"You know... I kind of envy you indeed," and she stopped, turning to look. Her eyes widened when she realized she could see, the man before her. Her lips parted, unsure of what she should say for the man before her, was unknown to her.
Till she noticed in his lime-green eyes, where the symbol was present. She remained silent, knowing that the man before her was a demon. And till she took a sniff, she could only wonder why such a dream was so real.
It was as if the Upper Moon Six was standing before her, in the flesh.
She watched as he chuckled slightly, rubbing the back of his neck. Till she noticed a young girl next to him, did she realize who it was. Till arms were wrapped around her waist as the girl who was known as Ume started to sob.
"She was persistent on seeing you before we leave," Gyutaro explained, and somehow she couldn't help but feel her heart ached. The only time she could see was within her dreams, but of all the dreams she had till now...
It was filled with nothing but sadness instead.
"Can I please call you nee-chan?" Ume asked, to which [name] hesitantly nodded her head. Unsure if she should be giving an answer in the first place, for she knew the duo before she had already left the world.
"Thank you for the flower," and she continued to listen, to the words they spilt. How Gyutaro was hesitant in talking about what he was thankful for, but he had to be. For Ume managed to feel that tiny spark of an older sister's love even though it was for a short span of time.
"We'll see you again. I know it's odd coming from me, but take care of yourself. Kokushibo wouldn't risk letting you leave this world till old age,"
A/N: People who were born blind have no understanding of how to see in their waking lives, so they can't see in their dreams. But most blind people lose their sight later in life and can dream visually.
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"The dimensional infinity fortress... If I got summoned here, then that means... An Upper Moon was killed by the demon slayers," Akaza thought to himself and listened to the sudden strumming of the biwa made by Nakime.
"Hyo! Well, well, Akaza-sama! Dear me, you seem to be looking swell. How have you been after ninety years? The mere possibility of you dying made my heart leap with jo- made my heart cringe with pain, hyo hyo!" Gyokko spoke out, and Akaza couldn't be bothered with the words spoken.
"This is quite terrifying. Gyokko has forgotten how to count during our long absence. We haven't been called here for a hundred and thirteen years. An indivisible number... An unlucky number... An odd number! Terrifying indeed..." Hantengu whispered out.
"Biwa woman. Has Muzan-sama arrived yet?" Akaza asked, not interested in listening to the words of the other Upper Moons.
"He has not arrived yet,"
"Then where's Upper Moon One? There's no way he'd get killed," Akaza added on and soon mentally cursed as he felt a familiar presence he had hated.
"Hold up, hold up! Hold on a minute, Akaza-dono! Aren't you gonna show some concern for me? I was super worried about you guys! You're my precious buddies. I don't want aaaanyone here to wane out now," Doma spoke out, a smirk on his face as he looked towards the corner.
"What is she... Doing here..." Akaza asked, but Doma couldn't help but grin. After all, he was just listening to the order of their demon lord.
"Hyo! Douma-dono..."
"Hey hey, long time no see, Gyokko. Is that a new pot? It's pretty. The pot you gave me is in my room. I planted a girl's severed head in it for decoration," Doma spoke out.
"You can't grow severed heads... But I like the idea,"
"I know. You should come and visit next time!"
"Move it,"
"Hm?"
"Move your arm," and the sound of blood splattering was heard as Akaza had punched Doma's lower part of the face without batting an eye.
"Whoaa. Hmmm, nice punch there! Did you get a little stronger since we last met, Akaza-dono?" he asked, but Akaza lets out a sigh, getting irritated by the presence of the Upper Moon Two.
"Upper Moon One was the first to arrive. He has been here this whole time," Nakime explained and Akaza frowned, wondering why the Upper Moon One was far away from the mortal who was silently sitting at the corner.
"I... Am here... Muzan-sama... Has arrived..." but one could tell the way the Upper Moon One's hands were trembling slightly as he hesitantly turned towards where [name] was, sat by the corner of the platform where if one wrong move, she might fall to her death.
"Gyutaro is dead. The Upper Moons have waned," those words he spoke off, made [name] tensed up. Remembering that she had no choice but to follow if she valued her life along with Kokushibo's.
And remembering the features of Gyutaro and Daki, made her feel a little lonely without them. Despite not spending much time with them, she had to admit she enjoyed the little trip she had with the siblings.
"The poor little lamb is afraid," Doma pointed out as she flinched upon someone touching her, an unfamiliar scent as Hantengu had done so. Tugging onto her leg where she tried to crawl away, body trembling.
"Leave the human alone, Hantengu," Muzan spoke out and Hantengu quickly scurried away, afraid of the wrath of the demon lord. How Muzan's eyes were upon Kokushibo who was trying to remain calm in the situation.
But he couldn't. [name]'s life was at the hands of the demon lord, and if the Upper Moon One retaliates, she would be gone from this world.
.
.
His body tensed up as his eyes shot open. The way he could feel the demon lord's presence within the estate, causing him to quickly get up and look around. Where he found him, sitting by the table where [name] and he would often hang about with tea and snacks.
And that's when he noticed, a pot of tea and a cup was placed before the demon lord. Who was busy taking a sip as he read a book he had found within the estate. The Upper Moon One swallowed the lump in his throat, not daring to move. His nose twitched slightly, wondering where [name] had disappeared to.
"If I don't serve you, you will end up killing me. That's what you said to me before the meeting," he heard her voice and watched as she walked out of the kitchen, holding onto a tray that seems to be filled with various snacks that would go well with tea.
"A smart girl indeed. Understandable that Kokushibo has decided to take a liking to you. I'm sure you understand your position after listening in on the meeting I had with the Upper Moons," Muzan spoke out, turning to look at Kokushibo who was dumbfounded at the scene before him. Unsure of how to react, whether he was dreaming or not.
Till he did the unimaginable thing of smacking himself harshly on the face, where his eyes widened as he realized it wasn't a dream at all.
"But, don't demons get ill if they consume too much human food?" she asked, placing the plates before the demon lord, ignoring the back part of the sentence he had spoken. Though if one looked closely, her shoulders were trembling slightly.
Afraid if one wrong movement, her life would end.
"My, [name]-chan! You are absolutely caring for us despite us being demons," and Kokushibo soon realized what was going on. His hands trembled slightly when he noticed the smirk appearing not only on the Upper Moon Two's face but the demon lord's as well.
"Tch..." and that alone caused Kokushibo to quickly turn to look, noticing how Akaza was by the other corner of the room, with a cup of tea on the tatami flooring. His arms crossed against his chest as he continued to eye the Upper Moon Two with a wary gaze.
Ready to attack if he does something despicable.
But little did he know, that [name] had no choice but to serve not for her sake but for his as well. If she didn't, her life would be at stake. And not only hers, but his as well. For the demon lord has spoken of a threat to her, where if she doesn't listen and goes against them, Kokushibo's life will be ended within a second.
She doesn't want that to happen.
But as Kokushibo continued to look at Akaza, he wondered. What if she was to hear about how this very demon before him, nearly ended her brother's life? How would she react? And does Akaza know that the Shadow Hashira was well alive?
"What are you going to do with that knife? Gouge my eyeballs out? You can't see, what a pity," and Kokushibo turned to look as Akaza got up, making his way towards where Doma was. The way Doma had cornered [name] while she held a knife in her hands, where it trembled.
"That's enough, Doma," and Doma had a slight pout on his face as he turned, quickly avoiding the punch that Akaza had thrown after Muzan had spoken. The way [name] could sense an attack coming towards her, causing her to squat down quickly, crawling away.
"[name]..." and she was picked up by the familiar warmth and scent she relied on now. Clutching onto his clothes tightly, did Kokushibo shot a deadly look towards the other Upper Moon who was present.
Wondering why were they here in the first place, but it seems it was because of the orders of the demon lord. It was as if Kibutsuji Muzan was giving some sort of a warning to him, where now the mortal knew she was in danger.
"It is time for us to leave. Kokushibo, I would assure her safety from other demons as well, if you continue to work towards the goal that was set before meeting this mortal," Muzan spoke out, where he soon left.
"Mou, he just left us just like this," Doma spoke out, but noticed the way Kokushibo was staring at him and Akaza as if giving them some sort of a warning for them to get out before he decides to go in for the kill.
Akaza hesitantly nodded his head, leaving quickly. But Doma decided to remain as he found joy in watching the glare etched onto the Upper Moon One's face. Where he watched as [name] struggled against his hold, heading back into the kitchen.
"Leave,"
"I don't want to!" boy, was he acting like a kid and Kokushibo decided to ignore him as he turned to walk into the kitchen. He was rather surprised as well, for the meeting with the Upper Moons ended just the night before, where he and [name] returned to have a good rest.
Only to be greeted by such a sight, and the sun was out shining brightly. Causing the Upper Moon One to wonder, why would the demon lord risk coming to a mortal's house. Till he realized how Doma was fixed on staying.
As if to keep an eye on him.
"What... Are you... Doing..." Kokushibo asked, grabbing hold of the knife from [name], who was about to attempt in preparing what seems to be a feast. The way she forgot about Doma's existence made him chuckle slightly as she started to explain what was going on.
"Oooo, I know about this! My cult always spoke about the feast they would prepare for the birthdays! It must be your birthday, right? So, what is your wish? I'-," and Kokushibo placed his hand upon Doma's face before harshly shoving him away.
In times like this, he wishes Akaza would be around.
And it was as if his wish was heard as Akaza returned, or rather was forced to return. For he and Doma were given orders by the demon lord himself, and he hesitantly followed.
"You... Stopped burning... The..."
"The Wisteria incense?" she asked as she tried to source for the knife, whereas Kokushibo continued to bring it out of her reach instead.
"I stopped burning them because even the faintest lingering scent of it causes you to have a little bit of difficulty in breathing," she added on and frowned, reaching out once more but ended up the table before her, collapsed.
"..." all three demons looked at what happened and [name]'s lips parted slightly, forming an 'o' as she was unsure of what she should be saying. Till she calmed down for a good minute, where she turned and reached out for Kokushibo's arm, pinching it harshly.
"I told you to stop using that weapon in the house!" where he had attempted in helping her with preparing the food for her birthday celebration, but it resulted in him getting an earful instead.
And Akaza hated to admit it, but it was indeed enjoyable to watch as Kokushibo knelt before the woman in the kitchen, his hands resting on his lap with his head lowered. Whereas Doma, decided to join in as well, finding it fun to provoke his comrades.
"I... Will... Celebrate your birthday... Every... Year..." he spoke out and [name] lets out a huff instead, crossing her arms against her chest.
"That's a promise you better be fulfilling!" oh how intrigued the demons were, for the mortal was only afraid of the demon lord and not them. For she dared to speak about how if they intended to stay in the house, they should at least shower.
Especially Akaza.
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"?!" and Haizaki quickly turned as he started to run away, with Sabito who was already caught by his swordsmith, getting shaken by the shoulders harshly and a few harsh slaps on the back as well.
Whereas Haizaki realized that he wasn't getting out of this one anytime soon, for his swordsmith was Haganezuka Hotaru, and the way he was chasing after him with a knife in his hand, was sending chills down the Shadow Hashira's spine.
"Get down here, you brat!" and Haizaki quickly shook his head in response as he was up in the tree, squatting on one of the branches as a hand held onto the trunk tightly, afraid he might slip and fall, which was what Hotaru wanted.
"You are not the only one I have to deal with! That fucking Kamado kid broke my sword again!" Hotaru snapped, angry but soon lets out a sigh. Shaking his head in response but soon took notice of the form Hotaru had.
"Oh? Did someone comment on your skills or something, Haganezuka-san? You seem to have buffed up quite a bit since I laaaaaaaaaaast..." and Hotaru had grabbed hold of a rope, throwing it right at Haizaki and ensured it wrapped around the Shadow Hashira's body.
Tugging him down harshly, did he met the ground with a loud thud. He winced in pain and soon felt a jab against his forehead, where he could only remain silent as he stared at the mask before him.
"Saw you..."
"HOW DARE YOU BREAK THE BLADE I PAINSTAKINGLY FORGED FOR YOU?! YOU DON'T DESERVE ANOTHER ONE, GET OUT! GET OUT! GO AND DIE OUT THERE ON THE BATTLEFIELD!" Hotaru yelled out but soon Haizaki chuckled instead, where Hotaru huffed in response.
"You wouldn't bear to see me dead, Haganezuka-san. After all, I did buy for you dangos too," Haizaki spoke out as he gestured towards Sabito, who seems to be beaten up pretty badly as he held onto the bag filled with dangos.
"At least you have the fucking decency in getting me something," Hotaru muttered out as he snatched the bag out of Sabito's hand and gestured for Haizaki to follow closely. To which he followed obediently, hoping that it would help him in getting a new blade.
"What's going on, are you going to lock me in the house and murder me without anybody knowing?!" Haizaki gasped out but felt himself getting hit harshly on the back of the head, where Hotaru pointed towards the table.
"Isn't today the day?" Hotaru muttered out, and Haizaki chuckled. Nodding his head as a bitter smile appeared on his face. He looked at the spread of food displayed before him, where even the traditional soup that their mother always made for their birthdays was present.
Without fail whenever Hotaru visited Haizaki to check on his blade, it often coincided with the day or week where his younger sister's birthday would occur. And he noticed the mood the Shadow Hashira would be in and he couldn't help but be a little more lenient with him.
"Every year, without fail. Thank you, Haganezuka-san. For preparing this when you knew I didn't have the time to do so," Haizaki whispered out and Hotaru lets out a sigh, watching as Haizaki got on his knees before the feast.
Where he started to light the candles upon the cake, and Hotaru joined him by the side. Removing his mask and placing it at the side, did he ruffle Haizaki on the head.
"Remember the promise, brat. Once you find her, you are going to let me see her," Hotaru spoke out, and Haizaki chuckled, nodding his head in response.
"Of course. I promised to bring her to see the very strict fatherly figure who lives in the depths of the swordsmith village,"
"Keep up that attitude and no nichirin blade for you," and the duo remained in silent despite knowing well that Sabito had arrived, kneeling behind them. Where he knew of the times where Haizaki would hole up in the estate he stayed in, celebrating his sister's birthday alone.
"Happy birthday [name],"
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To be continued...