyes.

They were all dressed head to toe in that same purified white, The exact same shade of the lotuses that festered around them.

"Ah.. Yes, I remember you now! Teiji, Was it~?"

A voice reverberated out from within the hallway, One that Teiji was all too familiar with.

It seemed much bigger than the expanse of the room itself, Yet the voice was soft and playful. It was cheerful and in the right context could even be described as calming. Even so, Teiji couldn't relax in his prescense.

"Y-Yes.. That is my name, Your grace." He answered, Head bowed as low as it could be, Almost pressing against the reflective floorboards. An acknowledging hum came back to him, Echoing throughout the long hall. Teiji felt the cold run of sweat start to trickle down his brow, Unable to see the glory of the prophet before him.

His lazing figure was only illuminated by the moonlight streaming in from the high window behind him. He sat down, His legs basketed on a rather large pillow. Twin war fans of equal golden shimmer started to glisten in the moonlight, Light rolling off them as they fluttered.

Chromatic eyes, Irises of every colour from red to blue stared down at the prostrated man. His figure knelt, Head pressed against the ground in a show of respect.

A sharp glint in the prophets eyes started to appear.

"Now, Now.. There isn't any reason to be so tense there, We're all comfortable here, Aren't we~?"

Teiji was the very definition of uncomfortable, Being dragged out of bed in the middle of the night. Told he had a summoning with his grace before being thrown rather roughly before him.

None of it helped to make him feel safe.

"Ah.. You must be wondering why you were brought here tonight, I assure you.. It's nothing to worry about!" The prophet mused as his fan fluttered against his face, Cool air hitting his skin. "Just a simple question.."

"Of course.. Your grace." Teiji replied once more, His heart in his throat and dripping in his own lather.

The candlelight flickered, Dark orange hues blinking back and forth under the heavy weight of the room. Despite the sweltering heat from the fire and the glares he felt, It was almost as if time froze.

Almost dragging along, Waiting and watching.

"Perfect." The prophet mused with a grin. "Now as I've been told.. You have been behaving rather off recently, Haven't you? Some of your peers have come to me with their concerns, Saying that you haven't been participating in social activities, Ever since the recent festival in the village!"

A chill ran down Teiji's spine like frigid water, His jaw wound shut like a mechanical doll. Damn them, His peers. Teiji should've known that they would've gone to the monks about his behaviour, They told them everything after all.

Even after everything, Every event he participated in just to seem as regular as he usually was and acting like his brothers weren't gone. Someone had noticed, Someone had ratted him out.

The prophet frowned.

"Of course I worry for all of my followers, Your happiness here is my most important priority!" He fretted, Shaking his head as his fan continued to flitter. "So it saddens me to hear that one of you have become distant. Please, Don't be afraid to tell me what's wrong..~!"

Teiji swallowed, His mouth pooling in his own saliva. Could he really tell the founder? The man who had lead him and his flock through unnavigable storms, Who only weeks ago had told him that he had no idea where his brothers went?

The monks, The ones lingering by the votives pyre. They stared at him with an equally burning gaze, Their robes the colour of doves being unstained. They were listening to them, To their conversation.

The ones most certainly responsible for the disappearance of his siblings, No doubt.

Voicing his allegations, His accusations towards the monks in front of them could prove fatal. But would he really have any other chance to do so? The way they dissected him like a frog by their eyes, Teiji knew they'd do something even if he didn't speak his worries.

"Y-Your grace.. I must admit I am just a bit afraid." Teiji could barely contain his stammer through his grimace. "I am rather hesitant to say in front of so many, Perhaps it would be better to speak to you in private..?"

His grace hummed.

"Everyone here I trust from the bottom of my heart, I assure you that nothing spoken in here will leave this room!" He assured, Almost leaning forward on the large cushion he lazed upon. "I can make sure of that.."

Teiji's breath hitched.

He had to try.

He breathed out.

"..My brothers." He started, Eyes darting back and forth as if trying to find the words to say. "I-I came to you a few weeks ago about their disappearance, I was informed that they had ran away during the night but.. I'm having trouble believing that."

"Oh?" The prophet prompted, Raising a brow.

"..I believe that there may have been- And forgive me if I mispeak here, Your grace.. But, I believe there might have been some foul play." Teiji finally finished, The bead of sweat dripping down his brow finally dropped to the floor. His breath going stagnant with it.

The room fell silent, Much more than it was before.

Even the settling of the main hall felt deathly quiet, Nothing moving even an inch.

The monks gathering under the archways especially, Some going rigidly still. The bolder ones, However, Started to dart their eyes back and forth. From Teiji to their founder sat crowned at the top, Almost waiting for commands.

The sway of his fan, It paused mid-flutter. His graces gaze lowered as he looked at Teiji, Examining him just like the monks did only a few moments ago. Teiji could feel his stare burn onto the top of his head, The one pressed directly onto the floor.

"Aha.."

Teiji's lips thinned, Eyes widening as he heard it.

Could he have imagined it?

Then another came, And then another.

"Aha! I understand now! You're upset about your brothers leaving, Yes?" The prophet laughed, Almost relieved. "You must be wondering where they went. You must feel so horrible for them abandoning you.. Perhaps even betrayed? No wonder you suspect such a silly thing like foul play! You must want to find them, Yes?" The prophet asked, Smile widening.

Teiji gulped, Finally hauling his shaky head up to meet the visage of his founder. Eyes connecting only for a moment as Teiji slowly nodded, Confirming His Grace's words with the gesture.

The prophet hummed. The fan flicked to cover the wild grin appearing on the bottom of his face like a butterfly knife, The gold shimmer shining under the streaming moonlight. Just looking at the man before him..

Of course, He had been aware of what this one had been doing in his free time. His loyal disciples doing their job so wonderfully well, Reporting the ebony crow flying off into the air with a scroll tied up on it's necklace.

The prophet breathed out, His smile broadened to their very limits.

"I'm sure I can reunite you all very soon."

Next Chapter

#yandere #yandere x reader #tw yandere #yandere x you #demon slayer #kny #demon slayer kimetsu no yaiba #kimetsu no yaiba #moodboard #kokushibo x you #kokushibo #kokushibo x reader #yandere kokushibo #yandere kokushibo x reader #demon slayer fanfic #demon slayer x child reader #Kokushibo #kimestu no yaiba #kny x reader #demon slayer x reader #yandere platonic kokushibo #yandere platonic #upper moons #kokushibo x y/n #kokushibo headcanons #demon slayer shinobu #kny x you #michikatsu tsugikuni #michikatsu x reader #kny michikatsu

[trancylovecraft]

(KNY) YANDERE PLATONIC! KOKUSHIBO x SISTER READER: You, Shibou. I, Kokoro (CHAPTER FIFTEEN)

Previous Chapter ☆♡☆ Masterlist ☆♡☆ Next Chapter

AO3 link

CHAPTER FIFTEEN: "..Soldier on, Achilles."

Amnesia is the loss of memory. It can inhibits the formation of new memories and/or the recollection of old ones. Several regions of the brain are involved in the process of memory including the amygdala, hippocampus, cerebellum, and prefrontal cortex. Damage to one or more of these areas can often result in post-traumatic amnesia.

Shizuko sat still, Legs closed and basketed at the end of the table.

The dark spots of his eyes remained enthralled upon the udon bowl before him, Unwavering as he watched the liquid residue of the noodle inside reflect the lights of the small dining room he sat in.

It was like watching fish make ripples in a pond. A quirk on his lips and a scrunch of his face, Tongue bit. He didn't even dare to pick up the lone pair of chopsticks sat beside the bowl, Seemingly went unnoticed by the boy.

Neither did the dim interior of the room, Where the sunlight of the brisk morning just didn't reach the small room. Only spits of radiance shining through the perfect square grid shoji-walls, No thin paper to let the sun from the surrounded garden shine in.

Despite the lack of light, Shizuko scrutinized the Tupperware, Scowling at the meal inside.

"Seriously, What the hell is that thinking face? You're lookin' at your udon like it offended you personally, Aren't you gonna eat it?"

Shizuko jerked his head up at the brash jest coming from across the table. Wide, Owlish eyes glaring back at Genya who spoke them.

Suddenly snapping back into reality, Registering the small dining room that they were located in.

"Mind your business. I'll eat it on my own time, You just focus on yours." Shizuko retorted, Quickly and despondent as he vaguely gestured towards Genya's own majority-eaten portion of Udon.

Shizuko swiftly retracted his hand afterwards, Defiantly tossing his head to the side to stare off somewhere else within the room. Anywhere but at him, Shizuko had better things to think about right now.

Genya's eyes narrowed, The pair of chopsticks entwined between his rough fingers lowered, Dropping into the bowl.

"..You're thinking about what happened back at the old Kakushi Base, Aren't you?" He asked, Knowing the answer not with words but by the way Shizuko snapped his eyes back over to his.

They widened like saucers, Accusatory in stance as he tried to keep his cool.

"Wow, Detective. How'd you figure that one out?" Shizuko retorted, Finally plucking the chopsticks from beside his bowl and scooping up the udon noodle inside. The woollen gloves hugging his hand being the only thing stopping from puking up at the touch.

Genya and Shizuko, The two renowned Tsuguko of Gyomei Himejima. Constantly in competition and combat with each other, Sparring or spat used interchangeably. Ever since they were both younger and in the care of their master, It had been that way.

So with all the time they had been together there was no question that Genya would be able to tell when Shizuko's off, Especially if it had been happening for a few months. Ever since that day in the billowing mountainside, Shizuko had just been.. Strange.

The ticking of his eye tocked a little more often, His sensitive fingertips were just a little more potent. He woke up just a little later, Sloppier when it came to training.

Genya could tell that it irked him.

"Whatever, I'm just saying that it's been months since it happened. I mean, I'm still pissed about it too but I mean.. Come on, Man." He scoffed, Rolling his eyes as he finally tossed down his chopsticks into the finished bowl, Only pungent residue remaining within the ceramic.

The other boy however paused the movements of his own chopsticks, Just before the udon noodle touched his lips.

"It's not like you could understand, You weren't there! You were stuck helping out on evacuations!" Shizuko scowled as he lowered his hand, Troubled face even more gnarly with that expression on his face.

Genya lowered a brow.

"Oh, You're going on about your fight with Upper Six." He said, Starting to sort his used Tupperware into a neat pile. "..You know, Neither you or Himejima-sensei has spoke about it. What did go down there..?"

Genya's follow on was much quieter than his starting statement, Dark eyes honing on Shizuko with a sharp glint. Since the Shrine Invasion neither Shizuko or Gyomei had talked about their brawl with the Uppermoon.

Not a lick or lisp of the event, A seemingly wordless agreement between the two to keep it under wraps. Genya couldn't deny he was curious. Especially since it was the catalyst for his allies discomfort.

Shizuko's lips pursed together, Thinning along with his eyes starting to wander off in what seemed to be thought.

The grip on his chopsticks tightened, Almost snapping them in half.

"..Upper Six, He was.. He was my friend.. Ne, Someone I was raised with and someone I use to consider my brother.." Shizuko whispered, His voice almost a brush in the air or a prayer amongst thousands.

His eyes focused on nothing, Nothing except the blizzard and the electric blue that chased it. Almost possessed, His gloved hand twitched and moved on its own, Covered fingertips raising to near graze his forehead under the mess of his curls.

They were shaking, His fingers. Even more once they brushed against his skin.

"He's.. He's the reason I had my accident, The reason I.. The reason I can't remember anything." His fingers entangled within the wilderness of his hair, Swiftly wrangling back his curls to reveal his forehead.

Large, Swollen and horribly malformed were only the first few words that came to mind. A massive scar where a gash had for no doubt once lain, Shaped like a star and mis-coloured from the rest of his skin, It was hideous and most seemingly painful.

Genya's eyes went ajar. The scar he was aware of through missed strikes of a training sword or a stray gust of wind, All accidents that were quickly covered up.

But now..?

Gloved fingers grasped at the scar on his forehead, Ever so slightly tighter and so absent-mindedly that the disgust of the sensation was forgotten in the moment, Along with the memories of how the scar appeared.

The only thing he recalled from that night was the emotion he felt. Betrayal, Terror and agonising pain. His head bashing against the far wall, Ichor bursting from the wound and the blood loss flowing out along with his memory lost.

That, And his face.

His childhood, Everything before he had came to the old monastery was gone like a drop in the sea. Forgotten in the waves of time, The only thing he remembered..

That touch, That warm touch..

It was divine.

"..I'm sorry." Genya finally spoke up, Much more serious in tone as he looked at him in shock. "I shouldn't of brought it up. Just forget I said anything.."

Shizuko sighed, Hand finally relenting from his forehead as the nauseating feeling of touch returned to him.

"No, You're right. Ngh.. I shouldn't be caught up in it, It's not like Kaigaku means anything to me anymore. He's dead in my eyes, Left us and became a demon.." Shizuko mumbled as he finally returned the udon to his lips, Starting to chew.

Genya shuffled on his knees, Now uncomfortable as the silence returned. The sounds of the early day and the chirp of the crickets in the square garden outside was no longer a comfort, Nor the birds warble in the trees, Just unsettled now.

Shizuko frowned, Sipping up the noodle into his mouth.

"Ne.. Either way, I have another demon to replace him." Shizuko chewed, Now directly gesturing to Genya with his chopsticks. Sly and sarcastic grin spreading his face, Watching as Genya's jaw dropped.

"Eh..?! Oh come on, I thought we were having a good moment there!" Genya exclaimed, A weathered fist slamming down onto the table which made the Tupperware atop shake and clatter together.

Shizuko however, Wasn't as startled as the dishes.

"Why, What's wrong? I'm just stating the obvious here, It's not my fault you're a demon muncher." Shizuko replied with an ever-smug grin on his face to which Genya scoffed at.

"It's not my fault you've got a girls name!" Genya retorted, Scrunch in his nose.

"Hey! It's not mine either, You think I wanted this name? What shitty caregiver I had must've hated me.." Shizuko muttered now with a slight tick to the smugness in his grin, Afterwards tossing the chopsticks onto the table and cupping the bowl to bring it to his lips.

Genya huffed.

"Must have, Though to be fair who wouldn't take one look at you and feel unbearable disgust." He jested, Trying to lighten the mood yet it seemed too heavy to be lifted as Shizuko didn't jab back.

A bad sign, Written in the boldest of inks.

Genya's smile lowered as he lowered his head along with Shizuko's, Awkward tension filling the air now. Shizuko tilted his head upwards towards the wood-panel ceiling, Bowl raising as he felt the savoury liquids enter his mouth.

He took a moment, Leftover toppings of broken seaweed and tofu chunks to chase it. It flooded onto his tongue until there was nothing but running droplets in the ceramic, Shizuko slammed it down with an audible clank!

Shizuko wiped his mouth on the sleeve of his clover-coloured kimono.

"Ngh.. Done." He breathed, Throwing a hand onto the tatami floor (Making sure it was just the start of his palm, Not his fingertips) to push himself up. "..I think I need to go take a walk in the garden for a bit.. I need to clear my head."

Genya blinked.

"Hey.. I didn't actually upset you, Right? You know I didn't mean that, Just said it to piss you off is all.." He admitted as he watched Shizuko get to his feet, Shake his hair until it was in an acceptable position and turn away.

"Ne, I know. I'm just not feeling well, Training from earlier really got to me is all.." Shizuko replied, Not turning back to Genya who still sat though a little more disgruntled than he was before.

He could only watch as his ally dragged his feet over to the sliding door. With practice, Using his elbow to push it open. Shizuko didn't look back at Genya and Genya knew that it wasn't what he said that irked him so.

It was still the Shrine Incident.

Genya wanted to know what really was up with him, But he wasn't exactly the right person to deal with it. He wasn't there, He didn't know his past with the new Upper Six, Nor was he there when he had his accident.

It was best that he stayed out of it, For now at least. Genya picked up the finished dishes, Cupping the Tupperware in his hands and not even getting annoyed at the ones Shizuko had left for him, He had other things to think about.

Genya just hoped Shizuko would search out the man who could cater to his worries. He sighed as he opened the adjacent door the the one Shizuko left from, Carefully balancing the ceramic in his hands, He started to march towards the kitchen.

☆♡☆

"There.. It seems to be all healed now.."

The ever-dim darkness of the false shrine was finally broken by the faint light of a rusty lantern, The amber light flickered against the decaying walls like the ember inside. It sat on her bedside, Right next to the eaten bowl of udon licked clean.

As ever, The infinity castle was cold. But even more so against the bareness of [F/N]'s skin, Her mid-section once kept warm and bound by bandages was now naked, The garments laying in a scarf-like heap on the old floors.

She felt down her stomach where the stitches once were, That life-threatening gash that near took her like and most certainly put her in a weeks long coma. It was a miracle that she was still alive, That she had came out of it without any chronic debility.

So much so that there wasn't even a scar..

"I see.." [F/N] whispered as she laid her cold palm on her equally cold stomach, Shivering in the brisk air, Hair on her nape standing up. A strange sensation as her time was mostly spent within the cold peaks of her Shrine.

Her eyes were focused entirely on her gut, An uneasy-wonder as she looked at the scratch-less skin.

Kokushibo stood only a few metres away from her, The reason the chill had affected her so much in the first place. Her muscles still tense from his presence, That and the fact that she had barely anything on apart from a Koshimaki and a thinnish layer of bandages she had used a chest cover.

His eyes, Six glowing eyes that were even brighter than the faint spark of the lantern-light beside him. They examined her, Her injury or lack-there-of especially. He just stood there silently, Not moving a muscle facial or otherwise.

She knew very well that he wouldn't try anything, No, Whatever obsession he had with her was never like that. But it still made her feel vulnerable and easy to attack. An instinct from her childhood days.

Never leave yourself defenceless..

"..Do you mind if you just.. Leave the room while I change?" [F/N] exasperated, Headache brewing in her mind both from the current situation and what happened yesterday. "No offense, Kokushibo-sama.. But it's just disturbing when you stand there like that.."

Kokushibo's lip twitched, Only a tick.

"..We will be heading off to do your daily training straight after, There would be no point in me leaving.. Either way, It isn't anything I haven't seen before.." Kokushibo replied, Stone-faced and stoic as his voice rumbled in the room.

[F/N] swallowed, Disgust running on her tongue and sweat dripping down her neck yet it hadn't even gotten to the sparring part yet.

"..Right" [F/N] gulped, Swallowing down the nauseating distain pooling and festering in her mouth. "Then if you could just turn around that would be fine, I'd.. I'd just prefer if you weren't watching.."

As soon as the words left her lips, Drifted into the frozen air of the room she had waited for him to turn.

But he didn't.

Kokushibo continued to stand there, Stiller than she was as she waited for him to look away. But instead all six of his eyes continued to linger on her, Wandering away from her injury to her side, Sickly golden slits narrowing.

Had she done something wrong? Was there something she had somehow let out on her persons? What was he looking at..?!

Kokushibo hummed, A single step towards her that sounded like exploding rocks made her repress the urge to back away. His hand reached out, Slow like a knife preparing to cut. Talons and all as they grazed her side.

A burning pain shot through her side, [F/N]'s muscles tensed up.

"I wonder.. How did you get an injury like this?" Kokushibo drawled as he examined the bruised skin, Slightly tugging her around so he could get a better look at where Akaza had jabbed into her.

Her saving shot, Or whatever it would be called, The one where he broke his vow to hurt a woman but aided her all the while.

[F/N] would've rolled her eyes if it wasn't for the ice currently running through her blood.

"It's.." [F/N] directed her eyes away from Kokushibo, Tounging at the side of her mouth to try and come up with some explanation she could tell him.

Tell him that she tried to commit suicide? Her captor of all people? [F/N] still felt a deep regret burning in her for telling Akaza, Her state of mind warped back then, She wished she had just kept her mouth shut.

So there was no way that she would ever tell Kokushibo. Not like he "sympathised" with her or whatever, Not like he still had some inkling of humanity in him unlike Akaza.

No, He was just a monster.

"You still haven't told me how you injured your wrist.. Is there something you aren't telling me?" Kokushibo mumbled as his eyes snapped over to her bandaged hand, The injury she had caused when she had punched a wall into the shrine's structure.

His gaze sharpened.

"..I do hope that my Tsuguko hasn't garnered any.. Distasteful feelings for your prescence here again. Tell me, How did you gain these injuries..?" Kokushibo lowered himself so that his eyes met with hers, Stabbing, Piercing into her.

Her lips thinned.

"..I tripped down the stairs, Hit my side and my fist at the same time. You know, Kokushibo-sama, You should see to getting some kind of banister lining them.. This isn't the first time I near fell down them.." [F/N] responded, Snake's tongue speaking quick and somewhat formal yet she still refused to look at him.

Though for some reason, The lies she use to taste didn't come so sour anymore.

"..Ah, So my comment about your footwork wasn't taken to heart then.." Kokushibo remarked, Referencing his constant jabs at her apparently flawed "footwork". He retracted his hands, And [F/N] tried not to scrunch her nose up.

Was he trying to make some kind of joke?

[F/N] just silently stared at the floor, Almost waiting for his next move as he stepped back away from her. The air much more thick, The consistency of tar. She didn't laugh, Neither did Kokushibo as he continued to stare dead at her.

[F/N] kept her eyes on the floorboards, Not looking up at him. Kokushibo breathed out.

"..Go get ready. It is time for you to test your strength once more.." He spoke, Stepping back just a little further, Feeling the depression of the floorboards move away to the other side of the room.

[F/N] sighed, Shivering once more within the nipping atmosphere of the Shrine. Shaking off the still aching bruise on her side, She scoffed once she realised Kokushibo had turned his back to her, Giving her some semblance of privacy.

Sparring, Even though he knew she was injured. [F/N] stumbled over to the closet not even a metre away. Kokushibo didn't even bat a single eye, And he had many. [F/N] asked herself why he even wanted to clash swords with her.

He knew she was strong, She fought against him a few months ago as a formidable opponent. [F/N] fished out her old samue set, The one she used often to train in. Now she had been turned into nothing but a caged animal to be poked with by sticks.

He didn't need to test her strength, She was cursed with it. [F/N] was the one who killed a thousand of his kind, The one who gave him a run for his own money, The one who fought Upper Three barehand on this very roof for fuck-sakes!

Maybe he liked torturing her, That was it.

[F/N] pulled the trouser half of the samue up from her ankles to her waist, Slipped her arms through the loose-fabric sleeves. She folded it over her, Set it in place. Making sure everything was fine, She dusted it off.

It wasn't like she didn't deserve the beat-downs, It's not like she didn't want him to go too far one day. She deserved it after all, The blood of hundreds still ran down her. It's why she couldn't bare to look in the mirror, To catch a glimpse of that red.

She strained her eyes away even now, Much preferring to turn back to Kokushibo and tell him that she was done. Kokushibo cocked his head to the side, Examining her up and down before he wordlessly stepped out of the door.

[F/N] didn't need words to understand he wanted her to follow, She did soundlessly, Just wanting to get this over with.

☆♡☆

The light filtered through the diamond-like holes in the walls, A designed pattern meant to illuminate the estate during the day.

The air was cool, Not the kind on a summers day but instead the faint chill of a golden hour autumn. A strong wind to blow through the hair and fabric of anyone caught in it. It was strange since it was the middle of spring, But the mix of both leaving summer heat and oncoming winter cold made it feel like it was much later in the year than it actually was.

Shizuko stumbled through the hallways, Wooden floorboards depressing under his minimum weight. He had traversed the rather linear hallways thousands of times, Yet he felt lost in his gait, A direction unknown.

He gazed towards the gardens, Barely lifting his head to catch glimpses of the carefully trimmed bushes and miniature lakes within. It was surrounded by the rest of Himejima's estate, A sort of plaza kept safe in the squared layout of the house.

He watched the water of the tiny stream trickle along the garden, Watched as the carefully made buddha statues held the aqua in their palms and guided it on their course. The reeds and the rye-grass all a vibrant green.

Shizuko sighed, Scrunching up his face. Genya bringing up his incident with Upper Six seemed to make him much more irked than he had previously thought. Now some weight was placed upon his chest, Now some throb came through the abrasion on his head.

The faraway aria of the birds wasn't anything that could calm him, Not right now. Nor the crickets chirp or the trickle of stream, Everything was just so.. Numbing now. It made him grimace as he paced the halls.

His memory was perfect. If you picked out a date, Any year, Any month, Any day. He could tell you exactly what he did as if it was written out plain as day. What he ate for breakfast, A word for word recite of the conversation he had with his master, Or even how many birds flew past him that day.

But he couldn't remember that.

Ever since his head was cut and mauled, He couldn't recall a single day before then. He might as well have just appeared one day. Everything before then was just a blur, Just one hot mess.

Except.. For that one feeling. The one that he felt on his hands as if it was yesterday, The only touch he could ever tolerate, Or even yearn for. It felt otherworldly, Comforting. That person of muddled face was like a god themselves, Elusive and unobtainable.

Shizuko wanted to know who they were, Who that person really was. But Shizuko didn't know who, Or where to even start looking. His master hadn't known either, Just recalling he had been left at their doorstep one day.

His master.

Shizuko stopped in his walk, A stumbled halt as he finally pulled his head over to the door beside him.

It was his master's private room he had built to pray in, The one always shadowed by the dark and candle-light was shown like stars in the night. Shizuko paused as he looked at the door, Faintly hearing the chants of sutras inside.

He was there, His master was inside.

Shizuko made an effort to be quiet, Careful not to step on any of the floorboards he knew would creak. He steadied himself on the doorframe, Leaning over so he could peer through the crack in the door.

And there he was, In all of his glory.

Shizuko could only see the back of his saturated-lime haori, The one emboldened with kanji. He saw his prayer beads and heard the faint clacking of them hitting each other, The sutra's also getting much louder.

Shizuko debated whether he should knock or not, Whether he should disturb him as he prayed at the candle-lit altar. Gyomei probably didn't want to talk about it, Hell, Shizuko didn't want to either-

"..You can come in."

Shizuko's eyes widened, Just now realising the sound of the beads clacking and his sutra's had went silent.

Gyomei turned his head to the side, And even though he was blind, Shizuko could swear that he was staring right into him with those white-out eyes. Gyomei waited, Shizuko barely snapped out of it before he answered.

"..R-Right, Sir." Shizuko stammered as he pushed open the door, Bowing down low in a sign of respect before stepping in. Gyomei turned around on his knees, Facing him now with his hands still together in prayer.

Shizuko closed the door only slightly behind him, The darkness becoming all the more present as he stood there awkwardly in front of his master.

He sighed.

"..I'm sorry for bothering you during your prayer, Himejima-sensei." Shizuko started, Formal in tone as he bowed once more to the man. "I just wanted to talk to you is all. I.. I have a lot of stuff on my mind right now."

The beads surrounding Gyomei's hands chattered together, Gyomei seeming to take in his words.

"I see.. Then please, Let me ask what bothers you so.. It would not be wise to keep it to yourself.." Gyomei advised in his ever-solemn tone, Bowing down slightly before gesturing him to sit down.

Shizuko nodded and took his offer, Hurrying over to the empty spot in front of the man and sitting himself down neatly atop it.

After settling down and the curls of hair were parted from his eyes, He took a moment for himself. Still hearing the crackle of the candle fire in the back, He listened to it for only a second as if trying to find the words to say.

"Begin whenever you like.." Gyomei assured, Nodding once in encouragement to his Tsuguko.

Shizuko sighed.

"Thank you.. It's just I've been thinking a lot lately, You know.. About the night at the Kakushi Base?" He explained, Slightly hesitant as he eyed the older man for his reaction.

Gyomei's frown deepened, Sharpening as the soft clacking of the beads started to pick up. Shizuko deflated, Knowing he had stricken a cord somewhere.

"..Ah, Yes.. I suppose I should have known that we would have this conversation one day, In fact.. I believe I even might have been expecting it ever since that accursed day in the snow.." Gyomei admitted, Slowly nodding to his words.

Shizuko bit his lip, Vision seemingly elsewhere as he tried to hold back the spill of words.

"I-I mean.. Kaigaku.. How could he do something like this? How could he become the thing that killed our family, My siblings..! Did we just not matter to him?" Shizuko scoffed. "Of course we dont.. How could I say that he gives a shit when he went and became a people-eater?"

Shizuko muttered, Suddenly forgetting his manners as he spoke. Knuckles near popping as he gripped the hems of his green haori, Near ripping the fabric in two at the memory. Gyomei hummed, Brows furrowing.

"Kaigaku has always been troubled.. He stole, He thieved and he robbed.. But he always did it for the sake of us, Shizuko. Kaigaku has become undesirable and an enemy to the corps. But I admit.. I do have blame to take for the way he has turned out." Gyomei spoke, Growing much softer.

Shizuko finally looked up at the man, Staring him dead in the face. Disbelieving as he shook his head, Barely hiding a scoff.

"Ne, Kaigaku was always a rat.. You had no part to play in it, Sensei. He deceived us, He lied to us, He used us for money! He.." Shizuko croaked, Teeth starting to bare as he resisted the urge to grasp his head. "H-He let that demon maul my face.."

Gyomei's lips thinned as he listened on to his Tsuguko's words, Hearing as his talk start to become a rant.

"..I understand, That night was the worst one of your entire life.. And it was mine too. When I laid my fists upon the demon that killed my kids, When I found out of what Kaigaku had done.. I felt rage, I felt anger at everything that denounced my Buddhist vows, I felt rage towards Kaigaku and his ignorant actions.." Tears now started to flood faster down his cheeks, Hot as they dripped onto his hands of prayer.

His frown sharpened.

"But looking back, I know I should have discouraged that boy.. I had chose to forget of his thieving actions because we needed the money. I knew he was troubled and chose to ignore it.. It is my fault that he turned out as such." Gyomei finished, The sorrow in his voice much more potent.

Shizuko couldn't supress a sneer anymore.

"..Every time I bring him up, You always take blame for his actions! You keep saying that he was just troubled- Why can't you just accept that he's a monster? Both now and then?!" Shizuko spat, Pushing himself up to the floor now with a single hand.

Gyomei turned his head up towards where he had stood, Proceeding to follow him up to the floor as he got onto his feet, Easily overshadowing the boy before him. Shizuko

He knew he had to diffuse this quickly.

"Shizuko, It's a complicated an-"

"I DON'T WANT ANOTHER EXCUSE!" Shizuko finally whipped his head to look up at him with angry eyes, He was pissed, Knuckles near popping as he tried to get up in the face of the admittedly taller man. Shizuko seethed.

"I don't want some stupid explanation as for why Kaigaku was just troubled! Or- Or- Deserving of sympathy! E-Even back then you refused to kill him, Even though he's a demon!" Shizuko cried, Starting to stumble over his words as he bared his teeth at his master.

"I-Isn't that what you keep harping about? Our duty as a demon slayer being to kill every last one? Not to rest until you do?" Shizuko reiterated, Shaking his head as he approached him "Y-You could've just killed him back in the snow, But you didn't.."

"I couldn't kill one of my kids.. Shizuko. Not you nor Kaigaku, No matter how far he may have fallen.." Gyomei lamented, Shaking his head. "You know how much it pains me to kill.. To go against my vows as a monk."

"So what?! He's a demon now, Not a human being! You said it yourself, You insulted him too!" The younger jabbed, Incredulous, Looking at the man with ire and confused anger.

Shizuko stepped back, Looking at the man he admired with such unfound before disgust. What respect was usually given was held back now, Only giving venomous looks that Gyomei could only feel burning into him.

Kaigaku, The person now demon that was the reason his family was dead, Why that monster mutilated his face. Why couldn't his master understand that? That he should be just as angry as he was.

Gyomei on the other hand, He had foresaw this coming, He had for months. He knew that this talk had to happen eventually and thus kept himself calm, Not a muscle tensed or ticked.

He tried to reach out a hand, To place on Shizuko's shoulder.

"-I said it so you could get behind him without him noticing." Gyomei corrected "..I feel rage at the boy, I promise you that I do.. But I should not let it get the better of me, Not like it did back on that horrid day.." Gyomei deplored. And if Shizuko looked close, He could see his hands-in-prayer start to shake.

The feeling of fists on flesh, Beating the bloody pulp of that demon into the ground until the sun hit his face. It was gorey, The feeling of hot blood spurting out onto his knuckles. He had never felt so fallen from grace before, Not before he truly found out how strong he was.

Even now he felt the blood trickle down his fingers just like it was yesterday, Like it was still there..

But now he felt Shizuko slap away the hand he offered him, Consumed by the moment and his enraged heart. Gyomei could only feel sorrow for the boy as he continued.

"Y-You keep saying stuff you don't mean, It wasn't even just at the shrine! You.. Why can't you just understand that he's the reason that our family is dead..! H-He's the reason that I lost my memories.. He's.." Shizuko's rage, The one that spilled out in rage started to turn out in tears.

They started to speckle his eyes, His mouth growing more humid by the moment as his lungs started to burn.

His face was still snarled, The candles embers still burning bright even as they flickered. The darkness of the room barely covered the anguish behind his voice.

"Y-You don't even know where the hell I came from..!" Shizuko mourned, Voice wheezing and choking from his throat. The tears in his eyes started to build, Boiling like a pot, Stinging him.

Gyomei sighed, Stepping towards him.

"Please just-!" Shizuko stammered, His voice dying down to a near whisper before the tears finally spilled over his eyes.

"..J-Just tell me who the hell I am."

Gyomei reached out once more, And this time Shizuko didn't argue once he felt the firm hand of his mentor grasp his shoulder.

He was shaking like a leaf, A rare moment when his resolve started to tremble like a tree in a storm. Shizuko's fists were balled yet he threw no punches, Only dropped his head down to stare at them as he tried not to weep harder than he already was.

Gyomei's hand squeezed his shoulder, A single thumb rubbing circles into it. His touch was unfortunately revolting, Making Shizuko tense up. But despite the disgust coursing through his veins, He didn't shake it off.

He didn't want to, Even though it made him want to sob even harder.

"..I'm sorry, I wish I could give you the answer that you desire but that is not for me to give." Gyomei assured, His voice was soft yet it sounded so loud within the darkness of the prayer room.

"..Who you are is for you to decide. My rage got the best of me once, And it almost became who I was. But I never let it consume me.. And I have tried so very hard to make sure it never happens again." Gyomei spoke "So please.. Trust me when I say that who you are is who you choose to become.. Neither your lost memories or your anger define you, Not unless you let them.."

Shizuko sniffled.

"B-But that's just it, Isn't it?" Shizuko croaked, Wiping his tears on the sleeve of his yukata. "I do remember just the tiniest bit.."

Gyomei's eyebrows knitted together, The thumb rubbing circles into his shoulder halted, Just for a moment.

"..Whatever do you mean?" Gyomei asked.

"T-There's someone out there that knows who I use to be. There's someone out there who held my goddamn hand.. And hell, It felt nice." Shizuko admitted as the dried tears quickly became replaced, Falling down quicker once that otherworldly warmth came back to him.

Gyomei however, Whatever reaction Shizuko had been expecting from him. Shock, Intrigued, Happy that he had at least some memories. And sure, There was some of that there but it was taken over by something else.

Something more.. It was something more hesitant.

Shizuko caught onto it immediatley, Observant eye able to pick up the oddities in his expression.

He sniffled, Scrunching up his face as he shook the newly born tears off.

"..You.. You don't know who that is, Right?" Shizuko asked, Stutter still in his voice yet more pronounced and steady now. Gyomei thinned his lips, The intensity in his muscles becoming much more visible.

"Shizuko.." Gyomei drawled which just made Shizuko move forward, Eyes on him like a hawk, Not letting them wander for a second. The way he was acting, Though difficult to see in the dark.. He knew something.

"..Master." Shizuko replied, Slowly and with intent as he carefully eyed the taller man who was currently in debate of his own. Stiff as the statues he prayed to at the altar behind him, Cold stone on his face as he played out the discourse in his head.

He recalls the conversation he had with Kanroji back at the Hashira Meeting, When they had discussed [F/N] and her relation to Shizuko as his older sister. It was a good while ago now, But he still felt confused by it all.

Everything. How he was simply tossed on the temples doorsteps as a child, How he spoke of an older sister. Knowing now that it was [F/N], A colleague he had allied with for years, It shone an entire new light on everything now..

Yet somehow, He was still in the dark.

"Shizuko.. " Gyomei muttered, His morals at war.

"Alright then.. But keeping lies is against my morals and good concious, If he does ask about anything pertaining to this then I will not lie to him.. And I do hope you tell him in due time, Kanroji-san"

It was against his morals and his good concious, It would be a sin to lie to him. But on the other hand.. How could he possibly begin to explain to him something Gyomei couldn't even explain himself?

"Master.. Please. Tell me, Do you know something..?" Shizuko whispered, As faint as the candles waning. His eyes scanned over every facial feature, Ones he had learned the ticks and tocks to. "Do you.. You do, You do know something..!"

There was no way around it. No avenue or alleyway he could divert down to direct the conversation to a different topic. He needed to be honest, Be truthful. That was what his principles spoke of, Right?

"Shizuko.. I've been meaning to tell yo-"

"CAW CAW!"

The call of that all too familiar beast called out, Followed by a sudden sound of what seemed to be rapid tapping at one of the room's window frames.

Gyomei instantly snapped his head over to where the sound was coming from, Where the window was hidden behind several rich tapestries depicting stories from his religion. Suddenly feeling awkward, Shizuko stared as his master moved towards the window, Peel back the tapestries and let light flood into the room.

It was blinding compared to the shadow the room was bathed in, Making Shizuko stammer back and raise a hand to cover his eyes. Gyomei, Unaffected, Slid the window-shutter open to reveal the crow behind them.

It's feathers shone under the afternoon light, Light near rolling off them. Once Shizuko got use to the light he finally recognised the crow as Kamakiri, The Insect Hashira's crow, One he had often seen flying around in Corps Area's he often loitered around in.

Her beak snapped once, The little butterfly charm around her neck shaking as she spoke.

"CAW CAW! STONE HASHIRA HIMEJIMA GYOMEI! YOU HAVE BEEN ASKED TO MEET AT THE BUTTERFLY MANSION ON THE REQUEST OF MY MASTER, INSECT HASHIRA KOCHO SHINOBU!"

Kamikiri's voice was loud, Echoing out throughout the entire room as she delivered her message. Gyomei hummed, Rattling the beads snaking around his hands.

"For what reason..? Did your master give you any cause?" Gyomei asked.

"NO REASON WAS GIVEN HOWEVER IT WAS STATED TO BE IMPORTANT! CAW CAW! DO YOU ACCEPT THE INVITATION?" Kamikiri squaked once more, Flapping her wings once in the radiant light and waiting for his response.

Gyomei lowered his brows, Seemingly taking in the words as the beads around his hands clacked together like heeled shoes on the floor. He wasn't summoned often, Especially not by another Hashira..

"..Yes. I will set off to The Butterfly Mansion as soon as I can.. Please tell Kocho-san I will be there by the next morning at the latest.." Gyomei spoke softly, Lowering down into a bow with his hands still pressed in prayer.

Kamikiri did the same, Mimicking the same bow a human would do but on her talons. Once she raised back up however, She squawked out a goodbye before she flapped her wings once more, Turned around and took off out the windowsill.

Gyomei raised from his bow too, Reaching back up to his full height. Shizuko watched as Kamikiri soared into the air, Wind was no obstacle to her as he watched her surge out onto the horizon. And once she was gone, He snapped his head back around to his master.

"..Shizuko, We will need to continue this conversation later.." Gyomei finalized as he resettled the heavy haori over his shoulders, Adjusted the shirt of his uniform and fixed his belt.

Shizuko knitted his brows, Stepping forward.

"Wait! Can't you just finish what you were about to say? About what you were going to tell me?" Shizuko gawked as Gyomei finished adjusting his clothing, Turning his head over to the younger boy. He sighed, Frown thickening.

"Later.. I promise you that I will answer you in due time, When I get my words in order.. But right now I must leave." Gyomei assured, Taking a few steps towards his apprentice and bowing down slightly towards him.

And when Shizuko looked in his uncoloured eyes, He knew he had fucked up.

Shizuko didn't react, Just looked up at him. The thundering of his heart started to slow, What storm inside starting to dwindle at the action his master took. Shizuko suddenly became aware of the past conversation, What disrespect he had shown.

He had let his emotions take over, His anger consuming him. He had yelled at his master, The one he had grew up with and the one he had trained under for who knows how long? Forget that forgotten memory, Just for a second, He needed to focus on the person he remembered.

Shizuko sniffled, The last of his tears drying.

"I.. I'm sorry, Himejima-sama." He spoke, Returning to his formal tone through his shaky voice. He lowered down into a bow, Just like his master did before. "I shouldn't of been so disrespectful to you, Please, Forgive me."

Gyomei sighed but eventually a small smile came to his face, Something now illuminated by the newly moved tapestries. He moved forward just a step towards him, The candlelight still burning bright in the back.

"You do not need to worry.. I understand." He spoke. "I will be heading out now.. But in the meantime, Please go and rest.. I know how hard you have been working lately, Do not overwork yourself.. It is poison to the body."

Shizuko looked up, Taking a moment to look upon his face before nodding.

"Yes, Himejima-sama.." He spoke, Almost as low as the wind drifting in from the window. Gyomei nodded towards him, Turning around before striding off towards the door, Hands still pressed together in prayer.

He said his goodbyes, Leaving Shizuko alone within the room. His only company was the cantata of the birds outside, The flicks of the flames on the votives and his own screaming head.

Shizuko turned to the open window, The tapestries still peeled back from the usually covered opening. He looked out into the gardens outside, The tree's swaying in the open wind.

Gyomei knew something, Something Shizuko had been longing for his entire life. But how could Shizuko have been so brash when asking about it? He had just let wrath come to him, Let it burn him.

It seemed like that had been happening more and more lately, Becoming bitter about the slightest thing and not the orderly soldier he was suppose to be. But he couldn't fret, Once Gyomei was back he could fix this.

Shizuko felt a throb in his chest, Gyomei actually knew something. The look on his face told him everything he needed to know. Well, Not everything, But he knew that Gyomei was hiding something from him.

And hopefully that answer would fix his irritability.

☆♡☆

"ACK-"

[F/N] tossed around in the air, Launched back by another one of his strikes. And just as all the training sessions before, Her body slammed against the wall of the far courtyard. As always she was defeated, Tumbling to the ground with her training sword flying out of her hand.

Hands gripped into the ground, Lifting her aching head only slighty just to sputter up more blood.

"As always.. Your footwork is lacking.." The voice of her captor called out from the otherside of the courtyard, [F/N] could almost feel the smugness showing through his stoic tone. It made her grit her teeth, Blood dripping down her busted lip.

She scoffed, Tasting the iron on her tongue.

"U-Understood, Kokushibo-sama.." [F/N] spat out, Ichor decorating the floor where she cursed him under her breath. Shaky hands pushed down, Levelling her up to her knees where she tried not to collapse once more.

Kokushibo stood under the great tree in the middle, His golden eyes piercing through the shadow to stare at her. He watched as she picked up her fallen sword, Dust off her dirty Samue and wipe the blood from her lips.

They narrowed in on her, Almost disappointed.

"Pick yourself up, Our session here today is done.." He simply stated, Sliding the flesh-forged blade of his sword into its sheathe. And without a word, [F/N] watched as he turned away.

And as soon as she blinked, He was gone.

[F/N] groaned, Hands going to grapple at her side. Akaza really didn't hold back there, Neither did Kokushibo as he mercilessly sliced at her. He didn't go easier on her despite her injuries.

[F/N] knew that she'd have a few more bruises to show for it, And she cursed Kokushibo out all the same.

She pushed herself to her feet, Stretching as she raised her arms into the air. [F/N] tried not to cringe once she felt that pain in her side, Almost like her ribcage was settling back into place.

It wasn't a pleasant feeling.

That bastard, [F/N] thought as she sauntered over to the tree. These sessions were completely pointless, Him telling her that it was "Training" which made absolutely no sense. She was a slayer, So called the strongest alive.

He knew this, He didn't care. [F/N]'s knees shook once she finally got under the tree's shadow, Too tired to even walk as she pressed her back against the stump. [F/N] slid down until she was nestled within the thick roots, Held high atop the little grassy hill.

[F/N] let out a sigh, She just wanted to sleep.

And she almost did, Eyelids fighting to stay vigilant. She had only woken up about an hour ago yet she still felt exhausted.

Haze started to set over her vision, Curtains closing as she felt her body grow limp.

"Hey."

[F/N] blinked.

"Oh.. It's you." [F/N] yawned, Rolling her shoulders as she propped herself up against the tree. A good few metres away from her stood Akaza in all his glory, Stature tall as his eyes narrowed in on her. Akaza rolled his eyes.

"Of course it's me, Who the hell did you expect it to be?" He scoffed as he took a few steps towards her, Something gripped tightly in-between his knuckles as he went.

[F/N] didn't respond, Only curling up into herself tigher. She seemed to bury herself into the roots of the tree, Not meeting his eyes. She didn't want to, Especially once she felt the heat of them burn into her figure.

Akaza's brows furrowed.

"Okay.. Fuck it- But are we gonna talk about what happened yesterday? I mean, Come on. Are we just gonna ignore your suicide attempt? Not talk about it at all?" Akaza took a few steps closer, Only making [F/N] curl up further.

[F/N] winced. Of course he was going to bring it up.

"I don't want to talk about it, I wasn't in the right mind back then. Just- Ignore everything we talked about. I was tired, I was bitter about being here.. I was just being stupid. Just forget it, Okay..?!" She hissed, A defensive snarl starting to appear on her lips.

Akaza just stepped closer towards her.

"But are you fine now?" He asked, Raising a brow at her. She stared at him, Only for a second. The shoulders [F/N] held up like a barricade started to lower, Leave it up to [F/N] to get defensive over a question, One that she knew was due to be asked.

She sighed.

"..Now, Yeah." [F/N] replied quietly, Still unable to meet his eyes. Akaza took a moment to look into her eyes, The ones that didn't look back at his. He almost didn't believe her, But unlike yesterday her fighting spirit wasn't roaring like it use to. No, It was completely dead now.

"..Right." Akaza said, Finally sauntering up the little hill and setting down the rectangular box he had been holding in his hands. Handle clattering into its normal position once he let go of it.

[F/N] blinked, Snapping her head over to look at the noise.

"Erm.. What's that?" She asked, Hesitantly eyeing it up and down like a ticking bomb.

"Food. If you want to get out of here and fool Upper One, You're doing it on a fighter's diet." Akaza replied as he kneeled down towards the wooden box, Starting to peel off the lid from the top.

[F/N] grimaced.

"I'm not hungry." She replied quickly as she watched Akaza open the box, Letting the aromatic smell of perfectly cooked fish and other delicacies inside flow out. [F/N] tried not to salivate at the scent of it, Not daring to look at it either. Slightly suprised that he had brought food for her.

Akaza shook his head.

"No, You're gonna eat it." He stated, Almost as if she had digested it already. "It's got everything you'll need to scale the Infinity Castle, This is the standard that your weight-class and gender should get."

[F/N] bit her lip.

"Yeah well.. I've just not been that hungry lately. Thank you but.. You can have it." She replied, Shaking her head as she smelt the scent of fish come from it. Seeing the enticing shimmer of the fish scales inside, She tried not to give in.

And fuck.. She was starving.

"I can't eat human food, Idiot. Besides, I can basically see you drooling there." Akaza scoffed as he watched her take peeks at the food "You look starving. Are you seriously gonna waste food?"

[F/N] quirked a lip, Already regretting telling him about her childhood. Dirty tricks, But there weren't much else he could play. Swallowing down the excess of her saliva, She finally turned her head to look at him.

"I hate you for this, You know that? Right?" [F/N] hissed as she reached a hand down towards the box, Bare hands starting to grab fistfuls of rice and fish-meat cutlets from within the neatly packed bowls.

"There's cutlery there.. Oh." Akaza trailed off once he saw her shove handfuls of rice and meat into her mouth, Bare-handed and she didn't care that she looked like a rabid beast choking down meat into their maw.

It matched the rest of her appearance. Her ragged hair, Her dirtied skin and clothes. Even her eyes had a wild look in them as she scarfed down her meal and wipe the excess off her samue's sides, Eyebags protruding them from her face.

Akaza almost gagged if not for remembering how he did the same thing, Only with human meat of course.

"So.. " Akaza started, Continuing to watch her scoop handfuls of mixed food and shove them into her mouth. "About that thing with Upper One.."

[F/N] choked down another chunk of rice, Wiping her mouth on her sleeve before looking up at him.

"What thing?" She asked.

"..You know? The idea that I suggested and the one you agreed to? To get closer to Upper One?" Akaza raised his brows, Watching as [F/N] narrowed her eyes before shoving another fistful into her mouth.

"Oh- Yeah, That thing.." [F/N] said through her chewing, Almost deflating once he reminded her. She had been hoping to avoid it but..

"So? How's that coming along?" Akaza asked, Folding his arms as he watched her scarf down her meal. [F/N] shook her head, Lowering her gaze away from him as she swallowed down her food.

Fuck.. She loathed how disgustingly delicious it tasted.

"..Come on, How exactly am I suppose to get along with him? He's an unfeeling prick.. I doubt he even has any emotions I could appeal to.." [F/N] groaned, Shaking her head at the mere prospect of him having feelings.

"You said he's fucking obsessed with you, So appeal to that?" Akaza exasperated, Shrugging his shoulders.

[F/N] rolled her eyes.

"Oh, Yeah, Right.. Let me just start acting nice and loving to him all of a sudden, I'll just start pretending that I actually like him. I'm sure he won't notice somethings up at all!" [F/N] sneered, A malicious smile spreading across her face which she proudly displayed to Akaza.

He sneered back, Shaking his head at her behaviour.

"Oh come on! How about you shut it and actually try make some leeway here, Eh? I'm not saying you should start liking it immediately, I'm saying that you try and work away at it." Akaza snapped, Stepping closer to her until he finally got to her side.

[F/N] stared up at him, His eyes made all the more prominant as they shone through the tree's shadows, Glaring back at her. [F/N] dropped her malicious smile in favour of a frown, Finally turning away from him.

"..Whatever, I'll figure it out." [F/N] finally spat, Wiping away the last of the foods residue from her mouth. Rice bits shook off her hands as she finally deflated back against the tree, [F/N] didn't have the patience to argue.

Akaza in turn, Lowered his snarl once he saw her start to shrink in on herself.

He felt a sort of pull in his chest, One that he instantly shrugged off in favour of kneeling down and sitting back down beside her with a grunt.

[F/N] watched as he pushed his half-naked back up against the trunk, Bare feet entwined with the overgrown grass. He didn't look at her, Just stared off somewhere far-off and pulled his knees near his chest.

She gazed at his features for a second. His gaunt skin to contrast with the deep navy stripes running across it, The way his pinkish hair drifted in the air. [F/N]'s nose twitched, He had no right to be demanding.

But whatever.

[F/N] turned back to stare in her own designated place, Nowhere in particular, But somewhere she could just relax back against the tree and take in the air. The air that was fresh, The air that brought her back to her senses.

The only warm place in this entire place, The heart of the shrine. Despite the coldness surrounding it, It flourished anyways. Despite the harsh environment it endured, It was still thriving. [F/N] breathed in the air.

It was nice.

"..You still haven't finished your food."

"Fuck you."

☆♡☆

The skies were orange, A pungent shade of burgundy into citron set over the small township.

The wind was crisp, Cool to anyone caught in it. Birds warbling an aubade could be heard in the trees, Crickets joining in for the chorus in the new morn. People were out in the streets, Walking by and happily conversing with one and other as they went.

Gyomei walked brisk, Short hair dancing with his haori waving within the wind. The Butterfly mansion was large, The biggest property in town so it gave him plenty room to just stride throughout the place unbothered.

But a walk wasn't what he was here for, No, Instead it was the Insect Hashira who seemed to be nowhere about. Despite asking around, Mostly from that Kanzaki woman and the three little girls that followed her, They had no idea where Shinobu was either.

So here he was, Wandering throughout the lavish gardens of the mansion. Striding past crops of fresh veg and tree's filled with fruit and fauna. The air was something Gyomei could appreciate, Something he almost stopped to enjoy within the daybreak.

He breathed out.

"..Himejima-san!"

A voice called out from somewhere above, Somewhere that Gyomei tilted his head up towards. On top of the tiled roof of The Butterfly Mansion, Sat Shinobu perched upon the edge.

She smiled down at him, Soft and delicate. Glossy eyes honing in on him.

"Kocho-san..!" Gyomei called out to her, Soft as a yell could be as he pressed his hands in prayer. "You summoned me here for something important.. Not explained by your crow.. Please, Do you mind telling me the reason I have came today..?"

Shinobu hummed. Luckily for her, The part of the roof she was perched on was rather low. Somewhere she could easily make her way down from, Which is exactly what she did as she nudged herself off.

Shinobu almost drifted, Butterfly haori glistening in the orange light as her feet hit the ground with a barely audible thud.

But Gyomei's hearing was impeccable, Now fully turned to the direction of where she had landed. Listening to the soft patter of her footsteps as she made her way over to him.

"Yes, Yes.. I must apologise for the lack of information as I sent my crow out rather hastily, I'm sorry for acting so rash.. It's not like me to do so~!" Shinobu sang as she came closer to him, Pausing in front of the man before bowing herself down lowly in respect.

Gyomei, Sensing the action. Reciprocated as he lowered himself in response.

Shinobu rose.

"The reason I asked you to come here today is because I got a rather interesting tip-off from my crow!" Shinobu announced, Hand raising before going under her haori.

"You see, I had sent out my crow a few days ago to a village in Fukushima. He was tasked with purchasing some specific herbs that I needed from that region, But unfortunately things didn't go exactly as expected.."

Gyomei lowered his brows, The beads around his hands starting to chatter.

"Yes..? And what exactly happened..?"

Shinobu's smile widened, Yet her eyes darkened all the same.

"My crow was intercepted by a man in the village when he had went to pick up the herbs- He had fastened a rather interesting letter around her neck, One that I think that would interest you.." She drawled out as she watched his expression change.

Gyomei, A man of not many expressions simply stiffened his figure. A man had targeted a Kasugai crow? Of course, Demons were known to try and attack crows during the night. But a man? A human man? And of all things had wrapped a letter around it's neck and sent it on it's way.

Shinobu's expression was bright, Just as scorching as the sun that silhouetted her. Smile stretched on her face, Yet her eyes contained such thanatoid dullness. Something dark brewing within.

Something that even Gyomei could feel, An unease going through him.

Shinobu fished out the letter from within her haori pockets, Hair dancing in the faint wind as she unscrolled the spotless fibre from it's shape. Though she didn't mean to read it aloud, No.

She just needed to check, Just that she was reading it right, Just for the thousandth time.

"..There is a possible sighting of Uppermoon two, Apparently associated with some sort of cult near the village." Shinobu announced as she scanned her eyes across those two dooming words, The ones that she smiled so scaldingly bright at.

Gyomei's eyes widened, The clanking of beads stopping.

"This is.. You mean to say that there was another Uppermoon sighting..? Of number two, Of all moons..!" First it was Upper Six, Defeated in The Red Light District. Next, It was the attack of Uppermoon Four and Five on the swordsmith village.

Just like that.. In over a century several had been slaughtered from their ranks. Now, It was Upper Two?

"Of course." Shinobu nodded as she gently patted the letter back within her haori pocket. Gyomei sensed there was something she was not telling him, Something that she was keeping away. It made him suspicious, Incredibly so.

Gyomei had a frown on his face, Deeper than it ever was.

"Kocho-san.. I'd advise you to go to Oyataka-sama before me.. I am not the messenger you want since you happen to have all the information.. We need to plan something out before we act..!" Gyomei urged, Cogs already starting to turn.

Shinobu hummed.

"..Of course, I will go to him but not right now. Not before I do some scouting of my own, You must understand!" She laughed airily until it trailed off into the wind, Blowing past her before it died down entirely.

Gyomei paused.

"I.. Then why me..? Why did you ask me specifically to come here if you don't want to tell anything to the corps..? Something I deeply advise against.." Gyomei warned once more.

But Shinobu didn't respond, Just acknowledged it with a single warble of her throat before clearing it.

"Oh, Don't worry about it~! I'll explain to you in a moment.."

She smiled, Even wider.

"There is still one left to arrive.."

☆♡☆

[F/N] laid, Still pressed up against the trunk of the tree, Listening to the sounds of air travelling through the shrine.

Akaza sat next to her, The box too now empty of the food it once held. Carefully packaged food, Bowls of rice, Canteens of soup and cutlets of many meats all ravaged and scarfed down.

[F/N] admitted that it was good. Disgusting, But good. Hard to swallow yet settled in her stomach fine.

She breathed in the air, Fresh and poignant as it filled her lungs with life. The aching of her bones from training earlier still had a lingering pain, Throbbing and bruised.

It almost spoiled her mood, Especially since she now felt something akin to normalcy once lazing on a mockery of hillside and it's lumber. She tried not to think about it.

Kokushibo and his little training sessions with her, What a monster he was. What reason did he have to do this all with her? With someone he already admitted was the best he had ever fought in centuries, You'd think she'd not need to partake.

He liked torturing her, That's what [F/N] came to. Some sadistic joy inside his dead little heart liked to watch her bleed, To bruise and blister. Always lingering around to watch her, Almost going over to get a better look.

[F/N] scoffed under her breath. He had even tried to gift her that hairpin, The one she still wore in her hair at this very moment, All to get her to stay compliant.

How could she? When every time they'd pass in the halls he'd keep his eyes on her, Expecting her to be what he thought she should. Keep her locked up here- All while beating her down daily.

There was no reason to it!

The warm air felt nice on her skin, Eyes almost drifting away into another dream. Akaza himself had long done so, His eyes closed and his breath steady.

[F/N]'s eyes widened.

A sudden hitch in her breath came, A neuron connecting within her brain.

Oh, That was the reason.

It was because he had no idea how else he could spend time with her.

#yandere #yandere x reader #tw yandere #yandere x you #moodboard #demon slayer #kny #demon slayer kimetsu no yaiba #kimetsu no yaiba #kokushibo x you #kokushibo #kokushibo x reader #yandere kokushibo #yandere kokushibo x reader #demon slayer fanfic #demon slayer x child reader #Kokushibo #kimestu no yaiba #kny x reader #demon slayer x reader #yandere platonic kokushibo #yandere platonic #upper moons #kokushibo x y/n #kokushibo headcanons #demon slayer shinobu #kny x you #michikatsu tsugikuni #michikatsu x reader #kny michikatsu

[trancylovecraft]

(KNY) YANDERE PLATONIC! KOKUSHIBO x SISTER READER: You, Shibou. I, Kokoro (CHAPTER FOURTEEN)

Previous Chapter ☆♡☆ Masterlist ☆♡☆ Next Chapter

AO3 link

CHAPTER FOURTEEN: "..So much more than a rat."

A martyr is defined as a person who voluntarily suffers death as the penalty of witnessing to and refusing to renounce a religion. Though in more recent times it has been used to define a person willing to give up their life for a cause not needing to be fuelled by religion or politics.

The man throughout the night, Feet thundering against the cold stone.

His breath was ragged as he sprinted across the empty streets, Cold air singing as a juxtaposition to his burning lungs. The warm blood trickled down his forehead, His eyes wide and wild as he searched for sanctuary.

Faster and faster he went, Tall houses rushing past him in a flash. His head kept jerking back behind him, Terrified of something following him. Something seeking, Something hidden deep within the depths of the night. Something keeping close behind.

He didn't know what happened, One minute he had gotten back from work and the next he was running away. A thick slash mark across his forehead, Oozing out iron ichor from the deep cut.

Like a rabbit running away from the fox, He scampered away.

He felt like it got closer and closer. Almost hearing the faint drumming of footsteps gaining on him, Echoing throughout the night. Hitting like hail against the ground, Making a bitter chill run down his spine.

Who was it? Who was chasing him. Was there someone chasing him? Is he being paranoid?

His sweat dropped, He yelped out in fear.

"Help-! Help me! HELP, ANYONE-!" He cried through the raw dryness of his throat. Tears started to swell at this point. The patter of footsteps grew and grew, So loud like thunder strikes.

They were approaching, They were going to get him-!

"PLEASE- ANYONE!" He screamed. Hollering throughout the night and bouncing off the village walls. It was so blaring, So loud yet there was no one who came to help. There was no one who was going to save him.

He was going to die- HE WAS GOING TO DI-

A sword ran through his neck. Struck like lightning and flowing like a river as it went through his skin and muscle with no effort.

His screaming was cut short by his head hitting the rocky street. A burst of blood erupting from his severed neck.

It bounced once, Then twice then swivelled into place.

A permanent petrified expression laid upon the mans face, Eyes wide and bulging with his mouth eternally open to catch flies. His body wobbled, Thin legs shaking before falling down onto it's knees, Then it's chest.

The footsteps following him finally stopped as well, If only for a moment. The silence rang throughout the street as the blood pooled around the carnage. All before the tiny pair of footsteps turned into a walk, Stalking over to the corpse.

[F/N] looked down at the body, Pausing just where the puddle of red stopped gathering, Careful not to stain her sandals.

The blade clenched in her hand was drenched in blood, Ichor dripping off the tip and onto the rocky pavement below. The imperfect hilt and the makeshift construct of the blade made it all the more strange for such a child to be wielding it.

She looked at the man with no pity nor disgust. There wasn't any anger or drive behind her strike, Just apathy as she stared down at the bloody mess she had made. Her grip on the hilt of her sword grew tighter.

She crouched down, Knees turning as she got closer to the severed head of the decapitated man. Nudging the body out the way with her free hand she finally reached down to the head, Arm extended towards it.

Her hand grasped a firm clutch of his matted hair, Already entangled with blood as her fingers got a good hold on his locks. She pulled it up, The head following her hand as she held it dangling from her fingertips.

She walked. The severed cut of it's neck dripped a thick trail of blood to follow her footsteps, Hand already covered in the pungent liquid that splattered her fingers.

The head swayed from her hands as she walked away. She could of only been about eight or maybe nine yet the way she carried herself was so old and practiced, She could of been mistaken as a woman from a distance.

She didn't look back, Moon raised high within the cold night. She walked towards it, The headless corpse left alone in the street to squeeze out all of its remaining liquids onto the floor.

And soon enough she was gone just as soon as she came. No trace of her ever being here except for a thick trail of blood dragging out of the village and into the depths of the woods.

☆♡☆

"It's just.. It's been tough with my father being ill, You know?" The smell of sizzling meat and the punching kick of spices hit the noses of the passers-by, The enticing aroma being like a siren's song to anyone who would dare enter the proximity of their lulling call from the market.

The sun was raised high in the sky, A morning blessed with the cool heat of the summer sun and the chilling breeze to chase it. It was beautiful and the villagers were aware, All out and about to enjoy the weather and do errands to match.

The market sat under the suns rays, Stalls lined with both food and material products. Meat grilled right at the table, Vivid bursts of tapestries hanging for all to view and contemplate buying.

It was a wonderous place filled with crowds in the dozens. Chatter was live and roaring throughout the street, Sounds of bargaining and laughter were common and all around. It was scenic as it travelled through the village.

[F/N] stood by one of the stalls, Just tall enough to peek over the edge. It was a stall with colourful pouches of spices laying about, Hanging rabbits and cattle meat from the hooks on the wooden structure above.

Her skeletal figure stood awkwardly, Her bony fingers twiddling themselves as she shied her eyes away from the merchant in front of her. She looked downtrodden, Turtling into the oversized scarf wrapped around her neck.

"I.. I'm sorry that I can't pay, Nevermind, I'll stop bothering you.. Apologies!" [F/N] called out rather forlornly as she turned around slowly, Starting to walk a few steps in the opposite direction with lowered head.

The merchants smile turned into a frown, Watching the frail girl trod off down into the busy streets.

"Hold on!"

[F/N] stopped in her tracks as soon as she heard the merchant's voice call out her name. Her head turned over lightly, Eyes peeking out from the tattered blue of her scarf to look at him from afar.

The merchant sighed, A look of pity plastered upon his face as his hands reached up to the fresh meat hanging above him. Picking a cream-fleeced rabbit off one of the hooks he walked out from behind the stall towards her.

"Here you go, Okay? I hope your father gets well soon, Send him my regards, Kid." He said with a small smile as he presented the little rabbit to her, Gesturing for her to take it.

[F/N]'s eyes widened, The sparkle in her eyes starting to bloom as the sun reflected off the hues of her irises. Her bony fingers reached out towards the rabbit, Wrapping around the hide of it's neck before bringing it into her arms.

"Thank you, Sir! You don't know how much this means to me and my father!" [F/N] said, Her hollowed out cheeks parting to give him the sweetest smile possible on her face. The merchant nodded, Hand reaching out to pat her shoulder before turning around to go back to his stall.

[F/N] watched him go for a second, The rabbit in her hands held close. It was such a pristine and fresh piece of meat, It's coat was the colour of beige and it's big ears were flopped down to it's side. The clean cut on it's neck being the culprit.

She turned away, Clutching it close as she began weaving her way through streets of people. Her small body slipping through the cracks without a single trace, Finally leaving the area entirely.

As soon as it did, Her smile changed into something more triumphant.

The merchant had fallen for her lie, Just like all the ones before him. The old trusty one about her father or how she had no money. The latter wasn't much of a lie but it was overexaggerated and it worked every time.

She shoved what little coins she had within her haori pockets, The dragon patterned blue being newly acquired from a pretty white fox she had found while travelling through the woods.

It had the fabric in it's mouth. Being curious she had wrestled it out of the beasts maw and had found it to be a haori of cerulean blue, Liking the design of it she had decided to keep it and wear it now.

The coins shoved into the inner pockets were sparse and everything she had. She chided what little wages she got from her job, Exploiting the young and desperate to fatten their own pockets.

She sighed however, There wasn't much she could do or no one she could argue against as she travelled down the bustling streets. Of which people seemed to grow thinner and thinner as she went along until there was barely anyone there.

This village was poor, [F/N] could tell. From the crime running rampant in the night to the poor architecture of the houses, It was obvious. The merchant would be no different, From what she could deduce was that he was a poor man struggling to make money for his family.

She tried not to think about taking advantage of his good graces, Pushing it to the back of her mind.

[F/N]'s stomach growled, Making her free hand lunge down to her midsection and hold it in effort to soothe the ravenous feeling inside of her.

Either way it didn't matter what wages she earned or how she had lied to the merchant back in the market. She would be out of this village soon enough, She had a job to do after all and she had no time to mull over her situation.

"GET AWAY!"

A voice yelled out from in front of her, Making [F/N] snap her head up at the familiar voice.

A good few metres away from her was a group of boys, Younger than her but a bit older than the young child they surrounded. [F/N]'s eyes widened, The embers in her eyes bursting out into an angry flame once she realised what was happening.

"HEY!" [F/N] yelled out as her legs picked up, The rabbit in her hand tightened as her free hand clenched into a fist. Running over to the crowd of boys she saw they were kicking and tugging at the hair of the child they surrounded.

The leader of the group barely had any time to react as [F/N]'s fist connected with his face, Slamming into the side of his cheek.

The boy shouted in a yelp as his body hit the hard dirt of the ground with a thud, Blood erupting from his mouth. The other boys around him stopping the assault of the child to assess the situation with fearful eyes as they met the imposing figure of [F/N].

"The fuck do you think you're doing! Get the hell away from him you bastards!" [F/N] yelled at them. A grovel in her voice as the surrounding boys rushed to their leaders aid, Of which had already snapped out of his daze to look up at her.

"T-The hell are you?! We ain't bothering you at all-" The boy spat but was cut off once he came face to face with the enraged visage of [F/N]. Veins popping out the side of her forehead, Eyes containing a fire that spoke more than words ever could as his jaw snapped shut.

The boys beside him threw looks towards [F/N], Almost ready to pounce before their leader spoke.

"..C-Come on, Let's just get outta here." He mumbled yet spoke with such ire. The boys picked him up by the shoulders and helped him onto his feet, He threw one more cautious look towards [F/N] before he signalled his group to leave the area.

[F/N] watched them scamper out of the area, Spouting curses and cusses as they ran away down the street. [F/N]'s raised guard didn't dare to drop until they were finally gone, Leaving only her and the young boy in the village street.

Her head looked over to the boy, Her eyes softening as she laid upon him.

"Shizuko..! Hell.. Are you alright?" [F/N] asked as she crouched down beside him, Laying the rabbit beside her. Shizuko, Her younger brother. He was lain out on the ground, His fluffy hair was a mess with dirt coursing through his curls from the beating.

The green yukata and haori he wore was messed up with the grounds soil, Dirtied with splotches. It was unfortunate, It was newly thieved and of high quality. [F/N] doubted she'd find anywhere to wash or steal a new one anytime soon.

[F/N] reached over to him. Shizuko looked up at her with relieved eyes as she wiped the trickling blood off of his forehead. He hummed, Scratching at the wool of his gloves as he looked away from her.

"I.. I'm fine, Onee-san. Just a bit dizzy." He mumbled as he continued to scratch at his hands. He didn't dare look back up at [F/N], Not wanting to see the reaction she wore on her sleeve. Or more accurately- Her face.

[F/N] sighed as she used the sleeve of her kimono to dry the blood.

"What happened? Why were they picking on you.. I swear, If this isn't the first time.." [F/N] hissed as she scanned over his young self. He was only around four or maybe five, It was hard to keep track of time yet he was too young to hold the dirty bruises scattering his legs. Shizuko's scratching got more intense as he shrugged.

"Dunno.. I saw them playing and I wanted to join them.. But when I went to they made fun of my gloves and called me names.. So I called them one back and they just started kicking me.." Shizuko admitted as he showed [F/N] his hands.

[F/N] hand which was holding his cheek grew much more firm, Angrier. Her nose upturned into a snarl and her teeth bared at the mere imagining of what happened, All backed up by the bruises on his skin and the dressing of blood dripping down it.

"Those little- I should of given them more than just a punch.." [F/N] muttered as her hands ran down his body, Checking for any more injury on his little body with care and skill.

"..I'm sorry.. I don't wanna make you mad, Onee-san.." Shizuko said as he looked up at [F/N] with his dark eyes. They were reluctant, That was what [F/N] could tell as she stared back into them with a light gaze.

[F/N] sighed, Her hands raising to meet his own. She squeezed them once, A reassuring gesture.

"No, I'm not mad Shizuko. Not at you. You need to tell me these things, I'll take care of it. You know you can rely on me, Right?" [F/N] smiled as she stared into his eyes, Warm and inviting.

Shizuko smiled back, Though rather lopsidedly.

"Yeah, Nee-chan. I know.." He nodded. [F/N] nodded back at him before her hand hooked under his armpits. And with a small comment of "One, Two, Three!" Shizuko was brought up to his feet.

[F/N], Still kneeled down, Brushed off his emerald yukata with her hands. Making sure everything was in place before she got up herself.

"Now come on, You hungry? Cause look what I got!" [F/N] said triumphantly as she picked up the rabbit to display to her younger brother. Holding it high like a treasured prize. Shizuko's eyes widened, Sparkling in the warm sunlight.

"Woah! You got a rabbit? Does that mean we can have actual meat tonight?!" Shizuko squealed as he jumped up and down excitedly. His smile ear to ear, Brighter than the sun in the sky as he exclaimed it. [F/N] nodded.

"Correct! If I'm right there's some spices back at that old house, So we'll be eating good tonight." [F/N] exclaimed happily. It wasn't something usual kids were excited about, Rabbit wasn't a luxury nor was it a rarity for them to have.

But for them it was a good day. Any day where they ate meat instead of left-over vegetables was a good day.

"You won't burn it this time.. Will you, Onee-chan?" Shizuko questioned, Tilting his head to look up at her with slight caution.

[F/N] rolled her eyes.

"That was one time, I won't do it again!" She said adamantly. Lowering the rabbit to her side in favour of placing her hands on her hips. Shizuko giggled as he watched her reaction, His gloved hand raising to tug at the one on her hips.

"Come on! I want rabbit- I'm hungry! I'm hungry!" Shizuko pleaded as his little hand tugged at the arm of his older sister. [F/N] rolled her eyes but the smile on her face couldn't dim as she let Shizuko hold her.

She was happy that his spirits were raised from the low of the beating. As they started walking, [F/N] started to remember how this wasn't the first time this had happened to him and it put a damper on her mood.

Each town or village they had went through, From the valleys to the mountains the same things were to be expected. Newcomers were looked at with suspicion, Especially at two young kids with Shizuko was an easy target for the boys. He was small and wasn't able to fight back against the older boys, Especially targeted since it was obvious he didn't have any parent to snitch to. Which is why [F/N] took up the mantle of caretaker.

It didn't help that the constant scratching of his hands made him seem odd to any passer-by's. It made [F/N] angry, He couldn't control how his hands processed touch and how he chose to show it.

She wished people would have more empathy sometimes, Though by now she had become use to the opposite of it. Still, She had some hope. Not for her but for her younger brother at least, He didn't deserve it.

Her hand squeezed Shizuko's, His fingers curling around her palm to share body heat. A comfort between two siblings and the only touch the younger could ever stand, His hand grasping tighter at his sister's.

What a fool that man was. The concept of a late bloomer was never a thing to him, Just taking the child by the heel to dangle them over the river and not hesitating to let it run red. In truth, Shizuko wasn't defective as he said.

He never was, Never would be in her eyes no matter if he had the hands or not. But he did, He had the hands. He had failed the test, Yes, But he had been a late bloomer. His ability becoming more and more prevalent as he grew.

More and more until it had became way more than what that man's abilities could wield, So much so that he could identify the exact make of a fabric or the location it was made in. He could identify a fake from an authentic. In other words, It was divine.

But it was too powerful, Growing painful as he got older. He had gotten a disgust for the feeling of any object he touched, Feeling near sick once it connected with his fingertips.

[F/N] had trouble keeping up, The only solution she could think of was a pair of finely woven woollen gloves of the highest quality. The softest, A mild solution as it barely helped his discomfort.

But even so he held onto [F/N]'s hand, Her touch warm and being the only one ever to make him feel at ease.

As they walked along the street, [F/N] smiled. They weren't well off nor was there ever a day they had time to just sit back and relax. But they had each other, And that was enough for them.

But a thought lingered in her mind, One that never left her for a second. Even when she smiled it was still in the back of her mind, Eating way like a brain disease, Every second of the day that thought stayed with her.

If Shizuko was a late bloomer, Then what about all the others?

☆♡☆

"..You actually didn't burn it this time."

The moon was placed in the low sky, Signalling the early night.

The mix of luminescent blues and the darkest of ultramarines painted the heavens above, A beautiful mural speckled by the sparks of faraway inferno's. Lighting up the night and the village streets below with soft moonlight.

The luminous light took no heed in flowing through the partly stained window, The orchid blue igniting the floorboards below and the ombre shades of the abandoned bedroom. It glowed on the ledges of the dusty furniture, Outlining the bold shapes in the dark.

[F/N] sat on the bed. The alluring smell of slightly-overcooked rabbit invaded the room, Luckily overpowering the rotting stench of the decaying old woman in the other. Died from old age, Not by her hand.

This house was only a temporary hideout, Only a place to pass through and rest up before they moved onto the next. The old woman passing of natural causes was a blessing in disguise as it gave them time to reside here before her neighbours got suspicious.

"Well, You didn't burn it as much as last time." Shizuko teased lightly, Giggling as he bit into his rabbit.

He sat beside [F/N], Comfortably placed upon the mattress with his legs folded in a basket. His gloved hand clutched on a cooked leg, Only singed slightly at the sides. The smell of the spices and herbs drifted in the air, A running rosemary and pungent paprika.

[F/N] tossed her head to the side, Smiling as she held a small arm. A much smaller portion compared to her younger brother as her bony fingers wrapped around the forearm.

"Shush! You're lucky I was able to get the grill in here working, Just eat your rabbit in peace. Okay?" [F/N] bit back as she started to nibble on the rabbit's paw, Barely chewing off any of the skinned meat from the bone.

For a good few minutes they sat in silence. The dust particles floating about the room only illuminated by the glossy radiance. They took it in, Both chowing down on their meal, The rabbits ravaged skeleton sitting only a few feet away on a bedside.

Though it was interrupted when Shizuko slowly stopped chewing the meat from his half-eaten leg, Eyes focusing down onto the exposed bone in thought before glancing up towards [F/N].

"Onee-san..?" He mumbled, A stark contrast to his chipper tone turned sour.

[F/N] blinked, Looking down at him.

"Yes? What do you need?" [F/N] asked.

Shizuko didn't answer for a moment, Taking a look back down at his rabbit as he seemed to ponder his words. His frown deepened, Looking back up at her.

"Why do we never have rabbit often like the other kids?" Shizuko asked, Staring into her eyes with his own charcoal hues. He looked conflicted, Confused even. [F/N] swallowed down a chunk of meat as she looked at him.

"..What do you mean?" [F/N] asked slowly.

Shizuko hummed, Frown sharpening.

"Everywhere we go it seems like the other kids always have some kind of fancy meal like udon or ramen while we only have it sometimes.. We always have boiled vegetables or berries.. Why can't we have fancy food like the other kids too?" Shizuko asked, Tilting his head.

[F/N] didn't speak, Her mouth locked firmly shut.

The rabbits arm lowered in her hands, Dropping to her thinning thighs as she turned to stare towards the moonlight's grace. Her eyes searched within the room's darkness, Sentences fizzling out on her tongue as she desperately tried to grab at the proper words to say.

She didn't even want to say, She didn't even want the question to be prompted in the first place. Telling him would be wrong, Telling him wouldn't do him any good nor would it do her any good.

But she knew it would come along eventually, So she spoke.

"Well.. We don't have ramen or udon because.. It's not too good for your health." [F/N] finalised. Looking down at Shizuko as he took in her words, Silently praying to whatever god up there that he would buy it.

Shizuko only stared back up at her, Eyes narrowing in on her face.

"Why? All the other kids have it every other day..?" He asked. [F/N] bit her tongue, She guessed the curious mind of a child really was unmatched. She gripped the ledge of the bed as she spoke.

"It's because you're special, You know, 'Cause of your hands." [F/N] lied through her teeth as one of her hands snaked over to his, Wrapping around his palm in a comforting manner as she spoke.

"My hands affect food..?" Shizuko asked, Confused.

"Yeah.. If you ate too much of the fancy food then your hands would loose all their power, That's why we can only have it every so often." [F/N] explained. It wasn't the best explanation, Nor was it thought out, But it was the best she could think of as she spoke.

Shizuko looked away from her, Turning back down to the rabbit leg he had in his hands. The gloves clutching onto the rabbits wrist moved a little, His eyes honing in on them.

"Are you okay, Shizuko?" [F/N] asked, Suddenly feeling concern from his actions.

Shizuko raised the rabbit leg, Only nibbling off a chunk from the thigh. Chewing slowly, He scoffed.

"It's just.. Why are we so different from everyone else? The other kids don't move houses every week.. They always have new clothes but not us and they have parents that look after them! Where's our parents, Nee-chan?!" Shizuko exclaimed, Hands slamming down onto the bed.

[F/N] was taken aback, Her eyes widening for a moment. Shizuko seemed angry, In a split second he had seemed to let out whatever was building up inside of him. [F/N] swallowed, Trying to think.

Lying to him, That was something she never wanted to do yet had done it more times than she could count anyways. Not to mention the merchants and the sellers, It always left a sour taste in her mouth when she did.

But was lying to him as bad as telling him the truth? To what lengths was a lie morally wrong and what ways did a truth truly hurt? She didn't know, She really didn't know.

But her heart followed her mouth, Tongue guiding her way.

"Shizuko.. " [F/N] said softly, Getting down from her perch on the bedside to kneel in front of him. Her hands still ran to grasp his as he seethed slightly from his outburst, He looked into her eyes, The moonlight's radiance reflecting off of them.

The warmth of her hand cradled his, Soothing him for a second.

"The reason we don't have parents is because.." [F/N] swallowed back her hesitation. "..They died years ago, Leaving us alone."

"W-What?! How? How did they die, Nee-chan?!" Shizuko exclaimed, Eyes going wide.

Sweat ran down his brow, His jaw going agape at the revelation. The hand wrapped around his squeezed slightly, Though she wasn't sure if it was for her comfort or his this time as she tried her best to steady her shaking jaw.

"Bad people killed them when I was just a kid and you were still swaddled in cloth.. I was barely able to get you out of there before they got to us too, I had to carry you through storms, You know." [F/N] said finally as she looked up at him.

Shizuko didn't speak, Just stared blankly with a shaky frown. The rabbit leg had been long dismissed to the side, The luminosity shining across their faces and the serene surroundings was a silent soliloquy in that one frozen moment.

Shizuko swayed his feet slightly, A sombre expression washing over him.

"You won't die too, Right..? You won't leave me will you, Onee-san..?" He asked, The first tinge of insecurity shone through his voice. It made her frown deepen in the lines, The worry seeping into his voice was repugnant to her.

Her hands parted from his for only a second.

"Shizuko.. I will never leave you. You will never have to be alone, Okay? I'll be here to take care of you, I'll make sure that you never need to worry about things like clothes or food.." [F/N] hummed so low within the bask of the moonlight, Her voice just as soft.

Shizuko looked back at her, Their eyes connecting in an understanding not uncommon for the siblings. The way both of their eyes shined, The way both of their expressions turned into something more warm and familial as each second passed by.

It was comfortable.

"..You promise?" Shizuko smiled, His voice nothing but the pass of the wind. [F/N] smiled back as her hand reached out, Her hand reaching out and her pinky entwining with Shizuko's.

And suddenly, The room didn't seem as cold anymore.

"I promise you that I will never leave you.. Death would need to pry us apart for that ever to be the case.." [F/N] confirmed, Her pinky squeezing around his in such a comforting manner.

"..Were they nice? Our parent's..?" He asked. His voice so quiet yet in the quiet of the room seemed so loud.

[F/N] smiled once more, A familiar love growing between the two despite the sour taste pooling in her mouth. She nodded her head slowly, Though the splash of red appeared in her peripherals.

"Very. Now finish your rabbit and get under the covers, It's well past your bedtime." [F/N] said finally, Getting up from her knee to stand in front of him. Shizuko smiled brightly, Snatching the rabbit leg and hastily chowing down the meat before shuffling back on the bed.

[F/N] helped him take off his haori. They had no nightwear so they slept in their yukata's. Raising the covers, Shizuko buried his legs under them. The old woman's bed providing warmth as she blanketed him with the thick duvets.

Shizuko laid his head against the pillow, Still smiling as he got comfortable.

"Night, Shizuko.." [F/N] said, Turning and trailing away from the bedside into the ombre casting in the room. The luminescence leaving her, Yet Shizuko's eyeline never straying as he raised a brow.

"Huh? Where are you going this time, Onee-san?" He mumbled, Nuzzling into the soft bristles of the feathered pillow. Ebony eyes as dark as the shadows staring into her with concern.

[F/N] smiled once more, Turning back to him.

"..I'm going to go fight the bad people, Okay? If anyone comes knocking, You know what to do." [F/N] comforted.

Shizuko smiled.

"Leave through the window and hide in the spot you told me to..?" Shizuko giggled as he pulled the sheets over him just a little more. [F/N] nodded, Turning back into the darkness.

"Exactly. Sweet dreams, Okay?"

That was the last thing she said before she walked further into the dark, Her pencil thin figure getting more and more fuzzy the more she traversed in. As she reached the wall she leaned down, Hand connecting with the faulty hilt of a sword hidden within the black.

She picked it up, Careful not to make any noise as she opened the door. Slipping through the crack with the blade following close behind.

Taking one more look at her little brother, She sighed.

She had to do this.

Then the door clicked shut.

☆♡☆

The moon still held high within the vastness of the atmosphere.

It was cold outside, A chill running down the spine of any bare skin that dared to be exposed within its domain. Not that there was anyone out at this time of night, Even if they tried they'd be deterred by the horrid weather.

But not [F/N]. The light taps of her footsteps lead her down the abandoned stone pathway, Devoid of the usual day-life within the village. Market's empty, No more adults standing about for idle chat or conversation. Just the whisper of what spoke drifting in the cold wind.

The grip on her sword tightened, Her hands shaking didn't bother her as her face was just as freezing as the weather surrounding her. It was such a large blade to be cradled within the small hands of such a young girl, Almost comical in her grasp.

She couldn't think about that though, What scraps of agency she had was left behind with her little brother. She had a job to do, Her sole sword was the only thing she needed to bring with her.

Nothing else.

The meetup point was suppose to be only a few metres away behind a closed sukiyaki stand. This village, Despite it's lovely exterior, Was rife with a disgusting underbelly laying below the flowers and flair above.

That's what [F/N] was told anyways, She wasn't paid leftovers to question why or who she was here for. She was told to listen, She was told to obey. That's all [F/N] needed to do and all she had ever done, Ever since she had been on payroll at least.

She walked further and further, The sukiyaki stand now in sight. It was located within the dingier part of town, Where bars were more frequent and the only company you could acquire was drunkards and tipsy old women on the prowl.

This however was one of the only non-alcoholic food stands around. It stuck out like a sore thumb, Probably why it was the meet-up area in the first place. Easy for someone to spot yet not out of place for the locals around.

[F/N]'s footsteps stopped, Now standing directly infront of the closed wooden shutters of the stalls. Everything was quiet now, Nothing but the friendly chitters of crickets and the hush of the wind dancing in the air.

She waited, Not moving a muscle.

.

..

..

"You're here."

A voice echoed out from behind the stall, A familiar tune to the tone of monotone.

[F/N] blinked, Turning around she had already sensed the man by the shade he cast over the moonlight. By the stench of tobacco and the lingering scent of alcohol, She knew he was there.

"I said I would." [F/N] stated. Not a snarky response like one you'd banter back to a good friend, But just a statement. No emotion of affection behind it, No kind of fondness but a simple brash cordiality.

The man looked back at her, A scruffy beard haphazardly grown on his face with tired eyes. Yet they were vigilant, They were prying and they scrutinized the girl who was more than a foot smaller than her.

She didn't shake however, Her stance didn't stumble nor did it stutter. She stood strong, Stronger than someone like her should of been standing for. Staring him dead in the eyes he spoke once more.

"You have a large bounty tonight. This village is a hotbed for the lowest of the low, The payment will be better than the last, Around 5598 yen is up for grabs. You taking it?" The man asked, Taking and throwing the cigarette hanging from his mouth onto the ground. Stomping it out.

[F/N] nodded slowly, Calculating the amount of money she would earn. Was it enough for a single bowl of udon? Maybe two.. Shizuko did say he wanted to have more of the 'Fancy Food'.

Even so would she have any left afterwards? She'd need to be smart about this. Maybe once she got older she could earn more money like the adults taking contracts, Maybe then she'd be able to afford nicer things for him or perhaps even herself.

"Yes.. I'll take it." [F/N] confirmed, Her free hand extended and uncurled on instinct. The man blinked, Blowing out the last remnants of his cigarette in smoky wisps before reaching behind his back and fishing for something in his back pocket.

And then a scroll was dropped into her palm. Tossed by the man as her hand grabbed onto the chilled fibre, Pulling it back to her and uncurling the rolled paper.

"Okay, Have fun then. Report back the next night for your reward. You know the rules: If anything goes sour I'll find out.. And won't be back, Once you off the targets you bring the heads back for proof of kill and of course, Don't get caught." The man said, Turning around.

[F/N] didn't bother to watch him go, Eyes already skimming the names and locations written down on the paper. He had already disappeared into the dark of the night before she even bothered to glance up at him.

The paper had listed several unknown names and vaguely familiar locales, Just as usual. There seemed to be around six on this one, Six separate criminals for her to slaughter with their blood turning into her money.

That was her job. Ever since those men had lured her away with her baby brother in her hands she had been doing this. While [F/N] hadn't been born with the sensitive touch of the hands, She was born with something else.

A finesse with a sword, Or any weapon for that matter. Her hands were special in the way it swung a blade or jabbed it into flesh. Like a honey badger, It was a wonder how she could take on people so much bigger than her and come out on top.

Not even a skill but a talent, Not even needing much training from the group of mercenaries that had took her in. She didn't see much of them but she didn't need to either, Just travel from whatever village or city she was told to go to.

Killing criminals is what she did, The scum of the earth and the barnacles on the bottom of the ocean floor. Though as she thought about it more and more, It was more like the snake swallowing it's own tail.

She shook her head. Thinking wasn't something a mercenary was meant to do, Not in this kind of scenario. [F/N] squeezed the hilt of her sword, Her legs picking up in what she was meant to do as she took off into the vastness of the night.

[F/N] ran, Faster and faster as she didn't even make a sound running through the street. The first location was already engraved in her mind, Locked to the task, Her eyes went straight forward.

Morality was nothing but a hinderance when survival was a priority.

☆♡☆

The blood runs off the blade in rolls, Dripping carmine onto the cold dirt of the floor.

It splashes against the ground in splotches, Life returning to it's mother and seeping into the miniscule crack lining the muck. The wind did nothing to move the sword which it came from, Didn't freeze nor flare in the nights lukewarm air.

Popped vessels, Ligaments snapped like faulty twine, Jugulars punctured with polished canines and fingers chopped like fresh produce. None of these made her bat an eye, Not anymore.

The human body was like putty in her hands, Or bamboo against the edge of her blade. Once you do this for long enough, You learn to map out the nerves from foot to forehead. Memorise where to cut to cause most misery, What splatter of blood will come out if I puncture here?

Decapitating heads especially, Becoming akin to breathing over the years. Just one flick of her wrist and the spray of blood would burst into the air, The leftover bouncing away onto the ground.

[F/N] had to learn, Needed to if she wanted to survive. The severed head of both men, Women and even kids her own age being the singular trophy she needed to return with. Like a dog, She followed. Because if she didn't, She wouldn't be fed.

Being trained by a gang of mercenaries was nothing short of altering, Though [F/N] couldn't even remember what she had changed from in the first place. The only memory she carried was fast asleep in his bed, One where she worried for constantly.

When the blood runs into the river water, What's to say it won't reach the stream ahead? [F/N]'s tried her best to shepherd him away from her own life, Still tasting the lies on the tip of her tongue.

But their future, His future. Both of them were unsure, But [F/N] knew that she couldn't keep him away forever, Not when he started to grow and foster curiosity.

So she stood within the confines of the old rotting walls, Silently looking down at the carnage caused by her own blade. His severed head still spilt his own ichor, Eyes bulging and staring lifeless at his own decapitated body.

He wasn't the first, And he wasn't going to be the last either. Not for a while, Not for a long time coming.

[F/N] still had one more target to hit by the end of the night, And if she wanted her brother to eat by tomorrow she'd need to aim well.

So she entangled her fingers amongst the mans bloody locks once more, Yanking his head up and tossing it into the rucksack filled with all the rest, Making it feel right at home amongst all the other heads she carried.

And [F/N] left without a sound, Silent as she moved throughout the shadows of the room and out the drafty window cooling off the blood. No one spotted her, Not as her ravenous figure melded into the shadows.

On route to the next one.

☆♡☆

The darkness of the night, A curse to many that wandered the streets of this lone village yet it was a blessing for [F/N] as she moved throughout the shadows.

Her body was concealed. What few people were about had no idea about the young girl only feet away as she passed, Only a drift of the wind as her body circled the perimeter of the house.

It was her final target, Her final stop and that money would be hers. [F/N] was exhausted, Absolutely drained yet her heart kept pumping and her lungs working. She needed to keep going, Keep working until she broke.

That was what a good mercenary was, What a good tool was.

The house was bigger than the others in the village, In the nicer section of houses and streetways. It had two stories and was rather tall for it, The first floor being triple her height as a pre-teen.

She hopped the high fence with relative ease, No noise made as her legs swung over the lumber bar and feet thumping against the grassy floor. She hadn't been spotted, Not by any possible bystanders or the residents themselves.

[F/N] needed to move quickly. From what she had scouted, Her last target was inside. She hadn't spotted any others inside though the scroll did describe him as having a wife and child of some sorts, But from what she had seen they weren't home.

Her hands brushed against the splintered wood of the housing walls, Trailing her way towards the nearest window. It was so easy, For a usual criminal he definetly didn't have any survival instincts as it was open ajar.

Strange, But she didn't think much of it.

As she shuffled closer towards the window, She peered inside. Hands resting on the frame as her eyes barely peeked over the edge.

A simple table and tatami mat was the only thing inside. The lantern placed atop it wasn't lit, Even slightly broken, Making the room just as dark as it was outside. There were several doors, All shut.

But the centrepiece of the entire room, Was the man sitting at the head of the table.

He wasn't anything special, Though [F/N] couldn't see much of him as his back was turned to her. Just the scalp full of dark hair and a thinly green yukata that clothed him, Average too, This really did seem like an easy job.

The hands gripping onto the ledge tightened, Careful not to make a sound as she pulled herself up from the dirt and grass she stood on before. Worn sandals pressing on the old wood with no noise, She climbed inside.

Her feet hit the old floorboards, The creak being near melded into the silence. [F/N] stared at the man, Eyes not wandering for a single second. This was it, His nape was in sight and so ready to be cut.

Moving forward, He didn't suspect a thing. None of them did, Neither him nor the rest.

Her sword slid out of the hilt, Rusty blade not shining though the moonlight shone through the open window. Her grip tightened around it, Careful as she raised it up, High towards the gods that guided her blade.

"..Papa?"

[F/N] stopped.

For a moment she felt as if time itself had stopped around her, Just to observe to moment.

[F/N]'s eyes darted over to a door she hadn't noticed before, One along the far wall. It was tilted open, Just a crack. [F/N] didn't even notice that it had opened, But she certainly took note of the young girl looking through from the other side.

She was mousy with golden blonde hair, Dark eyes that peered through the crack. [F/N] could make out that she was young, Younger than her with pretty ribbons tied up in her honeyed-hair.

She was Shizuko's age..

[F/N]'s eyes connected with the girls, Her own widening as the sword in her hands was still raised in the air, Ready to strike down on her father.

But the man froze up, Shoulders raising as [F/N] realised the dark shape cast by her blade was in his full view.

He turned around, Terrified eyes meeting with the ones that were destined to kill him.

But in a split second he acted, Jerking his head back to meet his daughter, Eyes pleading as his mouth opened up to call out to her.

"M-"

He didn't even get past the first syllable.

[F/N]'s sword was brought down onto him like the striking tide against the shoreline, Blade cutting through the fibres of skin, Hardened bone to muscle. It didn't even take a second for his head to fly off his body in a spray of hot blood, Tossing around until it slammed into the front wall.

The head rolled onto the floor, Bruised and battered until it stopped.

Right in front of his daughter, Who looked down at it in horror.

The girl screamed, High and shrill as her dark eyes widened to their very limits.

[F/N] didn't know what happened, Her face splattered with the mans ichor as she looked over towards his severed cadaver of a head. The droplets of blood ran down her cheek to her chin, Nesting in the corners of her face.

From the corners of her eyes to between her lips, The ichor had infested.

Every inch of me is covered in the blood of an innocent man. She didn't have control of her body, Not her hands nor her blade. Instinct to kill acting on it's own. [F/N]'s eyes trailed down to her hands, Where the blood was most potent. Drenched entirely in red, Spilling onto her hilt and the metal of the rusty blade.

Holding her weapon up to her face, She looked at herself in what little reflection remained and just stared.

Don't get caught.

That's what he had said, That's what rung in her ears every time she hunted.

[F/N]'s eyes darted back over to the girl, Her screams still piercing and echoing around in the room. It was silencing, It was like air raid sirens hollering throughout the night. It was all [F/N] could hear, Not even listening to her ragged breathing no longer.

The girl pressed herself to the very back wall of the room she was in, Legs near crushing themselves into the wall in desperate attempt to keep the growing pool of blood away from her.

Did.. Did she do that? He had a child..? He had a child. He.. This man..

The mans head, Her fathers head. It stared up at the girl, Thanatoid eyes gazing up at his daughter.

It only made the girl cry harder.

"I.. I'm-" [F/N] didn't even acknowledge her parting of her lips or the strum of her vocal chords. Her fingers shook, Almost dropping the lowered blade in her hands.

"G-GET AWAY! G-GET AWAY!" The girl screamed, Eyes finally turning up to her and staring like a cornered animal. Like she was a ravenous wolf, Like the blade in her hands was the sharpened point of canines.

Ready to bite down onto her.

"D-DEMON, DEMON!! SOMEONE, H-HELP ME!!" The girl continued to scream as her knees almost buckled on her, Shaking, Trying not to collapse against the decapitated head of her father.

[F/N] stumbled back, Legs acting on their own.

She needed to go-! She needed to get out of here! The girl's wails would alert the neighbours soon if not already, Soon enough they'd find her- They'd get her-! In all protocol she should kill the girl- The girl-

The girl looked like Shizuko.

[F/N] ran.

Her body moved for her once more, Jerking around towards the open window and near lunging herself through it. Hands gripping the ledge, She felt herself snake through and the soles of her sandals slam against the dirtied ground.

The girls cries never stopped, Not as they ran through the window and echoed out into the empty night. [F/N] could already hear the calls of concerned neighbours, Watch as the bursts of lantern-lit light shine through the cracks of the houses around them.

[F/N] didn't wait to see their faces.

She sprinted away, Hopping the high fence with ease. This wasn't in the job, This wasn't in the deal! The man who she had slaughtered like cattle, From what she read on the list he hadn't had any daughter mentioned-!

It said he lived alone-! It said he-

[F/N] felt herself break.

They lied.

They lied to her.

[F/N] kept running, Making her way onto the streets as she heard the uproar of crowds. Yelling, Screaming and crying. All noises ran throughout the streets like a pack of dogs, Chasing her, Following her and ready to drag her back.

Those men, The people that had gave her the job. They had told her he was a criminal that lived alone in this town, No family of the sorts to be found. But he did, His daughter was there.

She looked well-cared for- She seemed healthy-

But they had lied.

And [F/N] had taken that away from her.

Tears started to drop down her hollowed cheeks, Shaking legs trying not to tumble over. She was still covered in that man's blood, Head to toe, But she ran like hell to the place her body took her.

Shizuko.

[F/N] needed to get to him immediately.

They needed to get out of this town, That girl had seen her and knows what she had looked like. Everyone would know, They'd be searching-

That man.

He wouldn't be back for her, Not for her bounty. With the way the village seemed up in arms, Screams piercing through the night and chasing her down, He would know exactly what had happened.

There would be no one to save her. Not her, Nor Shizuko.

So she ran, Faster than she ever did before.

Covered in the blood slaughtered innocence.

☆♡☆

"Careful-! We need to move quickly.."

[F/N] hissed lowly to Shizuko, Though it was not venomous in tone. The light of the daylight was a malison to them, Most ironically like a shadow, Following her like a curse.

Her hand gripped onto Shizuko's, His young undeveloped fingers wrapping around the thin and spindly phalanges of [F/N]'s. He looked up at her, Worried and confused eyes staring at the focused one's of his sister's as she peered around the corner.

[F/N]'s back was pressed firmly against the outer wall of the house, Located near the edges of the village. Her head poked around the corner, Observing the stroll of pedestrians nearby.

They were on edge, High alert. [F/N] could tell by their raised shoulders, The way their eyes darted back and forth as if something would jump out at them. They were very aware something was out there, Something dangerous.

They had her description, They most definetly did.

[F/N] heard the worried gossip of the locals in town, She heard the way they discussed the murders and the one who had hailed them. Her hair colour, Eye colour, Skin to her clothing was all rumoured about.

She couldn't be seen, Not even a glimpse.

"Onee-san.. What is happening? Why are we running?" Shizuko whispered, Hurriedly and hushed. His little hand gripped onto hers so tightly, Confused as to why she was so disturbed.

[F/N] glanced back at him, Trying to keep her horror to a minimum. "..Don't worry about it, We just need to lea- ACK-"

Though before she could finish her sentence she keeled over, Hand resting on the edge of the house lunged to her belly as she suddenly groaned in pain.

Shizuko gasped, Instantly coming to her side.

"Onee-san! Are you okay?! What's wrong?!" Shizuko cried as he watched [F/N] grasp desperatley at her tummy. It felt as if her stomach was eating itself whole, Not having anything in days, Her body started to feel woozy.

Drool ran down her lips, Aching for a bite of food she so desperately craved. But she wiped it off anyways, Trying to supress her hunger.

"..I-I'm fine.. D-Dont worry about me." [F/N] coughed as she finally released the hold on her stomach. [F/N] raised from her position, Back straightening out to display the ridges of her spine poking through it.

Though her answer was quick, Shizuko didn't believe it any longer. "No way! S-Something's wrong.. I.. Nee-chan, What's wrong with you..?" Shizuko whispered as he looked over [F/N]'s skeletal form.

There was no way they could get food here, Not anymore. The vendors would notice her, Especially the ones she had already swindled. Anyone she had interacted with in the past few days would recognise her description, So there was no feasible way she could get any sustenance.

Besides, It's not like she had the money to pay for it.

They needed to get out of here, But that was easier said than done. With the several murders, Some residents have taken to night patrols. Others who fancied themselves heroes have kept their eyes open, Searching for the person who could've done this.

Their loved ones, That was no doubt.

"..Please, Shizuko. I'll tell you everything later, I promise you.. But we need to leave now! We can't stay.." [F/N] pleaded with him, Squeezing his hand as tightly as she could with what little strength she had.

Shizuko looked back up at her, Eyes starting to water. Though he was young and unaware of the situation, He understood the severity. Especially when he looked into the eyes of his older sister, The ones that looked like they were about to shut down.

"Come on now.. The exit is only a bit away. We'll get some food and shelter for you soon.." [F/N] smiled through her pain, Hand starting to tug Shizuko along as she walked out of the corner.

It was a lie, This town was so far from it's neighbouring villages that it would take hours just to get to the nearest settlement. But [F/N] so desperately wanted to believe that they would get out, She had to, She had no other choice.

She'd get Shizuko out of this, Out of the mess she had made. Even though her body was failing, So close to collapsing altogether, The only thing she could think about was her younger brother's safety.

So she tugged him along, Carefully making her way through the streets. Scurried through alleyways and back routes, Making sure that no one would see her, That they would get out and she would somehow figure out a way to safety.

Her legs carried her forward, Thinning and whittling away by the second as she ambled towards where the town edge muddled into wilderness. Carried along the sides of the streets, She pulled the scarf over her head just a little further.

"Come on.. Almost there.." [F/N] assured Shizuko as she finally caught a glimpse of that finish line. Eyes shining with hope, She picked up the pace.

[F/N] finally saw the ending. The wilderness blurring from the town streets. She saw the lush clusters of leaves burst out from the branches in the trees, She saw the way the fields of rye-grass blow in the gentle wind.

She saw the sun high in the picturesque sky, And her stomached ached with hunger.

[F/N] stumbled towards it, Desperate as her legs shook like a new born-foals. Shizuko in hand she yearned for the sun, Wobbling towards it. Her vision growing deluded, Woozy in the head from the dire hunger in her stomach.

So close-! So close to-

[F/N] collapsed.

Her legs finally gave out, Knee's buckling under her as she fell to the ground. Her body hit the smoothed out dirt pavement with a thump! Fortunately letting go of Shizuko's hand in time, Not letting him fall with her.

"ONEE-SAN!" Shizuko yelped as he ran over to her fallen form. Lowering down onto his knees as he watched his older sister wheeze and sputter out what moisture she still held in her throat.

[F/N] picked up her head, Eyes straining towards the blue of the sky.

She needed to get up, [F/N] couldn't fail here! She had luckily fallen next to a wagon and horse duo that had luckily concealed her form from the passer-by's a few streets down, But [F/N] knew it would only be a temporary hide out.

Fingers dug into the dirt of the pavement, Muck getting under her hardened nails. [F/N] tried to get up, To get out of this situation and get Shizuko to safety. She needed to try.

Get up, Get up now! You can't fail here.. Useless- Get up-

"..Looks like you could use some help."

A man's voice called out.

[F/N] jerked her head up towards the wagon, What little spike of adrenaline helping her up. Her eyes widened, Strained and shaking as she watched the figure of an older man hobble around the side of the wagon.

He cast a shadow over her and her brother who had rushed to her side. Grey haired and weathered stature looming over them, [F/N] stared back up at him with wild eyes, Almost challenging him to do something.

"..Y-You. Who are you..?!" [F/N] interrogated, That coarse of adrenaline in her veins helping her to her knees along with Shizuko guiding her movements. She stared at the man, Arm moving in front of Shizuko as if to protect him.

The man took the cigarette out of his mouth, Staring back down at her as he tossed it on the floor and stomped it out.

"I'm a merchant 'round here. Was about to leave for the next town over with my exports before you two collapsed against my wagon, So'? You need help or what?" The man asked rather bluntly, Watching as [F/N] stumbled to her feet.

[F/N]'s eyes rushed to the wagon. Confirming his claims once her eyes laid on the clusters of jars, Crates of fresh produce and barrels filled assumedly to the brim of wines and juices of all kind.

It made her mouth water on command once more, Stomach lusting after the sweet-sour taste of the fruits inside.

The man caught quick wind of this, Instantly moving in front of his wagon.

"Ah, Ah! You ain't takin' any of my stock without a fee, Little Lady." The merchant remarked, Standing rather defensively between her and his wagon. [F/N] gritted her teeth in turn, The greed of this man making her want to punch his jaw in.

But before she could say anything, The merchant spoke up once more.

"I recognise you, Ya' know." He started, Leaning up against the Wagon. "You're that kid who killed some of the people around here, You match the description from what I've heard. Or am I wrong about that?"

"..Yeah, So what?" [F/N] huffed, Nose curling up into a snarl as she almost challenged him with her eyes. So he did recognise her, Word has spread even to the travellers passing through.

The mans lips upturned into an opportunistic grin, Standing up to his full height.

"I could get cha' outta here, Both you and that one there." He said, Pointing a fine finger towards Shizuko. "It just so happen's that I'm passing by a pretty lovely village to sell my stock, Maybe I could drop you off there."

[F/N]'s eyes narrowed in on him.

"What's the catch?" She prompted.

"The catch is 5000 yen." The man replied as he fished a hand into his yukata pocket, Reeling out a cigarette which he promptly stuck in his mouth. "I ain't wavering on the price, It's sittin' firm."

"5000 yen..?" Shizuko asked lowly, Glancing back towards [F/N] who instantly started to search through the pockets of her haori.

Her hands searched desperately, Trying to scrounge as much coins as possible from within her pockets. Fingers touching cool material, They snatched every little penny from inside and yanked them out into her palms.

Shizuko watched as [F/N] started to count the coins laying within her palms, Shifting through every last one as she tallied the number in her head.

[F/N]'s lips thinned.

She counted them again, Flipping through the coins once again with just a little more urgency than before. Come on, Please- 5000 yen. [F/N] prayed to whatever god was listening, Whatever one could help her, Prove the number wrong-

"Nee-chan.. Do we have enough..?" Shizuko asked, Tugging on her haori as he noticed her crestfallen expression.

"I.." [F/N] stuttered, At lost for words as she stared at the amount carried in her hands.

2530.

2530 was all she had.

The man seemed to take note of her expression, Watching as her face just went blank, Staring dead at what could've almost been her death sentence laying in her palms.

"Ah, Well. If you don't have enough money, Can't take you and the kid there. It'd be a long journey and you'd need to take some of my produce, The stuff I'm tryna sell here." The man explained, Shrugging as he lit his cancerette and turned away.

[F/N]'s expression grew frantic, Watching as he started to just waltz away from her and her brother. She loathed him, She hated him. A man who had more than others yet yearned for their riches anyways.

He was greedy, He was mammonish. Everything [F/N] hated in a man yet he was the only one who could get them out of here.

Looking down at the pennies in her hand, She knew that she wouldn't be able to afford their journey out of here. Their journey. [F/N] looked down towards Shizuko, Watching his eyes start to loose that glimmer.

It made something in her just.. Stop.

That frantic look in her eyes started to die, Her hunger slowly fading to nothing but white noise in the background as she looked at him with something more akin to acceptance. Shizuko, Her younger brother, The boy who she loved and cared for his entire life.

They had fought through hunger, Fought through thunder and storm and won against all odds. She had lied and swindled hundreds, Killed even more, All to make sure that her little brother would survive.

But what were the odds now?

Her head turned up towards the sky, Where the sun was held. It was almost looking down at her like the gods from the heavens above, The beautiful blue sky that reflected in her eyes, The birds soaring free through the clouds.

They wouldn't get out of here, They would not live.

Not together.

"..Then just take him, Take my brother."

The man turned around, Lit cigarette in mouth as he turned to look at the girl stood still beside his wagon.

Shizuko's eyes widened, The grip he had on her haori tightening.

"Nee-chan! What do you mean just me?!" Shizuko yelled, Tugging harshly on her haori to try and get her to look at him. "What about you..?! You're coming too, Right? Come on, Don't be like that!"

Despite his cries, [F/N] didn't look down at him. She didn't move or budge a bit, Almost despondent, Her eyes wandering somewhere far off into the distance.

"The price for both of us is 5000 yen. I have 2530, That is half of that number. So just taking my brother would be enough fee." [F/N] spoke. Soft in tone as she smiled, Finally turning down to look at Shizuko.

He stared back at her with terror unlike she had ever seen, But her eyes only held acceptance. Acceptance of her fate, Acceptance of his.

She smiled at him, And Shizuko felt himself shatter.

"Mmm… Yeah, Alright' I'll take that deal." The man broke through their silent conversation, Shrugging as he walked forward towards them with an expecting palm out. "Hand it over and the deal's done."

[F/N] outstretched the fist that clutched the last of her saving tightly, Hovering it over his hand.

"Before I give you this.. You need to promise me something." [F/N] said, Her voice darkening along with the sharpen of her eyes.

"Shoot." The man prompted.

"You must promise that Shizuko will be taken care of." [F/N] insisted, Staring him dead in the eyes. "You make sure that he'll be fed and housed somewhere, With good people. Make sure he has a damn good life."

"Nee-chan.. What are you doing..?" Shizuko muttered. The look in her eyes, The one that reflected the suns greatness. The acceptance within them, Shizuko did not understand even a little bit.

The man almost laughed at that, Humourlessly, But almost.

"Yeah, Sure, Whatever. There's a nice little rundown temple where some monk takes care've a buncha kids like you. He'll be fed real good there." The man said, Rolling his eyes before blowing out a puff of cigar smoke.

[F/N] eyed him like a rabid dog before finally letting go of the coins in her hand, Letting them fall into his hands.

She has no other choice.

He quickly snatched them up, Stuffing them in his already filled pockets before waving a hand and turning towards the front of the wagon.

"Alright then'. Then say your goodbyes quickly and get your brother in the back. I gotta head out quickly if I want to make it there by dawn." The man said as he strode off around the side of the wagon, Going off to tend to the twin horses sat idle in front of it.

[F/N] didn't remove her eyes from the back of his fine-woven yukata, Though her gaze was somewhere far-off. Despondent, She didn't move.

But Shizuko kept tugging on her arm, What little strength his age had started to plead with her.

"Nee-chan! What do you mean just me?! What about you? You're coming with me right..? You promised you would stay with me! You said that you would so don't break your promise!" Shizuko asked rather urgent, Eyes pleading with the ones that didn't meet his.

[F/N]'s lips parted, Letting out a small sigh as she finally turned her head around to meet him.

A smile still there, Plastered on her face.

But her eyes spoke differently, And Shizuko couldn't comprehend what they meant.

"..Of course." [F/N] spoke, Her thumb starting to rub circles into his hand. "But right now.. I'm going to need you to be brave, Okay? You're going to go away somewhere for a while, Somewhere I can't follow.."

[F/N] bent down onto a single knee, Barely keeping her up as she lowered down to meet Shizuko's eyes. He looked back at her, Turtling back into his shamrock yukata. He seemed at a loss for words, Barely able to stutter out a sentence.

"What.. You're not coming with me?" Shizuko mumbled, Shaking his head. "What will happen to you? Where will you go..?"

[F/N] continued to look him in the eyes, Smile still on her face yet it faltered.

It was if her lips had tightened, Pressed together to make sure the words she had wanted to say would not get out. [F/N] didn't dare speak them no matter how much she may have wanted to, No, Instead she looked up towards the sun.

The blue sky was as vibrant as it always was, The birds sailing free across the expanse of their sea. Hark, [F/N] could hear their calls, It echoed throughout the sky above, Making her long for the heavens.

But the birds raised higher and higher, The sun above seemed much more dull than it usually did. [F/N] watched as the clouds drifted away, Away from her. The sun continued on as the birds soared off into the distance.

They would continue, She would not.

"..I'll be fine, Shizuko, You know I will.. I.. We'll just be apart for a while, Okay? Once I'm settled and doing better, I'll come find you, Okay?" [F/N] tasted the sour flavour on her tongue, The same one that appeared when she talked to town merchants.

Disgusting.

Even so, Shizuko didn't seem to accept this, Heartrate spiking as he lunged into her arms.

"N-No! I don't want to leave! I wanna stay with you Nee-chan! Don't let me go, I-I don't to leave- You promised, You promised!" Shizuko cried as he wrapped his tiny arms around her mid-section and buried his head into the hollow crook of her shoulder.

[F/N], Even though her strength was dwindling quickly could very well pull him off of her. She could of very well picked him up and set him down onto the back of the wagon, But she didn't.

Instead, She wrapped her own spindly arms around him, Resting her head atop his mop of curls and sigh.

She closed her eyes, She had to do this.

"Shizuko.. How about I tell you a story?" [F/N] whispered, Pulling him closer towards her.

Shizuko blinked, Tightening his hold around her. [F/N] didn't hear a single word from him, Not whisper or wail. She sighed once more, Knowing very well that Shizuko wouldn't say anything.

So [F/N] took a deep breath in and started.

"…So, Once upon a time there was.. A boy and his lamb." [F/N] began, Digging her nose deeper into the curls of his hair. "The boy and the lamb were very close, They had basically been together since birth.. The boy was the lamb's very best friend.."

"..The lamb was the boy's best friend too, Right?" Shizuko finally mumbled, Head still firmly pressed into her neck like an anchor, Unwilling to let her go.

[F/N] smiled.

"Maybe. I suppose it depends on how you decide to look at the story.." She said, Staring up towards the sky once more.

"The boy and the lamb did everything together. They ate together, They slept together, They were never apart and both of them were very happy about that.. The boy loved the lamb, And the lamb loved the boy." She whispered.

"Until..?"

"..Until the lamb wandered too far from home one day." [F/N] said, Now unable to stop the water boiling up over the rims of her eyes. "T-The lamb was careless and cocky, It had wandered into a lions den."

Shizuko noticed the wobble in her tone, Eyes darting over to see the face he just couldn't make out from this angle. [F/N] kept his head pressed softly down on the crook of her neck, Not wanting him to worry.

"And the lamb was stupid enough to drag the one person it loved most into the den with it, The boy had followed the lamb and now they would both be eaten alive for it.. They both would die." [F/N] whispered.

[F/N] now had a hard time keeping her voice steady, Keep herself from hugging Shizuko tighter and never letting go. [F/N] didn't want this, She didn't want to die. She wanted to live but-

"..N-Now, The lamb was much faster than the boy. It could very well just run away to leave the boy to die, It could save itself but.." [F/N]'s words died out into nothing more than a whisper now, The grip on her younger brother softening to a featherlight grace.

Tears flooded over, There was no other option.

"The lamb had gotten them into that situation, T-Therefore the lamb decided that it would get eaten while the boy ran. The lamb would give itself up for the boy, Because.. T-The lamb loves the boy, The lamb would do anything for him.." [F/N] croaked, Holding him closer to her chest.

Shizuko couldn't feel the hot tears melting into the curls of his hair, He wouldn't see where they came from even if he did. But his eyes started to wobble, Specks of saline starting to dust his eyes.

He gripped onto her tighter, Tighter than he ever did before.

"What does it mean.. Nee-chan, W-What does the story mean?" Shizuko whispered.

"..I-It means that the boy needs to run now. No matter if the boy and the lamb don't want to separate, E-Even if they had promised to stick together. It means that he must go now and leave the lamb behind.." [F/N] whispered.

Her grip loosened on him ever so slightly, Almost debating whether she should stay like this forever or let him leave. But the way her stomach ached, The way she felt that she would fall apart any minute now.

It told her what she needed to do, What she must.

[F/N] let go of Shizuko, And with whatever little strength she had left in her body she snaked her thinning arms under his armpits and hauled him up towards the back of the wagon, Nestling him amongst the piles of cargo.

Shizuko didn't cry, But his eyes became an angry red. He didn't take his eyes off of her either, And [F/N] was too dehydrated to cry any longer. So she just stood, Smiled as she stumbled back away from him.

"Nee-chan.. You'll come find me, R-Right?" Shizuko pleaded as he laid in-between the goods, Settled between boxes and jars filled with everything that he'd ever need. "You won't forget about me.. You.. I'll see you again, Right?"

Shizuko, Born from the blood of his predecessors and raised through storm and slaughter. His hands were blessed by the gods, His palms were divine. He was curious, He was intuitive, Headstrong to the letter.

He was smart, He was clever.

Yet just not enough to know that here today, He would be the only one to see the glory of the moon tonight.

"Of course. I'll find you after all of this is over.. Sooner or later." [F/N] smiled, Weak and feeble as she tried to quell the way her organs started to die. The way her muscles started to fail, Her eyes grow foggy.

In her barely-working heart she knew it was a lie, And it disgusted her to her very core. But he didn't need to know that, He only needed to survive.

"Leavin' now!" The merchant called out from the head of the wagon, Sat with the reigns of the twin horses clutched tightly within his palms. He had a lazy look as he glanced back at them, Only needing the confirmation of the back of Shizuko's head and [F/N]'s distance away from his wagon to take off.

It happened in a single whip of the reigns, A squeal of the twin horses' rally and the rattle of the wagons wooden frame.

The horses raised their front hooves, The shine of their sleek chestnut coat shone under the sun as they slammed them back down onto the smoothed out pavement.

They took off, Dust in their wake as the wagon was pulled along with their trailblazing gallop. Stallions, They had to be, Otherwise how could they have dragged them apart so quickly?

The sound of clopping hooves, The neigh of the equines. [F/N] stood by, As still a broken clock as the dust of the stallions gallop drift around her emphasised ankles. She watched, Eyes still connected to Shizuko's with the saddest smile she had ever worn painted on her face.

He stared back at her, Still sat on the back of the cargo. He rocked back and forth along with the movements of the wagon, Though his eyes remained fixed to her no matter what. An unsure, Tight lipped frown on his face.

He got smaller and smaller, Almost like a speck of dust. [F/N] didn't know how long she stood there, How long until the beautiful blue sea above them became one with the horse and wagon.

And Shizuko was gone, Disappearing on the horizon.

The sun still shone bright in the sky as ever, The clouds drifted further and further away from her and the birds became nothing but a memory she could recall in her far mind. And as ever, She was starving, Soon to die.

The wind brushed through her untended hair, Dancing in the wind. It tickled at her skin, Lukewarm summer heat seeping into the skin that hung thinly on her skeletal frame. She took it in, The last she would ever feel.

[F/N] turned, Eyesight becoming two-timed and foggy. She stumbled in her walk, Mind working slower than it would ever normally but she knew what she had to do as she tried to keep her footing in stride.

[F/N] found it funny, What little strength she had was used to recall a fact. One she had read from a book she'd stolen once, It was a fun piece of trivia. One she recalled as she turned in the other direction and stumbled off.

When cats grew old, When their time came and they were going to die. That cat was said to sense it, To know when it was going to pass on to the next life.

When it did, When that cat got that impending sense of their life-string shortening it was spoken to go off and find a place to die. They do this because they know that they are weak and vulnerable to predation, They do it because it's peaceful.

But a cat doesn't want to die alone, A cat would much rather pass on surrounded by what little loved ones it had. But it's a complicated answer as to why they would prefer isolation, Aside from the benefits it might give.

There is no one answer as to why the cat chooses solidarity, Some even go the opposite route and become much more affectionate to their owner.

But if they do isolate they will often curl up to numb their pain, They go to sleep, Unconscious after days and nights of walking. Somehow still alive despite their fragile state.

Laid against the steps of a shrine, Shadow protecting them from the scorching heat of the cruel morning.'

☆♡☆

The slosh of the cold ocean waves hit the legs of the rickety wooden docks as always, Aquamarine seafoam was their residue, Running down their supports in rolls.

The shrine stood tall, Decaying support and dying candle-light still visible through the paper-thin windows. Like a god above everything else, It towered. Her prison still there to loom over her, Cast a shadow on her back.

The dark void of the infinity castle still hung overhead, The emptiness almost audible and reverberating through the entire passage. It was so null here, So completely nothing. It was lonely, It was isolating. Alone, As always.

And Akaza's hand was still gripped firmly with [F/N]'s, Fingers hesitantly interlocking in a union unfamiliar to both.

"..I have killed hundreds, Akaza. Not demons, But human beings. People who did nothing to provoke me or my ire.." [F/N] spoke, So low that it could've melted into the sloshing of the luminescent sea around them.

But Akaza heard it well, He heard it all.

The slaughtered newborns, The slaughtered men, The starvation and the sacrifice. The lion and the lamb.

His eyes were focused into a point of the docks below him, The broken glass of his golden eyes didn't look up at her, Not as their fingers were still entwined. The story that she had told him, The one where she had starved against a shrine not unlike the one they were perched before.

His stare intense against the docks, His lips thinned.

The story she had told him, To survive as the strongest of the weak. It made something in him turn, Something he did not like.

"..You had to survive. You killed because you needed to feed your brother and yourself, It is just simple survival of the fittest." He didn't have control of his tongue in that moment, He himself was not even sure why he was saying this. But he didn't make a move to stop it, Just squeeze her hand tighter.

[F/N] glanced over to him with sorrowed eyes, An angry strained red appearing in them. There was no light reflecting in them, A frown deeper than her eyebags appearing on her face.

Still sodden wet with the ocean's salty water, From her hair to her clothes she was drenched. Droplets running down her skin like rain on a tiled roof, Chilled, She was shaking. Still curled up into a fetal position as if trying to calm herself down.

Like a cornered animal she sat, Terrified and alone.

"Thats the thing.. Akaza." [F/N] sighed, Looking back over towards the colliding waves of the ocean. "I have killed innocence. I have killed fathers, Mothers, Daughters and brothers. Every inch of me is drenched in their blood.."

She spoke, Her words turning into cold vapour floating off into the air.

"I am nothing but an abandoned beast.. I have broken my promises, My word is my lie- Just.. Don't try to convince me I'm a good person, I don't want to hear that right now.." [F/N] whispered as she dropped her head down, Closing her eyes as if to wake up from some terrible dream.

But reality was a horrid reminder not many could escape. Akaza didn't say much after that, How could he? What words were right to speak? Would he even dare? Why the hell did he even care in the first place?

[F/N] shook her head, Water still dripping down her defeated form.

"..What about you?"

"..What?" Akaza responded as his eyes darted over to hers for only a moment, Confused to her prompt.

"..Why'd you save me? You know.. Apart from getting to kill Kokushibo. You seemed pretty adamant that I still had something to offer.. But.." [F/N] pursed her lips, Her brows knitting together as if picking her words carefully.

"..You broke your principle. You hurt me, A woman." [F/N] finally said, Turning her dropped head to look at him. She recalled how he had punched her mid-fall, Pushing her over just far enough so that she would land in the water.

Blood had came out, He had injured her.

Akaza's body instantly tensed up, Muscles flexing up into something that seemed defensive as a scowl appeared on his face. [F/N] could feel his grip grow tighter around her palm, Something she didn't react to.

"..I didn't hurt a woman." Akaza remarked, Spitting out his words like a snake shooting venom. "..I stopped the strongest Hashira from making the worst decision of their life, From throwing away their strength."

[F/N] almost rolled her eyes if it wasn't for that unwanted flicker of gratitude still harboured in her soul, She clicked her tongue.

"..Whatever. It's not like it matters anymore.. Inari isn't real, Kaigaku is still alive and.. There is no way I'll ever get out of here, Out of this hell, Not alive anyways.." [F/N] whispered into the voids cool air, Almost wanting to glance up at the heavens before ultimately deciding against it.

[F/N] didn't say anything more after that, Neither did Akaza have a response. Instead the noise was filled with the settling of the old shrine behind them, The battle of the waves against the docks and the infinite emptiness of the void.

She sat there, Hands still covered in slick cardinal ichor. It would never wash off, No matter how much she'd scrub and scrub in the bath until her skin peeled off. It would remain forever, Wet and undried. Disgusting and dirty.

[F/N] had ruined hundreds, If not thousands of lives.

What redemption was in letting her stay alive when she had taken the souls of the many? What reason did she have to exist, To still be standing when everything around her just fell apart at her hand. Shizuko, Mitsuri, Everyone.

[F/N] was their curse, Their burden.

Tears started to reform in her eyes.

Why was she still alive?

Akaza sighed, Mind working thousands of miles per hour. He didn't know how to feel or what to do, How to comprehend all that happened in the last few hours. Kaigaku, The Soul Hashira and her suicide attempt-

How could he possibly react?

"..There is nothing I can do anymore.. I.. I just can't go on like this. Everyday it feels harder and harder just to not breakdown and give up.. I.. I just wanna give in, What more can I do?" [F/N] whispered not to Akaza but herself, Still staring intently at her palms.

Akaza still sat staring down at the old wooden stairs, His lips still thinned into a prominent line. He was lost in thought, Words spoken by the woman beside him swirling in his mind like an oncoming storm.

What could she do? What could she possibly-

Akaza's eyes widened.

"..What? You got something to do or..?" [F/N] took notice of the sudden change in his actions. Especially once his head perked up and snapped towards her, Almost able to see the lightbulb sparking over his head.

"Shit.. No.. Actually, There is something you can do." Akaza spoke and [F/N] instantly scowled at him. Great, Another lecture. She tossed her head to the side and lowered her head.

"..Akaza, I don't want some misguided speech about how it's all worth it. Please, Just keep it to yourse-"

"No-! No, I mean like there is something you can do to actually get out of here!" Akaza butted in, Exasperated as he looked back at her with an annoyed glare. [F/N] narrowed her eyes on him, Drifting her vision over to him.

What plan could he possibly have to get her out of here?

"You said that you and Kokushibo don't have a good relationship, Yes?" Akaza asked, Urgent in the eyes and voice.

"..Yeah? What of it?" [F/N] asked, Rather suspicious as she eyed him up and down.

"Then maybe that's the way to getting you out of here." Akaza stated, Almost as if he had this thought out in the minute he had planned it. "You need to gain his trust, You need to make him lower his guard."

[F/N] gawked at this, Eyes widening.

He was suggesting of all things, Of all possible ways to get her out of here.. Was getting friendly with her captor? A demon who had certainly killed thousands, Kidnapped her and destroyed her shrine. He was suggesting she played nice with him?

"Oh, Absolutely not." [F/N] rebutted, Shaking her head adamantly as she curled tighter into that sitting fetal position. There was absolutely no way she would ever try to please that monster, The one that she deemed worse than herself.

Akaza scoffed, Starting to pinch his temple in frustration.

"Oh come on, [F/N]. I'm giving you a way to get out of here, Gain the bastards trust. It sounds like he likes you and that is a fucking miracle here." Akaza snapped as he grew closer to her. "You would be the only person he would ever relax around, So you fucking take advantage of that."

[F/N] stared at him as if he had grown two heads, As if he had spoken absolute gibberish and expected her to understand it.

She opened her mouth, Angry and ready to argue.

"No, No, No! I'm not getting friendly with that goddamn degenerate. I-I don't wanna play house with him! I don't want to pretend to be his sister or.. Oh for fucks sake he's uppermoon one, He's a bastard. He's- HE'S-"

"-He's giving you any other choice?" Akaza cut in, Making [F/N] silence herself immediatley as she was met with the determined and unwavering stare of Uppermoon three looking her dead in the eyes.

[F/N]'s mouth hung open, Ready to argue and rebut everything he said but-

Nothing came out, Not a single word.

[F/N] shut her mouth, Slowly guiding it to close. Was she really given any other choice, In this vacant hell there was nothing but her and her captor. But was she really willing to give up her morals for..

Morals. Why would morals matter now? It didn't when she swindled family men out of their well-earned goods, Wrung the necks of hundreds and broken the promises she had held so deeply to her heart.

She was already at the bottom of the barrel, She couldn't sink any lower.

"..No. I don't have any other choice." [F/N] whispered as she turned away from Akaza, Eyes no longer wanting to linger on him and look at that determined expression. Jealous of his tenacity.

Akaza smirked, Getting through to her.

"Then you start playing nice with that bastard. You make him think that you want to be near him, All the while planning your escape out of here." Akaza said, Almost commanding as he squeezed her hand.

[F/N] sighed.

The grasp on Akaza's hand started to loosen, Fingers slipping away from their knot before retracting altogether. Akaza's watched [F/N] pull herself to her feet, The step underneath creaking with her weight.

"..Yeah, Okay. Whatever." [F/N] sighed. "I'll.. Play nice."

Akaza's smirk died, His eyes narrowing in on her as he watched her walk aimlessly up the stairs, Towards the shrine.

"[F/N]..!"

She turned her head almost despondently towards Akaza, A look in her eyes that told him she was lost. That her feet carried her somewhere she did not know, That something was still very long with her.

"I still have a question.." Akaza called out to her, Putting a hand beside him to push Akaza to his feet. "The Sunlight Village, The one you said you grew up in. It's still apart of the demon slayer corps, No?"

[F/N] looked at him as if she knew what he was about to ask. It was out of curiosity, Out of genuine want to know. To him, It just didn't add up.

"..If you were apart of the demon slayer corps as a prominent member, Your father, The head of the sunlight village would've been able to recognis-"

"-I killed my father, Akaza."

[F/N] called out and her voice echoed throughout the entire void. Akaza stopped, Falling silent instantly at her quick answer. [F/N] smiled as she looked at him fully now, Humourless, Sad more than anything.

"I returned to The Sunlight Village, This time with a sword in my hand. By the time I had returned my mother had died from a miscarriage years before, So I couldn't get to her. But unfortunately for me, My father was still alive." [F/N] started.

"I severed his head with my own blade, I dragged his body to the river by the house and squeezed him until he popped every last drop of blood into the water." [F/N] stated so calmly, As if stating the sky was blue or that the grass was green.

Akaza could only stare dead as she turned back around, Not moving, Still as the wind now as they sunk in the silence.

"..If there was one person in this world that I do not regret slaughtering, Then it was him." [F/N] finished, A sort of fire in her voice so sure of itself. "That monster deserved it and so much more, I was merciful for giving him death."

And as soon as the words left her mouth she had raised her foot, Stepping forward and ambling towards the entrance of the shrine.

Akaza didn't speak up after that, His question answered and so much more as he watched the woman he thought he had figured out start to walk off. Would she be okay? Akaza knew deep down somewhere in his cold heart that she'd be fine.

For now, At least. She'd be alright for now.

But.. She didn't tell him the full story.

From where she had finished off, Any person listening from an outside view would've assumed she had starved and died. Though she was still standing, Barely, But still alive she was.

She didn't tell him how she survived, How she got mixed up with the slayers or kill one thousand of his kind. She didn't say how she became a man when she worked as a Hashira, Nor did she say why she wanted to kill demons in the first place.

Akaza didn't ask anymore questions however, Today had enough of them. He didn't have the energy nor the guts to question her any longer. Instead, He'd let it settle, Just for a little while.

She didn't want to tell him, And that was fine.

He'd let it go, Just for today.

Akaza turned around, Beginning to wander off down the rickety yet trusty docks. The still wind started to pick up and start to dry of his corpse-coloured skin, Making the small tufts of salmon hair start to wave in the air.

And just as fast as he came, He left. Disappearing in a burst of wind and the strum of the biwa woman he called out to.

☆♡☆

The sunlight flooded in through the cross-paned window, Illuminating the specks of dust drifting through the inner spring air.

The emboldening light reached the desk of the makeshift office sat in the infirmary of the butterfly mansion, Amaterasu's radiance smiling down on the petite woman idling by the bookshelf adjacent to the desk.

Shinobu shut the hard-cover book, Carefully reaching upwards to place it back with it's family of similar literature. Biology, General medicine, Botany. All of these were keywords in all the titles, Each sorted and ordered neatly on the shelf.

It was a slow day in the infirmary, Only one or two patients laying fast asleep on the beds lain out for them. This gave Shinobu some time to herself, Time she usually dedicated to practicing her craft or getting her usual one-hour in for sleep.

But she didn't feel like sleeping, And she had flicked through every book in her library a good few thousand times. Other tasks she usually did like feeding her pet goldfish, The one sat on a cosy fishbowl on her desk had already been tended to.

So Shinobu wandered over to the windowsill, Where a sudden floral aroma hit her nose like it usually did. But unlike flicking through her books it never got old, Instead making her smile something more genuine than she usually wore.

Petunias, They were her favourite flower.

In the past few months or so, Shinobu had taken a hobby to gardening. Often spending more and more time out in the mansion's lush gardens, Planting and potting flowers, Digging up produce grown in the soil.

She found something comforting about watching something so small as a seed grow into a budding flower. The petunias she grew on the long pot across her windowsill being a particular example.

Shinobu reached a delicate hand out, Cupping the base of where the stem met the petals with a polite touch. Leaning down just a little bit she closed her eyes, Taking a long breath of the sugar-like scent, Inhaling every ounce of it into her lungs.

It calmed her, If only a little bit.

TAP! TAP!

Shinobu opened her eyes.

She raised back up to her full height, Hand falling away from the flower as she spied the visitor on the other side of the windowsill. It was her crow, Kamakiri, A sleek ebony feathered bird with a decorative butterfly charm collar around it's neck.

Shinobu smiled, Reaching over and flicking open the latch to the window. She pulled it up with a mindful screech, Careful not to wake what little patients she had in the infirmary.

"Ah.. Kamikiri~! I see you're back from your scouting." Shinobu greeted. "Though I suppose that's not entirely why you're here.."

Between the beak of the crow was a pristine white envelope, One the colour of doves. Kamikiri nudged it forward and Shinobu took no time in fishing it from her birds mouth, Stretching out a single finger on her free hand for her bird to sit on.

Kamikiri happily took the perch, Flapping its wings upwards before settling down on top of her mistress' finger. Shinobu, With her free hand, Managed to unseal the letter from within the envelope with relative ease.

She held it up to the sunlight, Letting Amaterasu guide the words dotted with ink on the paper. Her glossy eyes scanned every symbol, Her lips pursed as she continued on, An intrigued expression appearing on her face.

"..A cult near Fukushima, I see.." Shinobu muttered as she continued scanning the letter, Observing the official report from the head kakushi. She continued on, Eyes reading every word with consideration.

But her breath hitched in her throat.

Kamikiri squawked, Her wings flapping once, Then twice before lowering down and taking off out the window. She soared out yet stayed close to the mansion, Circling back to go assumedly perch in the makeshift bed that was made for her here.

Eyes widening, Shinobu's shoulders raised. What resemblance of a smile on her face broke down into a monotone line, Eyes staring blankly at the keyword written plain on the piece of paper.

Shinobu's eyes darkened, The petunia's smell becoming all the more potent.

"UPPERMOON TWO"

Next Chapter

#yandere #yandere x reader #tw yandere #yandere x you #moodboard #demon slayer #demon slayer kimetsu no yaiba #kimetsu no yaiba #kokushibo x you #kokushibo #kokushibo x reader #yandere kokushibo #yandere kokushibo x reader #kny #demon slayer fanfic #demon slayer x child reader #Kokushibo #kimestu no yaiba #kny x reader #demon slayer x reader #yandere platonic kokushibo #yandere platonic #upper moons #kokushibo x y/n #kokushibo headcanons #demon slayer shinobu #kny x you #michikatsu tsugikuni #michikatsu x reader #kny michikatsu

[trancylovecraft]

So, I just met you today with the Cherry Blossom Kokushibo fic and, you know, I just fell in love with your writing

I've had this idea in my mind for a while and when I read your fanfic I just knew you were the perfect person to put it into words

May I request an Oneshot with Muzan Kibutsuji/Fem reader? So, I've imagined for a while a fanfic where Muzan encounters a female reader who suffers from albinism, having very pale skin, white hair and natural red eyes. Because she was born like that, people rumored her to be a demon (sensibility to sunlight and red eyes aggravated that), and that caused her to be isolated from all and unable to wed. She is from a noble family and that is why she's still alive, but that doesn't soothe the wound since her family treats her like an outcast.

Bitter with resentment, under the moonlight of the bedroom, she curses all of those who waste their health living mundane lives while she suffers in loneliness. Her nihilism, indifference and hate makes her unafraid of Muzan as, if she thinks he will devour her, she asks for him to at least kill her family too. Little does she know that Kibutsuji already knows her, and he is infatuated with her. (If he wants to wed her and turn her into a demon she ain't complaining, especially if their engagement is celebrated with a bit of family massacre)

This idea was inspired by spider lillies, moonlight and the fact that I'd like to imagine Muzan with someone who resembles him when he was a human (Narcisistic King would only date those who remind him of himself)

I apologise if this request is too long for your liking, I am not very good with words and simplifying something I am excited about!

- the banana split jane doe

(KNY) YANDERE MUZAN x ALBINO READER: The Light Side of the Moon

(DW, I gotchu girlie. Hope you enjoy this one!)

The sun's rays shone down onto the overgrown field.

The rays seemed to reflect off of every grass strand and every drop of dew fell from the rain the night before.

It was a beautiful day despite the heavy rain last night, So much so that in the early hours of the morning the village kids had left early to run around in the grass and play dirty. Of course they would, It was getting into the colder months as indicated by the chilling breeze running through the valley. The children had to make use of every wake of sunlight before the snow came in.

So out in the field there was a good group of kids in the dozens play fighting and playing tag, Not giving mind to the dirtying of their kimono's and haori's. Their laughter rang out and bounced around like they were in a cave.

"Stupid.." [F/N] muttered, A bitter resentment lacing her voice like venom as she looked out at all the kids running wild in the valley.

She sat perched under the big zelkova tree overlooking the entire valley. It's branches were large and it's leaves were enough in number to filter out any sunlight passing through it, A perfect condition for the girl.

[F/N] sat right up against the tree for support as she brushed her hair with her fingers. Her locks were pure white, So was her skin. It wasn't like the kids who had pale skin nor was her hair light like the occasional person with a story, But instead something much more extreme.

When [F/N] was born she was diagnosed with albinism. According to the doctor who delivered her, Her mother had screamed in disgust at the sight of her while her father had demanded to know who she cheated on him with.

Her father wanted to kill her, He couldn't stand to look at such a horrid child. He wanted to throw her out into the river and hope nature took its course, However, He was fortunately stopped by the mere fact that they were noble blood and had already told the village-people the birth was successful. Killing her now would only severely damage reputation. Therefore letting her live.

From that day forward she was considered bad luck.

The local folklore was that albinism was a curse from an ancestor to atone for wrongdoings done in their time. It was an omen of death, Also known as: Something to avoid.

And the locals took it to heart. Every time [F/N] would walk down the street, Every time she'd go out to the market she'd get stares, Heckled and harassed her when she walked. Suddenly the prices at the market would go up, Just for her.

It didn't help that the consequences that came with the defect definetly made it seem like a curse. Due to the complete lack of melanin anywhere the sun scorched her skin like fire, Leaving her needing to take special precaution when leaving the house. Her eyesight wasn't the best either, Though it was much better than the normal person with albinism she still did have trouble seeing at times.

The past two months didn't help her case either, With the recent mutilations of the-

A rock slammed into the side of [F/N]'s head, Making her double over onto the grass. The sound of a couple children cheering rang out from down the hill. She hissed in pain.

"Take that, Demon!" One of the boys said, Having been the one who threw the rock. [F/N] clutched the side of her head where the impact hit. She could feel the early gathering of blood start to stain her pristine kept hair.

"The fuck is wrong with you?!" [F/N] screamed.

Pushing her body back up to look at the group of kids with an absolutely furious expression. The kids stood strong however, Only taking a few meek steps towards her.

"Leave our families alone!" Another one shouted, A girl this time. Her face was angry too, Only as much as a young child's could look. The other kids who weren't involved in the group stopped playing to watch the scene.

The mutilations, Of course. They started around two months ago with the Furukawa family. It was awful, One of their elderly neighbours had picked up a rotten smell and had asked her son to go check on them. Of course they came across both the mother and the father's pieces spread across the Livingroom.

[F/N] was familiar with the two, They had often been one of the more outspoken village people about their dislike of her and a few days before had shoved her aside while she was walking around.

She knew she should of shown some kind of emotion at the news of their slaughter, But to be honest, [F/N] didn't care. If anything, She felt a small tinge of relief.

They weren't there to harass her anymore, Or make off-hand remarks. For that she was glad.

"I never touched your stupid families!" [F/N] yelled back at her. Her deep vermillion eyes were filled with disgust like she was staring down an insect she could crush under the sole of her sandals.

"Liar!" Another one of the kids stepped out from behind the small group. He wasn't one of the bigger ones, He was in fact rather scrawny with unkempt hair. But [F/N] recognised him as the Furukawa's youngest kid.

"M-My parents died because of you.." He muttered, Looking down at his shoes unable to meet [F/N]'s eyes. His hands clenched into a determined fist, His body shook with vigour.

"They were great people! You had no right to take them away from me. Just because the other adults don't see you as the demon you are doesn't mean we don't!" He yelled back at her. The other kids joined in with supportive remarks following his speech.

"One day, When I get older I'll get revenge for them. I'll get re-" A rock slammed straight into his open jaw.

The kid screamed and fell to the floor with a loud thud!

The other kids yelped and backed away from the boy, Who was coughing up teeth and blood. He writhed around on the ground groaning in pain.

[F/N] was standing up now. She had picked up the rock that was thrown at her and flung it right back at the kid. She stood there seething in a fighting stance.

"Demon? I'll show you demon!" [F/N] yelled. She swiftly grabbed another rock and hurled it straight at the girl who chose to speak out, Hitting her straight on the forehead with a sick crunch.

The previously silent kids amplified into an uproar.

Screaming echoed around in the valley as all the kids tried to get away from the ensuing fight. [F/N] kept picking up rocks from the small hill and hurling them at the group. The kids who started the fight tried to haul away the two kids who got the worst of it, Picking them up by the arms trying to drag them away from the attacks.

"DON'T YOU EVER COME NEAR ME AGAIN OR IT'LL BE YOU NEXT! I SWEAR TO THE GODS IT'LL BE YOU!" [F/N] screamed, Her voice hitting high's that could be heard from the village.

The kids had gotten a good distance away from her now but that didn't stop [F/N] from throwing more stones.

"YOU HEAR ME?! DO YOU FUCKING HEAR ME?!" She yelled after them, Raising another rock to throw.

But by the time she had finished they had all scampered away back home.

She was left standing on top of the hill, Under the shade of the big zelkova tree, Looking out over the now empty and desolate field which had such a lively energy before but now was cold and lost.

She was panting, Letting out heavy breaths of air that turned into mist in the cold climate. The rock in her hand she was about to throw lowered, Dropping it to the ground. She exhaled for a final time, Letting all the anger and rage dissolve into mild annoyance she finally relaxed.

"Dumb kids.." She huffed. Shaking her head she leaned down to pick up the thick birch handle of her parasol.

Grabbing it she extended the blue patterned canopy, Making sure it covered her form she dusted herself off. Settling the parasol handle on her shoulder she set off out into the valley, Dreading her walk back home.

☆♡☆

"That was a horrible thing you did"

[F/N]'s mother stood a few feet away from her, Circling around her like a predator yet keeping a good enough distance to test the acidic waters. [F/N] felt her teeth grind against each other and her palms get sweaty.

Of course, The kids from earlier had ran back to her house to snitch on her to her mother. Well, Not the kids but the parents of the girl and the eldest brother of the Furukawa family being rightfully angry.

[F/N] was made aware of this when she came home at the first sign of the sun setting. Her mother was perched on the large porch of their family home waiting for [F/N]'s arrival, From the first time [F/N] spotted her mother she could of mistaken smoke from coming out of her ears.

It was frustrating, While she figured her mother would find out eventually it didn't take anything away from the experience. Though, She supposed she was lucky.

Her father being a noble and very highly profiled swordsman meant he was disciplined, And it also meant he expected that from all his children. Luckily enough though he was out on a very long business trip. If he was here, [F/N] knew that she'd get more than a serious lecture.

"So what? They attacked me first, It's only karma what they got" [F/N] responded, Her voice trying to stay levelled and calm yet shook at the seams. Her mother scoffed at that.

"They're just kids, [F/N]! They don't know any better and you should have taken that into account" Her mother exclaimed incredulously, Taking a few prompted steps up towards her daughter with purpose.

"Well maybe they'd know better if they're parents were still around to teach them better, Not that its my fault like they think though, Right?" [F/N] spat, Her voice venomous and the sheer disregard for the weight of her words went through her mother like a static shock.

"How fucking dare you.." Her mother whispered, Her voice full of disbelief at her daughters words leaving her jaw agape and eyes wide.

"Well I mean, The parents were already shitty people to begin with so I suppose that whoever ripped them apart did the kids a favour-"

SLAP!

[F/N]'s monologue was cut short by the hand connecting hard to the side of her cheek. [F/N] yelped out and stumbled back trying to catch her balance.

The hit had landed roughly at the side leaving only a single burst of a painful red on her monochromatic get-up.

"Your ideology is absolutely disgusting, How bloody dare you speak about the dead like that? You don't have any right to say that about anyone, Young lady!" Her mother yelled at her, Only about a foot away from her face.

[F/N] blinked away the tears from the pain and instantly snapped back.

"I'm saying what nobody else has the guts to! Just because you're all cowards and ignorant bastards doesn't mean you get to take it out on me!" [F/N] screamed back at her mother, Getting up into her face.

"You kee-"

While speaking, Her mothers hand shot out to grab [F/N]'s shoulder but her wrist was snatched by the younger girl, Who held it with an iron grip cutting off the older woman's speech.

"Don't you dare lay another hand on me.." [F/N] hissed. Her face seemed to be etched with a wild kind of rage like a feral dog, The single action of her mother making the anger so clear to anyone who could see.

Her mother, Being a much older woman than her daughter had much more brittle bones. The grip on her wrist being sore and painful on her old skin as she tried to pull away from her daughters grasp.

Realising what she was doing [F/N] let go of her mother, Who staggered a good few feet back from her assailant.

[F/N] mumbled a small yet sour apology and marched off towards the door out of the main Livingroom.

As she opened the sliding door and stepped out she heard her mother call out back to her.

"Y-You go up to your room and stay there, Young lady. Only come down once your ready to apologise!" She heard her mothers weak voice call out to her as she shut the door.

"I know!" [F/N] replied without looking back at her.

The door finally closed to leave her in the dim hallway, The only light shone from behind the Livingroom door leaving the entire hallway almost impossible to see in. [F/N] stood still behind the door, Making no move to head to her room. She looked down at her feet to contemplate her situation.

"Really? Hitting our mother? You've reached a new kind of low, Haven't you [F/N]?" A voice called out a little way down the hall.

[F/N] jerked her head up to the source of the voice and groaned.

Her younger brother, Juro, Stood at the end of the hall seemingly just came down the stairs. His head was held high and the usual smug grin lay planted on his face as always, He had his arms folded across his chest and his entire figure radiated false superiority.

[F/N] was the oldest of the five children her parents had conceived. Juro was the second oldest by only about five years apart in birth. [F/N] supposed that the reason they had such a big gap in age was due to the looming fear of their parents producing another demon child.

Though when they did give birth to Juro and found out he was a regular child compared to their monster of an eldest, [F/N] knew how much he'd be absolutely spoiled rotten, Which matched his personality like a pair of gloves.

It gave him a rather annoying superiority complex, With all the spoiling and being the one destined to become the head of their families clan and wealth you could probably see how it got to his head.

However it didn't stop [F/N] from being distasteful in behaviour towards him, The nasty expression on her face evident of that.

"Oh get off my case, Like you really give a damn." [F/N] scoffed, Straightening out her back to reach her full height.

"Of course I 'give a damn'. It's our mother and one of the figure heads of this clan, You really should be more respectful to your elders. Why mother keeps you around elludes me" Juro replied, Making sure to drawl out every condesending syllable to its full potential.

[F/N] knew exactly why her mother and father kept her around: They couldn't get rid of her. Their original plan was to marry her off, It didn't matter if it was to a nobleman or a commoner to them. The only thing that did was getting her to leave.

Though it imploded on itself when they realised no one would take her, Both her attitude and her looks were a big enough deterrent. Great for her but bad for her parents.

"Ah, Right. Because she shows such an amazing amount of respect towards me, I honestly feel so awful about it" [F/N] gasped, Sarcasm dripped from every word and fell like acid making Juro's eyebrow twitch.

He moved forward a few steps, Sizing her up as he went.

"Well the difference is that mother has a reason to not respect you, I mean come on, It's obvious. Maybe if you do treat her with the right attitude then maybe she might start seeing you in a different way" Juro said the last part as if he was trying to contain laughter, Like he had just heard the most offensive joke in the world he just couldn't laugh at.

[F/N] felt her fists clench and tighten to bare her knuckles.

"But with such sour attitude I do suppose it would be impossible for you, Wouldn't it? Dear sister?" Juro whispered as he got up into her face. Only a couple inches away from her now he carefully eyed her down, Waiting for one single move.

[F/N]'s teeth grinded, Her tightened palms grew sweaty and itched for the offensive attack. She wanted to punch him, She wanted to attack him and wipe that disgusting, Grimy smirk off of his arrogant little face.

However, [F/N] just sighed and let her fist drop loose into straightened palms. She knew what he was doing, She wasn't going to give into his taunt. She's had enough for tonight.

"Back off, Juro." [F/N] simply warned. Turning away from his expression now filled with annoyed disappointment she headed off towards the stairwell at the end off the hallway.

As she got up the steps she heard his smug voice call after her.

"Such a lovely chat with you as always!"

☆♡☆

The sound of childlike laughter resonated throughout the house, Despite the muffled sound of it [F/N] could hear the weight of it even from behind the thick walls of her room.

The pale moonlight of the night had illuminated the unlit room and flooded the area with a subtle glow, The silk blinds danced along with the soft breeze lifting into the room.

Her bedroom was situated at the very top of the large family home, The third floor. The massive house was large and sat at the edge of the village they lived in, Overlooking the entire town yet having enough distance to be considered a private property separate from the other houses.

The house was home to three floors in total. The first was the main area home to the kitchen, Livingroom and general activities such as a drawing room, Dining hall and her fathers very own training room.

The second was housing all of the bedrooms. All of her siblings, Parents and even the guest sleeping quarters were located there. It also even held a small room for their families servants.

And finally, The third was by far the loneliest of the trio.

It was much smaller compared to the other floors and was the newest built. It only housed a single hallway and [F/N]'s own separate bedroom which made up the majority of the floor.

Usually the prospect of having an entire floor to themselves would entice and excite anyone. The privacy and spacious area would seem like a blessing.

And yes, [F/N] agreed. It was a blessing alright. She was granted privacy from the struggle that was her family, It gave her time on her own to be herself.

But she also had to admit: It had it's downsides. Another laugh sounded out from downstairs on the first floor. The movements of the hairbrush on [F/N]'s light locks halted, Just for a moment as she listened to the joyous voice of her youngest sister.

They were having dinner, It seemed. [F/N] didn't apologise and had no intention to, So she was forced to reside in her room.

She continued to comb through her hair, Feeling the tug of the movements as she listened to the laughter down below cease.

[F/N] scoffed at it and tried to take her mind away and focus on the strokes of the brush. Though she couldn't help but trail off to the infuriating scenario happening downstairs.

Since her father was away her mother was probably the one to cook the food tonight, She always did instead of the family servants, Her own personal recipe of a Sukiyaki stew pot that she made to comfort her kids while their dad was away.

Her kids.

A mother is suppose to "love" her kids unconditionally, And in that aspect she certainly did, All except when it came to her. [F/N] knew her mother had tried at least, But it came off in the way you'd treat an unwelcomed guest. Trying to give due respect yet wanting them out of your house as soon as possible.

[F/N] had figured a long time ago that it was better to be treated with ire than pity and had given up all sense of courtesy towards her mother, Continuing to this day.

A faint tug pulled in her chest as another roar of laughter came up from downstairs, They seemed to be having a good time.

[F/N] finally set down her brush onto the vanity. The small sound of the wood hitting the desk seemed so much louder in the large area of her room.

[F/N] supposed she did need to give her mother some credit, She was the one to let her have the single room at the very top of the house (Even if it was to keep her away from the rest of her family)

But the room seemed so.. Empty.

[F/N] stared into the vanity mirror, The light surface of the glass reflecting her own pale visage back at her.

She trailed a hand across her features to examine for any blemishes, Pushing back any stray strands of hair from her face and pulling them behind her ear. Staring deep into the clear colour of her cardinal rose eyes she assessed their problems, And she found none.

When times like these came about [F/N] often pondered about why people didn't like her more. She was beautiful, Stunning, Exotic even to the disgusting drunk men that passed her by on the moonlit walks.

So why even if some drunkards could see her beauty why couldn't the locals and her own family see that too instead of the cursed child from a close-to-god family?

It couldn't be her attitude, That was just a by-product of their own treatment toward her. So why? She was born this way, She couldn't change how she looked, She should of been adored.

Yet all the locals, All of her beloved family, All of the suitors that her parents had tried to ship her off to had only a single look at her before rejecting her whole.

One day, She promised herself. One day she'd get back at them, She didn't know how or when or even if she could but she knew that one day, They would regret treating her like a bug under their foot.

As her mind wandered she started to realise that maybe it wasn't the room that was empty.

A sudden knock echoed out, Crashing [F/N]'s train of thought.

[F/N] jerked her head over to the main door of her room. Getting up from the small pillow she sat on she moved quietly to the entrance. Turning the knob and opening the door she was met face to face with one of her families servants.

"Your mother has requested me to bring you your dinner" The servant said, Robotic and monotone in voice as he presented her a bowl of udon. [F/N] paused at the sight of it.

"..It's not Sukiyaki stew pot.." She mumbled.

"Correct, Ma'am" He replied in short.

[F/N] was silent as she carefully took the small bowl from his hands, She barely noticed the small bow and the closing of the door before it was entirely shut.

[F/N] examined the soggy noodles and small tempura bits in the bowl, A barely generous helping.

She 'tched at the sight but figured she was lucky enough to even get dinner in the first place.

Turning around she walked over to the other set of double doors at the end of the room, Food in one hand she pushed the door open to reveal the small balcony outside. Stepping out into the night's cool air she took a deep breath in.

The laughter was no longer audible once she shut the door, Only replaced by the sound of cicada hums and the clacking of tiles when she clambered up onto the slanted roof of the house.

[F/N] sat down on the tiles and looked out onto the sea of village houses down below, The faint lantern light from the village was warm and inviting in contrast to the inhabitants, Of whom were out doing their nightly patrol's in watch for another mutilation.

However the scene didn't interest her in the slightest, Instead it was the moon which seemed to hang over her entire world.

It glowed brighter than any lantern the village people could spark, Yet the light was never overwhelming or stung her eyes in the slightest. Instead the soft rays of moonlight had only provided comfort.

[F/N] didn't know why it brought such solace, Maybe its because it never burnt her skin like the sun did. The moon replaced it in that way, The night time became her daytime, When she felt most lively: Herself.

She often came up onto the roof to feel that way, Every time without missing a single night she'd climb up onto the roof and speak to the moon for hours like it was an old friend. Or maybe just to stare and admire the pale light of its beauty.

But to be fair, [F/N] never felt much at all.

When she did it was always a constant state of annoyance, Anger or resentment. The feeling the moon brought her was still very unfamiliar to her, But very much welcome. She barely understood anything other than the undying resentment, Maybe it was a sad existence but to be fair she barely understood sadness either.

She realised the udon in her hands was growing cold. Reaching behind her for the pair of chopsticks she noticed something else a little further ahead from them, Lying on the roof.

She raised an eyebrow and squinted her eyes to examine it closer, But they instantly shot out once she realised what it was.

It was a single bouquet of flowers, Red, Beautiful roses sprung from the carefully arranged bunch.

[F/N]'s breath hitched in her throat, Her whole body seemed to clench up at even a small sight of it. A bouquet of roses? Who could of left those here? They couldn't be for her, Could they?

She set down her bowl of udon carefully beside her, Eyeing the bouquet like it was bound to attack her yet it didn't stop her quick crawl over to its side.

Nor did it stop the almost desperate grab she made for the neck of the bunch, Pulling it close to her chest she finally noticed the small tag sticking out from the flowers reading: To [F/N] Shiratori.

She felt the concentrated joy explode inside her like bottle rockets, The absolute euphoria flooded her senses as she felt hot blood rise to her cheeks, Giving colour to them yet said no pain.

The roses were absolutely beautiful, Carefully handpicked as the petals seemed soft and fresh. She grinned wildly, They must of took great thought while preparing it.

She couldn't help but shove her face into the roses to inhale their scent, The sweet yet rich aroma circled in her mind. They truly were the best of the bunch.

But when she pulled away she noticed she had neglected a small envelope from where the bouquet was sitting before, Hiding the envelope below it.

Her lips quirked. First the roses, Now a letter? She giggled slightly, Imagining whoever it was is a real romantic.

Extracting the envelope and gently opening it's folds she pulled the paper from its cover and unfolded it to view the contents.

Dear, [F/N]. My one and only.

Ever since I saw you on this rooftop, I knew you were the most beautiful girl I have ever seen. I hope one day we will get to meet, One day in the near future.

Love, Your admirer.

It was such a simple letter, Only two simple sentences of sweet but common flatter words yet once she had finished the final word the fireworks of a foreign emotion burst inside her.

She knew it was something akin to euphoria, An exhilaration that made her blood rush to her cheeks and heat up her entire system in the cold nights air, Yet no matter how hard she tried she couldn't identify the rhapsody of song inside her.

Though she couldn't deny, It felt good. Better than she's ever felt in a very long time.

[F/N] embraced the letter with her whole body, Curling up around it to try and squeeze out more of the intoxicating feel, An addictive high.

The letter and bouquet, Whoever may have left it there, Wherever they may be, They must really really like her.

☆♡☆

The yelling of her family woke [F/N] from her peaceful slumber.

Her heavy eyelids were wrenched open as she writhed around atop the roof tiles, Bothered by the loud intrusion.

Once she finally let the light hit her pupils she realised her mistake. She was in the light, The sunlight was touching her skin.

[F/N] yelled out and instantly scuffled down off the roof, Swinging open the door she almost lunged into the safety of her house shade as she fell onto the floorboards.

Her skin burned and tinged lightly. Examining her skin she found the beginnings of a mild sunburn on her arms, The red welts fizzling up into her hands all the way to her forearms. Her light kimono doing nothing to shield her from the UV rays.

She had fallen asleep on the roof and had neglected the danger of doing so, In her panic [F/N] chided herself for her stupid mistake.

Yet outside it seemed like it was just the break of dawn, The orange to yellow hues painting the sky signalled the early hours of the morning. She was lucky that the noise woke her up in time, Otherwise her problem would be much worse.

Scrambling over to her vanity mirror to examine the full entirety of her body she gasped on sight as soon as she saw her reflection in the polished glass. Her face.

At least a good third of face was covered in red hot boils and welts, The sore burn crept up from her left cheek over to her chin, Reaching as far as her right side too.

"No.. No, No, No.. Please, No!" She yelled, [F/N]'s eyes almost popped out of her sockets with tears starting to form at the corners. She trailed her equally burnt hands across the scorch marks in disbelief at what she was seeing.

A sudden rapid pounding at her door knocked her out of her stupor.

"[F/N]! Open the door, Now!" It was her mother's voice. The alarm in her voice seemed to resonate in [F/N] to give her a grasp of their unknown situation.

"Jeez.. Hold on!" [F/N] called out towards her door, Yet she saw the handle start to turn. A spike in her adrenaline shot up.

"I'm getting dressed, Damn it!" [F/N] screamed, Her voice as hoarse as a fourty-year chain-smoker. The turning of the knob stopped as soon as she let the words leave her mouth.

"Fine, But make it quick! And make sure to put on something nice." Her mother yelled back at her, A small tint of exasperation lacing her tone yet her footsteps leaving down the hallway sounded determined in their path.

[F/N] cursed. Bullets of sweat rolled down her face and stung the burns where they lay. She had no idea what she was going to do. Rapidly sliding out drawers in her vanity to find anything of use, To no avail.

Next she went to her closet. Swinging the old wooden doors open she shifted through her different coloured kimonos. Pulling through the silk and cotton she found nothing of use except for a thickly woven navy kimono that was oversized and could cover her body nice and neatly.

Despite that there was still the issue of her face, The burn marks were so noticeable you could see them from miles away. There was nothing that could hide her scorches from the sun-

Her hand bumped up against something.

[F/N]'s temple furrowed. Reaching into the back of dark, Spacious cupboard she gripped onto the object she felt was made of straw.

With a tug and a pull she managed to haul out the hefty object, Revealing it to be her old uchikatsugi.

It was a gift from the town's doctor before he passed away from old age a few years ago, [F/N] remembered him fondly even though he was never really around.

He still did greet her with a smile and a handshake every time they met, It wouldn't be wrong to describe him as a father figure either.

Though as always, Good things didn't last. They never did.

[F/N] had no time to dwell on that last thought, Her relief was a much more appealing distraction.

The uchikatsugi, A large straw hat for noblewomen with a large silky veil to cover her face. Back when she got it, It was way too big for her to use with her small body so she stored it in her closet for a later use, [F/N] supposed she just forgot about it.

She sat the large hat down on her head, And with a little shimmying to get it properly down it fit her head like a glove to a hand.

Once she finished changing into her dark cerulean kimono, She was ready to go downstairs and see whatever it was her family was making such a ruckus about.

As she took careful strides down the creaky steps of the stairs she saw her mother impatiently tapping her foot at the bottom. [F/N], Before making herself known, Fixed up her appearance to make sure nothing was showing free.

Once she was pleased, [F/N] cleared her throat to which her mother jerked her head around to her 'daughters' direction.

"Ah, Finally. I was wondering what took you so long." Her mother remarked, Letting her folded arms drop to her sides. [F/N] huffed at the passive aggressive tone yet felt alleviation, Her clothes worked, Her mother couldn't see a thing.

"Had to find a good enough outfit for such an important event, At least from the sounds of it. Why am I up this early anyways?" [F/N] yawned, Still not quite tuned in despite her earlier shock.

"There was another one." Her mother responded quickly, Turning away.

"Another what?" [F/N] queried, Tad annoyed at her mothers elusive behaviour.

"Another mutilation, [F/N]." Her mother exasperated, Swiftly turning back to look at her with an expression that just oozed the word obviously.

[F/N] stopped, Mulling over the information.

"Alright, Okay that's bad but why does this concern me?" She asked after a moment.

Her mother shook her head to her daughters persistence.

"This is a village matter, [F/N]. Something we are apart of" Her mother explained, Treating [F/N] like a curious toddler repeatedly asking why.

"Unfortunately.." [F/N] muttered.

"Just get a move on downstairs now, Swiftly now.." Her mother said, Quickly pulling [F/N]'s shoulder and hushing her down the second set of stairs. [F/N] shrugged of her mothers firm hand, Telling her she'll go down herself.

Settling her hat comfortably onto her head she headed downstairs, Dreading future events.

☆♡☆

The early morning air was cold and fresh as it weaved through the tall houses of the village.

Usually in the mornings with the first break of dawn you could hear the chirping of the crows harking in the early crowds off to work. You could see the townsfolk head to the markets and children run about in the streets, Laughing and roughhousing with each other like siblings together.

But today was different.

The echo of crows on the village walls were silent now. The children who use to run about in the streets buck wild were now pulled close to their parents, A worried smile replacing their usual carefree faces.

[F/N] stood away back from the large crowd gathered in the centre of the village, Everyone from the village was here. The elders, The working class to the babies were summoned together in the village, All quietly chattering amongst themselves.

She observed the crowd in distain, What mundane people leading such plain lives. They They wasted their lives in the sun, Taking the warmth for granted working nine to fives and coming home to their stupid little families, Accomplishing nothing big in their lives yet they boasted of grandeur while she stood standing away from them, Suffering from the pain of her sunburn.

She huffed at the thought.

[F/N] didn't stand with her family, She only watched them as they made their way to the front of the front of the crowd of which immediately quieted down at the sight of them

[F/N]'s father was considered the head of the village and therefore took care of all the important matters.

However since he was absent it was up to her mother to take care of her husbands duties while he was away

"Hello everybody, It's good to see you all out here today." Her mother called out her opening statement. She was backed by the other four of her siblings, Juro standing especially besides her.

Despite her hello's, Nobody answered her.

"I suppose you all know why you were called here, Regarding the death of the Hagihara family." Her mother continued.

Hagihara, That rang a bell in [F/N]'s mind.

Her eyes widened in recognition, The neurons connecting in her mind as the face of the little girl she had hit with a rock entered into her head.

"If you're not already aware of what happened, Early in the morning screams were heard from their family home. On investigation they were found.. Killed inside their Livingroom.. No survivors" Her mother announced.

A few shocked gasps ran from the crowd, The chatter from before sparked up like a lighter on the fuel of information. However their talking was calmed by her mother rather loudly clearing her throat.

"Yes, Yes. I understand this is horrible information, And I know a good lot of you were close with the family and I do offer my sincerest apologies." Her mother said. Her voice filled with a genuine sympathy, Showing it by giving a few select nods towards some of the crowd.

[F/N] didn't listen to her mother however, The information was still fresh in her mind.

This information should have left a lack of feeling in [F/N]'s chest, And regarding the deaths it did.

But the coincidence of it felt like a static shock to a dead heart. First it was the Furukawa's, They were particularly nasty to [F/N]. When they fell victims to the night veiled attacks she had felt glad despite how morbid it was, They weren't there to harass her anymore.

However now it was the Hagihara's, Only yesterday did they get negatively involved with her after the rock incident and now they were dead.

No. No, It was just a coincidence.

Even though they did hold hatred against her so did all of the other villagers. If the mutilations were connected to her then the mutilations would be targeted towards more outspoken villagers, Even if it was because of the rock incident other villagers would of been targeted before her. Her family would be targeted before them.

Even so, She needed to make sure.

[F/N] was barely listening when she quickly took off away from the crowd down an alleyway. Slipping away from the group with ease as their attention was still heavily focused onto her mother, Who was still continuing on with her speech. She couldn't bare to be surrounded by such waste of flesh anymore.

She picked up pace once she realised she was far enough away, Managing to navigated the rock base of the village with proficiency and quickly coming to a stop once she stood in front of the targeted house. Luckily it was located on the other side of the village, She could make as much noise as she needed.

Once she finally stopped she could notice the broken down door almost instantly. The village houses were regularly built together so this was striking to her. The shoji door was splintered into pieces of wood and sheet, Tiny pieces.

[F/N] swallowed a lump in her throat, Realising the weight of what she was doing. But it didn't stop her from taking strides forward, Past the destroyed bits of door and into the house where she saw the real carnage.

The Livingroom was absolutely destroyed.

Walls were shook and large scratch marks decorated them like paintings. Furniture was flung about and lay toppled across the entire main room like a wild beast was let loose, A bear, A rhino. Something of that size could of done this, Yet she could tell it was entirely human design.

The room was completely in the dark, No sunlight shown through which let [F/N] take her uchikatsugi off to get a better look.

Despite all of the wreckage its the fact that the room was coloured head to toe in red, That is what sent a feeling of dread crawl up [F/N]'s back.

The blood was stained on table cloths, Floors, Wooden walls. Anything that could be stained was drenched in the now-dry ichor of red. Thankfully the bodies weren't here anymore, Most likely hauled off to get cremated.

The singe of the scent of blood itched at the tip of [F/N]'s nose as she took a few more cautious steps inside, Carefully avoiding the debris as she finally made her way into the centre of the Livingroom.

The whole place just radiated fear and destruction, So much so that it felt like a cold hand was resting on her shoulder when she looked out at the scene.

Her eyes shot up.

She jerked her whole body around and stumbled back like a shock to her system, She lost her balance and fell backwards.

"Careful there." The smooth voice belonged to a man, Who caught her once she fell backwards.

His strength was commendable as he only laid a single hand on her back to keep her supported.

[F/N] was breathing heavily, Loud gasps of air from the sheer fright the man gave her. He gently lifted her up to her feet, Making sure to steady her.

"I apologise if I gave you a fright there, I do have a habit of being a quiet walker" He explained with a courteous smile.

"Yeah.. You do.." That was all [F/N] could say, Her breath still taken away but not from the fall as she laid her eyes on the mans face.

The man was pale, Deathly pale. While [F/N] was as white as a sheet from her condition it looked like he was sickly and withering, Yet the look seemed to compliment his bone structure. His dark wavy locks shaped his face and came down to his sharp jawline, Perfectly brushed and trimmed.

However it was his eyes that struck [F/N] the most, The same ruby irises that she had harboured stared right back at her. Even through the darkness of the room she could see the vividness of the red through the suffocating black.

"..Are you alright?" He asked. [F/N] didn't even realise she was staring before he snapped her out of it.

"Yes, Yes. I'm fine, Thank you." She said, A hint of practiced resentment laced her voice. A built-up tactic to protect herself. But the suspicion was warrented however, The clean cut black suit vest with golden coloured lacing was clue enough to tell her he wasn't from here.

"What are you doing here?" She asked, Resting her hands onto her hips. Her eyes were locked onto his own, Searching for any sign of deception.

The man simply let out a breath of air.

"I'm here to this village on business reasons, I was just passing through when I saw the door broken down. I'm just here to make sure everything is alright." He explained, A light carefree tone in his voice.

"My name is Tsukihiko, I travelled here from Tokyo" Tsukihiko added after a moment.

[F/N] carefully examined his body language for any sign of him lying, Any twitch of the hand or quirk of the lips but she came up empty handed. She had no reason not to believe him.

"Okay then, Tsukihiko.." She drawled, Still cautious of him "Well since you obviously don't know, There's been a string of murders going on in this village for a long while now. You really shouldn't be in here" She said.

"May I ask why you are here then? No offense, But you don't look like an investigator or any kind of authority, Miss." Tsukihiko said yet his tone sounded near playful if it wasn't for his dignified self.

[F/N] felt her tensed shoulders deflate, He got her there.

"..None of your business" She retorted, But her previous aversion had dissolved into a weak huff. "What's an investigator suppose to look like anyways?" [F/N] mused.

"Usually not like a beautiful noblewoman such as yourself, The one's I've seen tend to be a bit more.. Lacking in that department" Tsukihiko replied, As if what he said held absolutely no weight at all.

But that wasn't true to [F/N], The words held so much weight that it squeezed down at her heart. That same, Unfamiliar euphoric feeling she felt holding the flowers kept rushing out of the compressed heart and filling her system once again.

Did he really see her beauty? Or was it a way to strengthen out a deal with a noble family's daughter? If so then the joke would be on him. But he wasn't that far off from her, They were both pale and shared the same wine-stained eyes. Maybe he did understand her beauty. The mere thought of it seemed to clench her heart tighter.

However, It was stopped by a single missed heartbeat.

The sunburn, She still had the sunburn on her skin. Her uchikatsugi still lain slack in her left hand. [F/N] felt her hands suddenly grow clammy and her lungs take in a sharp breath, A quick spike in adrenaline made her entire body freeze up.

Tsukihiko seemed to notice her realisation, Somehow understanding her sudden panic he gently rested a hand onto the girls cheek.

"I mean my words, I'm not quite fond of the sun either." Tsukihiko said, That deep voice ringing soft in the girls ear.

The hand on her cheek should of been warm, But instead of the expected body heat coming from him there was a cold chill that ran down her from his touch.

It felt nice on her sunburn, It seemed to cool down the itchy feel of heat simmering in her skin and instead made it feel like a early summer breeze. [F/N] in response seemed to soften down and lean into the cold, Only a little bit.

"Seriously? People here seem to enjoy the sun a lot, You disliking it would be a first" [F/N] mumbled absentmindedly, Her gaze trailing off to some unknown point of the room. "How'd you know I didn't like the sun anyways?"

"A good guess, I suppose. You have albinism, Correct? It's only natural to have a resentment towards the sun when it sears your skin, I have a particularly terrible condition myself so I suppose I can empathise" Tsukihiko explained.

His words brought [F/N]'s eyes back to his own, Their shared eyes meeting together. Ones searching for any kind of lie while the others looked back with only the sincerest of truth's, At least from what [F/N] could tell anyways.

She felt a sudden sense of an unrecognisable feeling.

Not like the one she had before when it felt like fireworks, But instead one that felt like a rope was tied between the two. Like a single string had suddenly appeared just from his words, A sudden connection.

Connection? That sounded right, At least she thought so.

"..I see. You don't seem to have albinism, So what's your condition anyways?" [F/N] queried. While the man was pale and had the same red eyes she had, It couldn't of been albinism. His hair was a natural noir and his skin still held a very tiny bit of melanin.

[F/N] saw his lips quirk, It wasn't noticeable, Only a quick twitch before they were back to their usual smile. It almost raised an eyebrow.

"..It's not a specific illness that has been diagnosed however the symptoms do include a rather harsh weakness to sunlight." He said.

Thats strange, [F/N] thought. Tsukihiko was only wearing a suit vest, Black dress slacks and a clean white blouse. He had no form of sun protection like [F/N]'s kimono or uchikatsugi. It was weird, And [F/N] wasn't going to let it go for a second.

"Really? Then how did you get here without something like a parasol, Or any kind of protection?" She asked, Her guard raised up once again in light of the new information.

Tsukihiko's guard followed with [F/N]'s. His shoulders stiffened up and the smile on his face seemed just a tad bit more strained than it did before.

"Well luckily due to-"

"[F/N]!" A sudden scream cut through the start of his words. [F/N] gasped, She recognised the voice of which belonged to her mother.

She cursed under her breath and rushed past the man, Her attention fully diverted from him as she set the uchikatsugi onto her head and went out of the house and into the sun.

[F/N] finally stumbled out onto the rocky street road, Only to see her mother at the end of the road angrily making her way towards her. [F/N] sucked air through her teeth, She was in trouble.

She saw Juro stand behind her, Watching their mother make their way towards [F/N] with the omnipresent smugness drenching his face.

"Told you she was here!" He called out to his mother, But she didn't look back, She was way too focused on her eldest who stood there frozen like a frightened opossum.

The heavy sounds of her mothers sandals against rock and the single strum of a biwa echoed out into the wide walls of the village. Luckily no one else was around, Probably still making their way here from being dispersed only earlier from the town meeting.

"What the hell do you think your doing, Young woman?!" Her mother yelled. Finally closing the distance between the two her mothers hand lunged for her daughters wrist, Yanking her close to her [F/N] let out a curse under her breath.

"What? Can't I check out the crime scene?" [F/N] remarked with a practiced incredulous tone. Ignorant curiosity, It wasn't the reason she came here for but her mother didn't need to know that.

Her mother looked back at her, Incredulous, Just like [F/N]'s voice. However it was mixed with contorted expression of how one might look at spoiled food, Maggots and rodents already festering and all.

"..Do you even listen to what comes out of your mouth? At any point in your life do you even think about what you're about to do?" Her mother said, Only a single pitch away from a whisper.

"Either way it wasn't why I was here, I was talking to that man over there." [F/N] said, Lazily motioning her head under the hat towards the entrance of the house. Her mother quickly strode away from her daughter, But made the move to grab her wrist and drag her along as she went towards the entrance of the house.

"Hey! Hands off me-" [F/N] yelled. Despite her mothers old bones it seemed the sheer anger made her completely apathetic to her age.

"What man? There's no one there." Her mother hissed. Pushing her daughter in front of her to get a better look at the house.

It was true. Apart from the dried carnage and the destroyed insides of the Livingroom there was no sign of life inside. No noise nor presence to be found.

[F/N] felt her heart stop inside her chest, Her breath stifled. That was impossible, The only entrance inside the house was the main door. If he had left through the main door then there would of been no doubt that he would of been spotted.

"Good gods, [F/N].." Her mother groaned, Massaging her temple to soothe her irritation.

"He was here! I swear, I don't know wher-"

"Oh just be quiet, [F/N]!" Her mother exclaimed.

Turning to face her daughter she jumped back in surprise, The look on her mothers worn face was tired and so very angry.

"I'm so done with just letting you run about and do as you please, Someone needs to give you discipline to show you how things work around here" Her mother said lowly.

Yanking [F/N] forward they took off away from the scene. [F/N] couldn't keep up with her fast pace and stumbled around as she was pulled along in her mothers grip.

They passed Juro who didn't even turn his head towards her families squabble, Only side-eyeing [F/N] as they passed.

Juro, That bastard, An Ironic insult but it was the best she could mouth at him as she was dragged by. He was the one who had alerted his mother to her absence, He had to be. Mother wouldn't care if she had wandered off, Juro on the other hand would pick out any opportunity he could to ruin her day.

As she was dragged back to their family home she cursed him out under her breath. [F/N] would've wondered why he was like this to her, But she knew that there was never a reason apart from stigma with a streak of sadism and superiority.

She'd get back at him one day. That, She swore.

☆♡☆

Loud footsteps slammed against the wooden floorboards of the house making louds creaks in their wake.

Opening and slamming the door it shook the frame of her room with the sheer force at which it hit.

As soon as it shut [F/N] pushed herself up against the door and let out a loud cry. The tears she was holding back with a fierce determination now flooded down her face without a hint of resistance.

She slowly slid down the door until it was only her, Sitting on the cold floorboards pressed up against the door, Sobbing her eyes out.

[F/N] didn't know why she was crying, Maybe it was just the broken dam of a slowly rising tide. The house of cards that finally toppled once the slightest of disruptions knocked over its foundation, Causing the entire building to fall down.

What she did know however, Is the words of which her mother had told her.

"Punishment!" "Deserve!" "Finally!"

The words her mother had used when she confiscated her parasols and uchikatsugi swarmed her like a hive of insects. The one thing that protected her from the sun, That let her feel like a normal person even if only for a single minute was taken away by her mother.

She had called it a deserving punishment, Finally giving her daughter the discipline she needed.

What would she even achieve from taking them away? To teach her a lesson, Perhaps. Maybe she had thought it would exorcise the demon that was disguised as her daughter. Even if she did think that before, After seeing the sunburn ingrained onto her skin gave her a good reminder alright.

[F/N]'s breath came out in hitches. Rapid gasps for breaths as she desperately tried to wipe away the unforgiving tears coming out of her eyes. Everyone kept asking what was wrong with her when the only thing she could ask was what was wrong with them.

She didn't choose to be like this. She didn't choose the red bloodshot eyes nor did she choose the bright white of her hair and skin, It didn't mean she was a demon. What was wrong with this world? What did she do to deserve this?

[F/N] lifted her head to wipe away the build up of fluid on her face when she caught the vivid red in the corner of her eye.

It made her breath hitch once more, But not from the pain in her lungs or the sting in her eyes.

[F/N] didn't even bother getting up, Instead favouring to hastily crawl over to her bed. Once she lifted her upper body to see what it was her eyes widened.

It was another bouquet, Just as beautiful as the last. The red petals of rose were fresh and smelt as such, Purifying the air around her and drawing her in with the sweet scent. The colour of the roses seemed to give a hot kick compared to the coldness of her abode.

It was that feeling again. Fireworks. The feeling that brought the warmth back to her, The one she could never describe.

[F/N] took the bouquet into her arms, The softness of both the petals and the trimmed stems caressed her bare skin.

Her lips twitched. The corners of her mouth turning themselves into a new smile, Feeling foreign on her face. There was no letter this time, However that didn't matter.

The bouquet said everything it needed to. She pulled it close as the last of her tears dried, Turning only into small sniffles now and then.

Maybe things weren't so awful after all.

☆♡☆

In the following months, Slowly, A routine started to form.

[F/N] wasn't allowed to go outside of her house, So she had to make do with what she had inside her room.

In the mornings she'd wake up, Make her bed and get ready for the day. Afterwards she would go downstairs to collect her breakfast and make her way back to her room.

Then in the afternoons she'd make herself busy by playing solo games of old sets in her room: Shogi, Menko or Origami, Anything to keep her occupied and keep the boredom at bay.

[F/N] knew if she just apologised and promised to her mother she'd be good she could definetly worm her way out of punishment, However she decided against it. Her pride and dignity was worth baring a stupid little punishment from her mother.

At night she would get her dinner from the kitchens and make her way up to the rooftops again, Speaking to the moon as her only social output as long as you don't count the snide comments from Juro or the single syllable answers from her mother.

For hours she'd just spout out about whatever came to mind. Her day, Frustrations and desires would all be entrusted to the celestial body, A silent promise not to tell between the two.

[F/N] thought it was funny, She'd started to believe the moon could really hear her. It felt like that too sometimes, That someone was really there to listen to her.

And finally, Careful not to make her mistake again she'd close the blinds and make her way to bed. Only to start the cycle all over again the next day.

Though sometimes the cycle would break, Sometimes she would find another bouquet. Lying on the roof or sat tidy on her bed.

Sometimes the person in question would leave a letter too. The sweet words seeming sacred as the flow of the writing went through her, Touching the very core of her heart.

She'd soak up every letter, Every little word she'd mull over for hours at a time letting that feeling coarse through her blood stream. These letters appeared about once a week, Quickly becoming the only thing she had to look forward to.

It was good, It was very good. It hit her one day, Lying in bed while rereading the latest letter for the fifth time.

Was this love?

Maybe. Before the letter had started she had dismissed the concept of it entirely, Love was just a façade. A husband and wife was suppose to love each other yet her mother and father barely spoke when they were around.

A sibling was suppose to love their other siblings unconditionally, But instead hers had shunned her and at best gave backhanded remarks. Sure, Her mother might of loved her kids but even then it was just maternal instinct.

Love was just a construct, That was her belief. It was a way to explain how things worked in a mysterious world, It didn't actually exist. No, It couldn't. At least not for her.

But when she held the soft paper in her hands and finished the last letter of the note it finally clicked, This was love. It had to be.

The undying passion written in the letters proved it, The vowing to love her always said it. It made her blush like an alcoholic intoxicated onto the feeling it gave her.

It was so addicting that she never really took care into asking herself how they got into her room or onto her roof, How they knew exactly what she liked or how she wanted it. That wasn't important.

What was important was who it was. Was it a girl or a boy? How old are they? What do they look like? What's their name? She pondered over this often and to be honest, She couldn't care less about who it was. They loved her, That's all that mattered. It was the spark of light in a dark hopeless void.

Even the rocks thrown through her balcony window, Scribbled in ink with the word "demon" couldn't take her out of her high. Nor the continuing mutilations building up a body count in town could catch her now.

Nowadays the entire family was counting down for the arrival of her father. His business trip had came to an end and now he was making his way home, Due to arrive in a week.

In a weeks time her father would be home, She dreaded the thought. So that's why she had carefully wrote a letter of her own and left it on the rooftop, A common spot for the person in question to leave their letters.

She wrote every letter with passion and folded the envelope with care, Waiting for the response she had went back to bed, Waiting for her admirer to take her away.

"When can I see you? I want to know who you are."

☆♡☆

Her letter had been answered.

The letter she had left on the roof was replaced with a letter of their own. The next day she had found it lying in the same spot, Bouquet of roses and all.

She read the words several times over, Just to make sure she was reading things right.

Midnight, Meet me outside on the pathway to the village. I'll be waiting.

Love, Your admirer.

They wanted to meet her, Her admirer wanted to meet her tonight. As soon as she read the last word she squealed like a little girl on her birthday and spun herself around the room with exhilarant joy.

She stopped dead in her tracks. She needed to get ready. Looking down at her morning kimono she realised she needed to wear her best, She couldn't go out looking like this.

The feeling of wanting to look your best while in front of someone was another new sensation, She'd been having a lot of new sensations lately. All because of her admirer. It was only right to look as good as she could.

She thought back to her experience a few months ago, That man, Tsukihiko. Maybe he was her admirer. The way he looked at her with those matching red eyes just spoke to her, It had to be him. Who else could it be?

Sifting through her closet she finally picked out a rather expensive kimono with a matching yukata. The design's laced onto the fabric were beautiful and made with care, When [F/N] looked at it she knew she had found the perfect one.

But looking in the mirror she knew her hair needed some touching up, Her makeup too.. And her nails and maybe she could find a cute hairpin? Maybe her hair needs touching up again..

By the time she was done it the sun had long set, Replacing the clear blue with a star filled winter night.

[F/N] knew she wasn't allowed out of the house, She knew when she carefully maneuvered her way down the rooftop. It never left her mind even soon as she felt her best sandals hit the ground, But nor did it ever matter to her. She was going to meet her admirer, That was much more important than her mother.

[F/N] moved hastily down the pathway from her house to the village, The letter never specified where about on the pathway they were to meet so she had just decided to walk until something happened.

She slowed down in her tracks to only a leisurely walk. The cold air hit the back of her neck and ran through her hair as she went. [F/N] felt her heart beating like a drum, The rhythm thumping at her ribcage felt like it was going to explode from her chest.

Her leisured stroll came to a stop, By now she could see the village lights and the rest of the stone-lined path. Her eyes followed it all the way back to where she was standing, No one was there. Not Tsukihiko, Not anyone.

[F/N]'s face scrunched up in confusion, She had went the entire pathway and no one was to be found. Could she be late? Looking up at the sky to see the moon dead-centre in the sky that ruled out the possibility entirely.

Then suddenly, She felt a rock hit her back.

The force pushed her over, Collapsing to the ground on her knee's.

The shock struck her like an ice-pick to the back, Causing a cold chill to wash over her. As soon as it hit her thoughts had came to a standstill, Trying to compute what just happened.

A few pairs of footsteps came running out from behind her.

[F/N] looked behind her, Eyes bloodshot and open to their limits as she finally spied the group.

"There! Told you she'd come." Juro laughed to the group of kids behind him, His friends, All carrying pouches of unknown fillings. They all looked down at [F/N], Their expressions all smiling wide and giggling along quietly to Juro.

Another feeling washed over, Anger only an aftertaste to the pain writhing around in her chest. Her arms shook as she tried to gather her Barings, However another quick jolt of pain went to her stomach. One of his friends who she recognised as the Furukawa boy had kicked her, Making her fall down again.

"Demon scum!" He exclaimed as he stepped back towards the group. [F/N] groaned in pain as she wiped away the red specks coming from her mouth.

"What.. What the fuck. The hell.. Are you doing here, Juro" [F/N] hissed, The truth of the situation going straight over her head.

"What? You don't remember? Meet me here at midnight on the pathway to the village!" He teased, The mocking tone in his voice made his group laugh. Juro looked at her straight in the eyes, The sadism shining through the dull overlay.

[F/N] stopped, Going completely still.

No, It couldn't be. Please, For the love of whatever god is up there. It can't be.

"You.. It was you?" She breathed lowly, Disbelieving eyes piercing into his. Pleading with him silently, Subconciously. Juro seemed to toss his head to the side and took a few lazy steps towards her, He had no care in the world as he stood only a foot away from his defeated sister.

"Of course it was me. I knew all about your little rooftop talks, I was the one to leave the bouquets in the first place." He announced it as if it was obvious all along, As if it was nothing but a throwaway joke in a play.

[F/N] felt her heart break.

She felt the culmination of that feeling built up over months, The growing flutter of her heart. The feeling she had even dared to consider love was shattered into a million pieces, Reduced to nothing but ashes.

This wasn't true, How could it be? It couldn't.. [F/N] felt her vision start to go blurry. She opened her dry mouth, She only had one question to ask.

"So.. For months.. You left me flowers.. Letters. All so you could bring me out here..?" She whispered. The blurryness in her eyes gathered and dripped down her face, Cold against her burning face.

"Well I mean, Not at first. In the beginning it was just a way to mess with you, It was funny for me but then.." Juro motioned over to his friends "When I told my friends about it we thought it was an opportunity we couldn't lose, Especially when you left a letter of your own." He finished.

The words devastated [F/N]. The entire world around her seemed so desolate, Like she drowning under the weight of the entire ocean unable to breathe or speak.

She didn't even flinch when Juro and his group raised their hands, The pouches full of unknown contents brought high. And when they threw it, She was glad that her tears blurred their faces.

She curled up into a ball and wished for this nightmare to be over.

☆♡☆

The dragging of slow footsteps echoed lowly in the dark hallway. The passage was dark and near lifeless as most of the house was asleep at this point, Only a few servants lay awake finishing their nightly duties.

[F/N]'s feet barely left the ground as she clutched the hot cup of tea in her hands. In the days that passed it was the only thing she subsided on except from the small bites of food she would eat during the day.

Her eyes seemed low and sunken, Like they were struggling to stay open. Along with her matted hair and chapped lips she appeared dishevelled similar to how an insomniac running on coffee would be, Though at this point that was basically what she became.

Gently pulling open the door to her bedroom [F/N] took a few short steps inside. Once she closed the door she was greeted once again by the emptiness of her room.

She let out a defeated sigh. Trotting over to her bed she set her tea down on the side table, Right before collapsing right onto the bed.

She sunk down into the mattress, Letting the temporary warmth and shelter of the blankets envelop her.

[F/N] was tired, Very tired. Right then and there she wanted to close her eyes and not wake up, Not for a long time. But she knew that no matter how hard she tried she wouldn't be able to sleep, Not as long as her mind was as conflicted as hers.

She turned over onto her back so she could stare up at the ceiling. Before all of this had happened she felt angry or annoyed, Always, There was no in-between. Maybe a splash of surprise here and there but apart from that there was no flux.

After she read the letters her palette had expanded, It felt like she was tasting a new wild variety of flavours for the first time after only eating bread for her entire life. She felt euphoric, She felt love and infatuation. It was good, It was so good.

But now after being hazed with flour and hit with rocks, Humiliated and embarrassed by Juro and his gang she just felt.. Nothing.

She wasn't angry nor was she annoyed, She's tried to feel those things, She tried to feel some sort of rage towards him but after everything she just couldn't.

Juro had even left an extra bouquet for when she got back that night, This one not of roses but instead spider lilies.

The only thing she could do was toss them out from the balcony, The flowers taking all of her anger with it.

[F/N] turned her head over to her balcony. The blinds were shut over the doors yet there was a small opening, A little crack that let moonlight filter through into the room. She could see the moon facing her through the opening, Gathering up what she had left she opened her mouth.

"Is this it..? Is this all there will ever be to my life..?" She whispered, Looking at the moon as her only friend.

She waited. She waited a good few minutes, Waiting for any kind of response from her oldest companion.

Yet nothing came. The moon just looked down on her, Just like they did, Just like they all did.

[F/N] huffed lightly, Turning away from the moon. It was stupid. She grew up to believe that the moon was always there for her, That it would always listen to her. It was her friend.

She knew how stupid that was now. The moon wasn't her friend, It couldn't listen to her. All this time she spoke to an unfeeling object, Something that couldn't understand her or provide any comfort.

"Is this all there will ever be to my life"

Her words rang out in her head. At every turn she was dejected back down into the dirt. While the healthy ran outside to live their life she was stuck at home, Unable to get a job or a husband due to her looks.

She hated them, If she had anything else left to feel it was hatred. They lived their lives free to do anything they wanted yet they wasted it on mundane jobs, Mundane lives while she was left here to fester.

[F/N] closed her eyes. Listening to the servant outside brush the hallways, She tried to use it as white noise. Something to fa-

THUMP!

[F/N] opened her eyes slowly.

The wall to her room that was shared with the hallway suddenly let out a large thump. Coincidentally the sounds of sweeping came to an abrupt stop right before the noise.

Everything was silent now, There was no noise coming from outside nor from [F/N]. Instead she just watched the door, Waiting for the next sign of life.

Another set of footsteps came, Not belonging to the servant before. These ones were heavier, Filled with purpose and stride.

She listened as they reached her door, Coming to a sudden stop in front of it. [F/N] listened half-heartedly along, Waiting for the next sound.

It came. The slow but loud creaking of the door echoed from the walls in her room. She didn't dare to look up into the dark void of the doorway, She knew what was happening. She knew what was going to happen. This was the demon who caused the villages mutilations, There was only one outcome.

The footsteps entered the room. From [F/N]'s limited vision she could only see what looked to be a mans body dressed in a suit jacket and blouse, The left arm stained with a fresh crimson. Her eyes moved up, She couldn't see his face however, The moonlight didn't reveal it.

[F/N] sighed, Maybe out of exhaustion or maybe out of relief.

"So it's you, You're the one whose been doing the mutilations I suppose.. I'm guessing you got to the servant outside right?" She drawled, Letting the syllables play out on her tongue.

The man didn't answer, He only stopped in his tracks. [F/N] could feel his eyes on her, Running over her body, Like a wolf checking to see if the fox could fit in its maws.

[F/N] didn't expect an answer, But she continued anyways.

"You're going to kill me now, Probably even before I've finished my sentence but just.. Just let me make one final request.." A sudden jolt came from inside her like the final remains of lighter fluid sparking out into the raging blizzard.

It felt like vengeance, If she was going down then she knew who was coming with her.

"I don't care if you kill me.. But when you do I want you to take my family too. I don't care how you do it but I want you to make it bloody, I want you to make sure that my father comes home to a slaughter house, I want you to make sure people remember this." She said, The liquid in the lighter drying with her words.

She closed her eyes, Waiting on her bound demise.

This was it. Her body relaxed to take in her final moments. The warmth of the blanket, The coldness of her room, The beating of her heart.

"Who said I would kill you.."

And the feeling of a hand over hers, Gripping it tight.

Her eyes opened wide at the voice, Her irises searched and landed on the mans face now illuminated by the moonlight, It was one she recognised.

"It's you.." [F/N] breathed, She looked over the mans features, Just to make sure.

"Tsukihiko" She whispered. It was him, She saw it now. It was the same suit-jacket, The same styled hair and red eyes. A gentle smile graced his face as he moved even closer than he was currently.

"Even though I may have told you so, Tsukihiko isn't my real name." He corrected. That same deep tone of voice he used all those months ago laced his voice, Resonating deep inside her.

"My name is Muzan Kibutsuji, I am the progenitor of all demons." He declared softly. The hand he had entwined with hers squeezed tighter. His hand wasn't warm, It was in fact cold to the touch but it didn't feel uncomfortable, It was instead akin to shaved ice during a heatwave.

The progenitor of all demons, This was the demon king. It raised more questions than answers but [F/N] could only ask a single one.

"Then, why won't you kill me? Why are you telling me all of this?" She whispered, Looking deep into his eyes for the answer.

He only looked back with the most sincere emotion a being like him could have.

"Because, It seems I've become infatuated with you."

The words left his lips with a finality, As if he was just as bewildered as she was looking into his eyes.

The words pierced her like a spear. [F/N] felt eyes expand and her jaw opening only a little. It was that feeling again, That same feeling, The fireworks.

"..How can I trust your words? How do I know you're not lying to me?" She asked, A small treble in her voice. How could she trust anything he said, Not when she could never trust anything anyone said to her.

"You can't trust me." Muzan finalised, Agreeing with her words. She felt disappointment start to bubble up in her before her spoke one more.

"But when I say that I have became smitten over you from the day I saw you on that roof top, When I say that I became enraptured by your beauty and charm I want you to believe that, My love." He spoke.

[F/N] was speechless, She couldn't believe what she was hearing but by the gods did she want to. Heat rose to her cheeks and she stumbled to get out a single vowel before she was pulled to her feet by Muzan.

"Everything I've been doing these past few months I've done for you, Everything. You are more than a mere human, You're someone I can call my equal" He whispered. And from his suit pocket he pulled out something that gleamed in the moonlight.

It was a ring of silver, A wedding ring. It was beautiful. A sapphire center piece for the gemstone, Crowned by the silver and another dozen gems surrounding it.

[F/N]'s breath hitched at the sight of it.

"You want me… To marry you?" She asked, The words foreign on her tongue. [F/N] still stood in disbelief, Shock, A flurry of new emotions invading her senses that made her need to conceal an excited grin.

"Yes. I see no one else worthy of being called my wife, Only you." He replied. Gentle smile still painted on his face.

The fireworks went off. In that moment, [F/N] knew the answer, One that she couldn't put into words but instead an action.

As soon as the fireworks exploded she took a step forward, Putting her lips on his and bringing Muzan into a deep kiss. Trying her best to make it as passionate as possible with her inexperience.

Muzan didn't resist, But instead seemed to expect it. He put an arm around her waist and took lead, Guiding her along.

As it happened she felt their bodies collide, His arms were wrapped around her body tightly while hers rested on his shoulders in the heat of the moment.

[F/N] barely noticed the ring slip onto her finger, A perfect fit. She could only focus on their lips mingling with each other, His fangs clashing against her bottom lip while she tried to figure out what to do with her tongue.

Muzan's hand slipped down to her neck. A single claw cutting open both his finger and a small part of [F/N]'s neck, Letting his blood mix with hers.

The motion made [F/N] pull away from Muzan, The feeling of her stomach turning interrupting her.

"What the.." She mumbled. [F/N]'s body started to shake, She felt weird. Stumbling back a few feet she was caught by Muzan, Smiling at her with that same gentle look.

He set her down onto her bed, Caressing her cheek with care.

"Rest now, Your transformation should only take a few minutes." Muzan said, Sitting beside her on the bed.

[F/N] nodded, She knew what he meant and she simply didn't care. Only smiling lazily as she let her heart circulate his blood round her system. She felt him close her eyes. And let his blood take her over completely.

☆♡☆

[F/N] followed Muzan down the hallway. Her movements were slow yet jerky at the same time, Like her entire body was numb and barely woken up.

Her mind was hazy, Like a sudden mist started to fall over her mind as soon as she woke up. Her stomach turning had turned into a sudden emptiness, A sudden hunger. She had a craving for something, She didn't know what. However all she knew is that she had to follow Muzan as he helped her down the stairs.

As soon as she reached the bottom of the stairs onto the second floor, Suddenly she caught something sweet in the air, Enticing her on.

Muzan noticed this, An almost amused smile appeared on his face.

"Go on then, I won't stop you." He said, And that was all she needed.

[F/N] took off following the scent almost feverishly, Making her way down the hallways going around turns she finally came across a door.

Her mouth watered. The scent was stronger now, Even more so as she bust open the door.

Juro woke up with a start, The noise of his door slamming open almost off the hinges made him flinch. He got up so he was now sitting on his bed. Maybe another mutilation happened, It was probably his mother informing him so.

But as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes to see his elder sister leaning against the doorway, He knew that wasn't the case.

"What the hell do you want..? You still mad about last week?" He chuckled lightly, The sleep still permeating his voice.

[F/N] stood in the doorway, Not answering. However her breathing was laboured and she stumbled about, Swaying side to side. Her head was lowered to the ground, Eyeing only the floorboards.

"What's wrong with you?" Juro raised an eyebrow at his sisters movements, It was getting annoying. Waking him up in the middle of the night and she wouldn't even tell him why.

But he suddenly froze once she lifted her head.

Her laboured breathing showed off her teeth, Sharper than normal creating new fangs protruding from her mouth. Her pupils had slimmed and turned into something similar to a cat's, And they were eyeing him like a piece of raw meat.

His sweat dropped, This wasn't normal. Slowly getting out of his bed he made sure to never take his eyes off of her, To make sure she didn't pounce.

"Listen.. [F/N]." He started, His voice shaky and carefully planned.

"I-I'm sorry for what I did.. Okay? I-I shouldn't of treated you like that.. It was wrong, I.. I'm so sorry okay?" He started. His entire form shook, His knees threatening to buckle under the weight of the situation.

She took a step forward, Making him flinch.

"I-I'm sorry! Please don-"

[F/N] lunged forward, Her body knocking into his as they fell to the floor with a thump!

Juro screamed, Loud and high pitched to make sure the rest of the house woke up as he felt [F/N]'s teeth lodge into his neck.

With a tug she pulled her mouth back. A chunk of flesh and muscle tore out from his neck, Making a spray of blood coat the room and [F/N] entirely painting her red.

Juro sobbed. His mental state reducing into that of a child's as he felt his sisters teeth tear at his flesh, Only to greedily shove the meat down her gullet, Pleased at the sweet taste she licked her lips to Juro's horror.

She tore into him, Again and again. Juro felt his limbs be pulled from their sockets and the blood burst from his arteries, Popping like candy and spraying all over the room.

He was barely conscious when the cold sweat of death wash over him.

The last thing he saw was the looming figure of his sister. His severed arm in her mouth and covered in red. Smiling at him, Wide and proud.

And the oncoming figures of the rest of his family in the doorway.

☆♡☆

Downstairs Muzan stood idly in the main room.

He waited for her, Listening intently to the noise thrashing around upstairs. He decided it was best to let [F/N] take care of it herself, She was hungry after all and as a new demon she needed her strength.

However, Muzan's attention was drawn to the main door, Which was flung open letting the cold nights air flood inside.

In the doorway was an older man. A katana around his waist and a yukata over his slayer uniform. Muzan felt the grin tug at his lips, This must of been [F/N]'s father, A slayer at that.

"..Who the hell are you and what are you doing in my house?!" He exclaimed, Yet his tone contained exhaustion, Obviously tired from a long travel.

"Who am I? I assumed you slayers would know a king when they saw one." Muzan remarked.

The mans eyes widened. The tiredness in his eyes before was now long gone and by now his sword was drawn, Pointing straight at Muzan.

"You.. Muzan Kibutsuji" He said. Despite his brave front, Muzan could see through it. He was terrified.

"There it is.." Muzan drawled, Now turning his full body over towards him. Her father made no move to attack him, Only keeping his sword at head level waiting for Muzan's next move.

"What.. What have you done with my wife, My children." Her father asked, The thought tearing through his mind, Scared of the possibilities.

Muzan entertained him, The fact that he had the guts to speak out in the first place spoke volumes.

But before he could answer, The sound of creaking steps and dragging thumps sounded out behind them, Interrupting their conversation.

The mans attention flipped over behind him. Alternating between Muzan and the unknown threat they both watched intently as the presence reached the bottom of the steps.

The mans eyes widened.

At the bottom of the stairs stood [F/N], Drenched head to toe in blood smelling of brass and iron.

But what she held in both hands, That's what made her father fall to his knees.

In both of her hands she dragged the mangled corpses of his wife and kids, [F/N]'s new strength granting her the capability to do so.

In her right held his wife, The corpse had several parts missing. Limbs, Flesh and organs all in various states of degradation.

In her left was the corpse of his second eldest. He wasn't even recognisable, Only the yukata being of any hint to his identity.

He fell to his knees, The sight seeming to defeat him entirely.

His nichirin katana fell out of his grasp, Slipping out with ease once he laid his hands on the corpses. [F/N] watched on at the scene, Gazing down at the broken mess of a man.

"What the.. No.. No this couldn't.." He choked out, Tears starting to form in his eyes and flow down his face. His wife and kids dead, He wasn't here to protect them, To do his duties as a demon slayer.

He moved his eyes up to the face of the culprit, Recognising her as his eldest disappointment of a daughter.

"You.. You monster.." He whispered, Piercing gaze going right through her like an icepick to the heart.

But [F/N] felt nothing as she looked at him, The haze from her mind lifted long ago at the first taste of her meal. This man for her entire life had been a overhanging figure, A threat to what would happen to her if she stepped out of line. His words were nothing new to her ears.

"..Do you have nothing else to call me, Or are you done?" [F/N] asked. She felt the rush of superiority come over her, She was the one in charge now. Not him.

Her father swallowed the lump in his throat. He had nothing else to say, Only choked sobs came out of his mouth.

[F/N] dropped the cadavers in her arms in favour of walking up to her father. Slowly stopping in front of him, Looking down at his weakened form.

Muzan stood only a few feet away from him, Watching over the events unfolding. He was amused at it, Watching [F/N]'s every move.

She raised her hand high, Her new claws spiking out of her fingernails ready to strike.

All these years of torment, Dejection and disgust funnelled towards her. The harassment and hate. Everything she had been through came down to this.

"Go on, My love." Muzan's voice called out, [F/N] glanced over to him "Finish this."

Muzan Kibutsuji, Her fiancée, Her stalker. He called out to her with that eternally caring voice, That same gentle smile edging her on to finish the deed.

She looked back at him and smiled.

And with a quick slash it was finished, Her father was no more.

His severed head dropped onto the tatami mat, She watched as it bounced a few times before rolling away.

Muzan appeared behind her, Wrapping his arms around her waist.

"You did such a good job, My love." He stated, Kissing the back of her head as he pulled her closer. [F/N] sunk into his hold, The coldness a comfort to her.

"T-Thanks.." She grinned, Fireworks continuing to go off. More so once he move a hand to her legs, Manoeuvring her so she was now being carried bridal style by her now fiancée, Not caring how much blood stained his blouse.

Muzan leaned down and left a small kiss on her lips, To which she returned.

"Are you ready to go now, My love?" Muzan asked.

"Always." [F/N] responded, Stars in her eyes.

Muzan smiled, Pulling her close. He looked up and with the single strum of a biwa, He disappeared into the night, Taking [F/N] with him.

Never to be seen again.

#yandere x you #yandere #yandere x reader #tw yandere #moodboard #yandere muzan #muzan x y/n #kny muzan #demon slayer muzan #kibutsuji muzan #muzan kibutsuji #upper moons #muzan x reader #muzan x you #demon slayer kimetsu no yaiba #demon slayer x reader #kny x you #kny x reader #kimetsu no yaiba #demon slayer #kny au #demon slayer x you #yandere demon slayer #kny #hashira #demon slayer x y/n #demon slayer x female reader #kny fanfic #demon slayer fics #demon slayer fanfic