A/N: As always, the figure above is NOT the canon appearance! (Unless you want it to be of course!) THE SCARS ARE CANON THOUGH YOU HAVE BEEN THROUGH SOME SHIT!! You're allowed to imagine [Y/n] however you like! This is just who I wanted to draw for the dress I had in mind for this chapter!
Also, I'm not very good at drawing locks, so if there are any tips or tricks you can give me, as an Artist and an Author I'd really like to know! I did the best I could but don't be afraid to educate me if I need improvement!
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You wake up with a start, hearing an angry man in your dream scream at you: YOU'RE LATE FOR TRAININGGGG!!!
"SORRY, KYOJUROOOOO!!!"
"MYAHH????"
Grim, your poor kitty, jumps up at your shouting. Standing on all four legs with his back raised high, he frantically looks around before he realizes it was just you disturbing the peace. He hisses at you while giving you murder mittens.
...
It felt like a couple of grapes.
"What's your problem?!"
"Ah, sorry, Grim. I had a dream about a blonde owl with red eyes yelling at me to-"
"-I don't care! Just don't do that at-" Grim looks around for the dingy ass clock that was in the room, "-Eight in the morning!"
At this information, you jump out of bed. "Holy crap! I'm totally late for training!!"
"Myah?! Wh-Take it easy, [Y/n]!"
Grim scrambles up to his feet, latching onto your arm but it does not stop you from walking to the dresser to get your new work out clothes that Crewel bought you. He clutches on for dear life because Grim also weighs like a couple of grapes.
"Grim, just go back to sleep. I'll wake you up in a few hours for breakfast," You tell him, "I gotta get on that grind, bro."
"Hey, are you even listening to me? You need to take it easy, [Y/n]! Don't forget you broke your bones yesterday!"
You finally pause. "Huh? Yeah, but Crewel healed me, remember?"
The kitty cat pouts, "He also said to take it easy for a few days just to be on the safe side, remember? Come on, you can't be that much of a muscle head that you can't even take one day off!"
You blink.
You blink again.
He's... He's completely right. You never used to be like this. You remember the first time you had put in your own effort to train. You think it was... the first three weeks you arrived in the world of Demon Slayer? (OWMS Chapter 8)
Your friends, Tanjiro, Inosuke, and Zenitsu were teaching you their own sword techniques and trying to expand your lung capacity for whatever forms. At the time, you did best under Zenitsu's guidance, and now you know it's because your own breath style is a derivative of his own. If you can even call it a breathing style, you don't have any special forms like they did, but you adapted Zenitsu's breathing techniques that best suited your body.
Anyway, it was the first three weeks (probably) when you finally started putting in effort to train on your own time when they weren't training you. You even remember the exact thoughts you had that first time.
I had never even made the effort to study for school, or to do my homework. This is so much more taxing than anything else. Yet here I am, in the early 1900's, training myself VOLUNTARILY to learn how to use a breath and to swing a sword.
You shake your head with a soft smile.
That was about a year ago. A year ago... when your life went to absolute fucking shit.
"You're right, Grim. A few days off won't be bad for me," You look down at the dresser, not realizing that you picked up your necklace with the (glowing...?) magestone, "Let's go back to bed and sleep in, yeah? We don't have anything to do until later, so we have time."
"Yes!"
"Yeah, sounds good to me, too."
"Alright!"
"..."
"..."
"..."
"WOAH WHAT THE FUCK?!?!?"
You hug Grim in your titties and grab your nichirin blade at the handle and pull it out from the scabbard where it leaned against the dresser. You point it towards the voice and-
"VENUS?!?!"
"WHAT?!?! DID YOU JUST SAY VENUS?!" Grim's shouting was muffled, "BUT I THOUGHT YOU SAID HE MOVED ON TO THE HEREAFTER!!"
The pretty fox man was just standing there! He had his hands crossed and he shifted his hips so that he's leaning more on one foot. His tail flicks lazily and he looks at you both unimpressed.
"I–never moved on to the hereafter...? Where did you get that idea?" He asks.
He sounds so familiar... The best comparison you can come up with is Kristoff from the movie Frozen. But that was a hard MAYBE because it's been forever since you've seen it and you've heard they made a second one but you were isekai'd before you could see it-
ANYWAY!!
"I-I don't know! I-I thought that... maybe you moved on to the afterlife because when I regained consciousness, I felt you leave my body and I was at peace and shit," You lower your sword slightly because pointing it at people is rude.
Venus chuckles. He walks over to you and Grim, causing you to hug Grim tighter. You don't feel threatened or in danger, but also what the fuck.
"You're right about one thing, I did leave your body, but not because I was going to the great beyond. I... I still haven't completely forgiven you or friends, but that's not the reason why I can't move on, either. I don't know what my last wish is, or what's keeping me here."
Venus smiles more softly and points at your necklace. "I couldn't just stay in your body forever, I'm not that kind of guy. And there was no way I was staying at that house, but my soul had to go somewhere, right? So instead, I guess you can say I'm possessing your magestone. You had it with you that night in your pocket."
You widen your eyes and look down at your necklace. That's why it's glowing? It technically has a user now that can use magic. So it somewhat made sense??
"I originally wanted to possess your bitchin' sword. That thing is cool as fuck, but for some reason I couldn't. I think it's because it's supposed to get rid of all evil, right? I mean, it says "Destroy" right there," Venus shrugs and walks to your bed, "I wasn't a divine fox envoy, I was a demon fox envoy, which was why I was shunned. But I'm not evil. Either way, because of my different constitution for being a demon, I guess your sword will reject me anyway."
Is it really because he's a demon fox that your nichirin blade is repelling against him? It was made to destroy demons, after all. You guess because of Gerik's Tender Love and Care™ as he was making it, it naturally held those kinds of properties...?
"So... what? You're just stuck in my magestone now?" You ask, sheathing your blade,
Venus hums a yes, laying down on your bed and amazing you how the bed actually dips from his weight even though he's a ghost/spirit.
Grim begins to give your chest murder mittens. Whoops, guess you're suffocating him. You let him go and he drops to the floor, panting like he couldn't breathe for the past minute.
"Wha-what... what did he say...?" Grim wheezes.
"Venus possessed my magestone so now he's stuck with me until I can help him fulfill his last wish so he can be at peace and move on to the hereafter. But he doesn't know what he wants his last wish to be because he's very bitter about when he was alive."
"..."
"..."
"..."
"But at least he's very pretty-"
"-I hate it here, I want to transfer to a new dorm."
"Tsk! Grim, don't be like that!"
"What do you mean "don't be like that?!" We don't have room for another ghost to be living with us!"
"You'll be fine! He's just a ghost! What space can he possibly take up?!"
Grim stomps his little foot down: "I'm tired of this (Grandpa) [Y/n]!!"
"Well that's too damn bad!!"
(You keep digging!!)
"What will your fairy say?!"
"Oh, fuck! I forgot about Tink!" You chew at your nails, "Crap, you don't think he's gonna freak out, do you?"
Grim laughs, "That fairy is obsessed with you, of course he's gonna freak out!"
"Oh? You have a little fairy friend?" Venus grins mischievously, "Fairy with mint for garnish is a delicious snack."
"Hey!" You snap and point your finger at the fox, "He's my twink! If you're going to live here, then you better leave him alone."
"Yeah, yeah, whatever," His pink tail curls over his torso, letting him hug it for comfort, "I'm not a cannibal, anyway."
You frown at the ghost while getting closer to the bed, "Okay, how are you even doing that? Like you're actually laying on the bed and it's being weighed down by you. How do you still have physicality?"
He laughs and man, was it lovely. "Dunno, maybe it's because I'm a kitsune."
Grim frowns, "What does that have to do with anything?"
He shrugs, "My kind are just naturally stronger with our magical constitution. My power isn't weaker just because I'm dead, I'm just–not alive."
You roll your eyes, "Okay, well, scooch your cooch. Grim and I are gonna catch some Z's. Actually, since you'll be living here, you should introduce yourself to the other ghosts, Araka, Burkhard, and Cyriaque."
If you were all in an anime, Grim would've shown a sweat drop. "You're getting used to this way too quickly."
"Oh, I already last night when you and Grim passed out! Fun guys, those three! Now..."
Venus grabs your arm and pulls you forward. You yelp as you fall forward, barely catching yourself from falling on the ghost completely. Grim jumps up on the bed, eyeing Venus with distrust and staying near you.
It's so strange: you can touch Venus just fine, and his body is completely solid. The only thing that gave away that he was dead was the lack of heartbeat, you can't feel his pulse when you subtly grabbed his wrist to push yourself off him, and the fact he was ice cold.
You raise an eyebrow at him while he only grins. His shoulders and chest were moving to mimic breathing, but you felt no breath escaping him as he does it.
You shake your head and move so that you're lying next to him: "You're a weird guy, you know that Venus?"
"I may have been told that once or twice," He grins, reaching over you to pull Grim closer, "I'll wake you guys up in a few hours. You said you have somewhere to be, right?"
"Mhm, I gotta play princess with some pretty boys, but before that, I'm going to the plaza to buy a Batman watch."
"..." He furrows his thin, neat brows, "Batman?"
"..."
"..."
"..."
"Goodnight, Venus."
"Ha-ha! Goodnight, [Y/n] and Grim."
————
You frown at your reflection in the mirror.
You're holding up a red, knee-high dress over your body, trying to see if you'd want to wear it. Crewel has incredible fashion, you couldn't deny it and you're grateful that he helped out choosing so many pretty outfits.
You're not too bothered about your body. No matter what you looked like, you loved yourself regardless and your body loved you back. It's the only thing keeping you alive, and it's the one thing you will be stuck with for the rest of your life. You figured there was no use in hating what was yours; you might as well love yourself and your body.
The thing that was making you insecure was...
It was your scars.
Fuck, you're just covered in scars. Scars that were small, scars that were big, scars that healed so ugly, and scars that are STILL healing.
You really wanted to wear something a little more feminine than what you usually go for, but your scars... Everyone will see them. God, and the side of your left leg is a slightly different tone because of the Upper Moon demon, Gyokko. Shit, and the scars from your bullet injuries are visible. And that nasty wound Muzan gave you-
You roughly shake your head with a sharp sigh. No, fuck it. You're going to wear what you want to. They're just scars. They're part of who you are now, they're proof of your hardships, and proof of your survival.
You look down at the sink; the concealer you bought in secret was just sitting there almost mockingly.
————
Venus grins lazily when you come down to the lounge, his ears perk up in your direction.
"Hey, hey! Look at you! If I didn't know better, I'd think you're going out on a date."
You smile bashfully, "Well, I am going with my boyfriend and our friend, Ace. But I didn't dress up for anyone, I dressed up for myself."
The fox clutches the fabric over his chest, "Wow! You just magically became so much prettier because of that!"
You roll your eyes, but your own smile grows against your will. Grim was smiling too, though he wasn't saying anything, the tip of his tail was flicking side to side.
"Are you ready, Grim?"
"Yeah! Let's get going!" Grim hops off the couch and catches up to you, "We're meeting up with them at their dorm, right?"
"Yep y-ow!"
Grim, in his hurry to catch up to you, accidentally scratches your leg. He backs away with wide eyes.
"I-I didn't mean to!!"
"Oh, it's okay, Grim! It doesn't actually hurt, I just said that out of reflex," You lean over to check the scratch, "'Tis nothing but a scratch, babes. I'll be alright. We're seriously cutting your nails though, you might accidentally cut yourself, too."
Grim nods solemnly, holding his fluffy paws to his chest.
You smile, "Hey, it's okay Grim, it was just an accident! Let me go clean this up real quick and we can head out."
"No, no, no. Stay right where you are," Venus appears right behind you, a cheeky smile on his face, "I'll heal you right up, my love."
You blink in surprise, "You can heal. I didn't think you'd be able to do, like, "good things" because you're a demon."
"The only difference between a demon and a divine kitsune is our constitution, nothing more," Venus hovers his index finger over Grim's little evidence of love, "Well, I suppose it also determines our fate, but it's not set in stone. Healing itself is such an easy feat. Honestly, sometimes I heal myself or others without realizing it."
It stings just a little bit, but along with the blood, the wound is gone in an instant. You grin, offering your thanks to the fox but it appears your show of gratitude was the wrong idea.
Because Venus presses up behind you and takes your hand, the other goes around your waist.
"Aw, is a thanks all I get? How 'bout a kiss instead?"
"Ugh."
...
Eh?
Shocked at your response, Venus stares at you with confusion. This gives you enough wiggle room to remove yourself from him. Grim starts to laugh at this man's lack of rizz, and to top it all off, you dust off your shoulders with a roll of your eyes.
"Very funny, Venus. Anyway, we'll be back later so try not to burn the place down, okay?"
If Venus' blush could show, he'd definitely be red. He fumbles over his words, trying to recover from the embarrassment.
"W-Wait, you're leaving your magestone here?"
"Well yeah, I can't have a ghost just walking around with me. People will think I'm haunted and you'll scare off all the hoes," You laugh, making your way to the front door with Grim.
Venus sulks and chases after you, "Bu-But you have me! I-I'm attractive and-and-"
"-And super, super dead," You shrug, "Bye Venus!"
You shut the door behind yourself, ruining that poor man's entire career.
Truth be told, Venus isn't as confident as he'd like to come off as. And if you did return his advances, he probably wouldn't be able to handle it. The man has absolutely no game whatsoever. He signs in defeat, hanging his head low.
"Hee hee hee! No luck in love, huh?"
Venus sulks his shoulders further in embarrassment. Great, this is exactly what he needed: to get teased.
"I wouldn't go after her if I were you, she seems like a lot of woman." Burkhard comments after Cyriaque.
Akara laughs, "Yeah! Too much for a wimp like you!"
"Who are you calling a wimp?!" He bares his teeth at the other three ghosts, "Don't forget who I am; I'll exorcise you on the spot!"
"Ouch, that's harsh! One evil spirit banishing another!"
The ghosts don't actually seem all that bothered by his words, though. Probably because they know Venus is too nice to actually do something like that. And thus for the next hour or so, Venus was subjected to ghost bullying. Mainly just the three calling him a wimp.
He couldn't even argue back because it was 100% true.