Reincarnation

› twenty-three: sashes.

❝every step she took created a wildfire,

the only way she knew how to put it out

was to fill the clouds with blood,

and make it rain.❞

— black skies only know how to bleed // k.s. (via worthygamora)

———

The sash.

Like a snake, it slithers towards Hinatsuru—ready to wrap around her and squeeze her, to kill her.

Its too slow, though.

With a wave of your arm, a row of shuriken come out of your sleeve and spin toward the sash, pinning it to the wall; crimson dripping from the sash.

You let out a breath.

It won’t hurt her anymore.

“Tengen-sama…(Name)…” Hinatsuru croaks out, voice barely above a whisper as she opens her eyes at the sound of the shuriken hitting against the wall, attempting to lift up her head.

“Hinatsuru…” Uzui muttered softly, eyes softening and brows furrowing slightly at the sight of his wife so sickly. You can see concern and worry inside of the fuchsia.

He brings her to his chest, kneeling and lays her down on his legs comfortably, using one hand to keep her head up and the other holding the antidote you had given him earlier.

You turn your head to the sash pinned against the wall, eyes narrowing. You watch as the blood slowly drips from the obi, forming small puddles on the wood floor.

“Warabihime gave this to you, didn’t she? To spy on you and kill you.” You spoke up after a moment, crossing your arms.

Hinatsuru nods weakly. “Yes. I figured out she was a demon, but I couldn’t make any moves and had to contact Tengen-sama, so I drank poison to get out of the brothel. I suppose she was very suspicious of me, and gave me that sash before I left.”

You hum in response. How disgusting. Then again, you didn’t expect any less from a lowly demon. Especially if said demon is suspected to be an Upper Moon—they are one for a reason, after all.

“You two…please, don’t mind me. Tengen-sama, you probably heard the sound a while ago. The demon is on a rampage.”

Uzui studied her for a moment. “You sure you’re okay?”

Hinatsuru nodded weakly. “Yes. I’m sorry for not being very useful…”

“No, Hinatsuru-san,” you shook your head, crouching next to her. “You helped us so much. Especially with narrowing down the demon, Warabihime. Please, rest before you go.”

“(Name)’s right. And once the antidote takes effect, please get out of Yoshiwara.”

Uzui wraps his arms around her, placing his cheek on her head. She squeezes her eyes shut, a single tear rolling down her cheek.

“Okay...” She muttered softly, sighing.

Uzui carefully lays her on the futon, brushing a strand of hair out of her face before he turned towards you. “Let’s go, (Name).”

Without any more words exchanged, the two of you head out of the window, running along the rooftops of brothels and shops alike.

Come on. You gotta sense them. Upper Moons have a deeper bloodlust than most.