FULL STORY SUMMARY

Rated M for mature. Reader discretion advised.

After the death of her mother, young Himari and her father becomes part of an unscrupulous clan; the Kato family. Himari is subjected to continuous abuse by the family but all that changes when she falls in love with The Progenitor of Demons, Kibutsuji Muzan.

AUTHOR'S NOTES

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CHAPTER VOCABULARY

* kekkijutsu: (Demon Blood Art) spells or techniques that higher-level Demons can cast.

MEDIA DICTIONARY

* Thoughts

* "Dialogue."

* 'Telepathic dialogue.'

* "Past conversation."

* {Sound}

* [Movement]

TIMESKIP: THREE MONTHS

HIMARI

It had been almost three months since Himari was recruited into the Thirteen Kizuki. She went through vigorous training to build her strength.

Although the girl's physical abilities were superb, she had trouble discovering her kekkijutsu.

"Close your eyes and go into a meditative state," Kokushibou said.

Himari obeyed. The two demons were in one of Muzan's simulations that looked like a large obstacle course within a forest.

"Elude all thoughts and only hear my voice. Concentrate on your breathing."

Himari submerged herself within the depths of her subconscious and only focused on Kokushibou's voice.

"Now, search within yourself for your inner power."

In the darkness of her subconscious, she saw a small speck of light floating. Himari gravitated towards it in hopes of touching it but a barrier blocked her from doing so.

Then she jolted out of her subconscious. "I almost had it!"

"All is well, you've improved. You must rest," Kokushibou said as he left, leaving Himari alone.

The pink-eyed demon stood in the field of grass and felt a cool breeze on her skin. With an exasperated sigh, Himari left the training simulation.

MUZAN

Muzan watched as Himari pitifully left the training simulation. The Demon Lord hadn't spoken to her since she was initiated, because he thought that she would fare better without any distractions.

She still hasn't discovered her kekkijutsu... I need to figure out what's preventing her from doing so.

Himari had been training for almost three months of training and Muzan was growing impatient.

Enraged, he summoned Kokushibou to his quarters. The six eyed samurai appeared and bowed before him.

"Upper Moon One."

"Yes, My Lord?"

"Why hasn't she discovered her kekkijutsu yet? I trusted that you would be able to help her but there has yet to be any progression!"

"I apologize for the inconvenience, Master. Today, she saw her power but there's a barrier."

"Kokushibou, all I hear are needless excuses! Was it an oversight by choosing you to train her? Are you not up to par, hm?" he growled.

Stoically, Kokushibou stood as his heart twinged because of Muzan's disappointment.

"You are without error, My Lord. I assure you that I am the proper instructor for her."

Sighing, Muzan said, "I'll give you a week to fulfill this endeavor. If there's no success, I'll choose Douma to train her."

The six-eyed demon did a poised bow then left the chamber.

Now alone, Muzan let out an exasperated sigh.

Why is this taking so long? Did I let my infatuation for the girl cloud my judgment? No, such nonsense! I'm incapable of doing such a foolish misinterpretation! She has to be the one.

LOCATION: AFTERLIFE

HAKUJAKU

After Hakujaku had died, his soul went to Heaven. His version of Heaven was living peacefully with his one true love, Luna. In death, the couple were reunited at last.

Hakujaku sat at an outdoor table of his favorite bistro, reading the Daily Japan. He took sips of his favorite coffee blend, vanilla hazelnut. As he relaxed, a tall woman arrived to his table with a plate of milk bread.

"Are you hungry?" she asked him.

"I could eat something light," Hakujaku said as he took a slice from the platter.

The woman beamed and sat in the chair across from him. "So, have you checked on Himari lately?"

Hakujaku stopped chewing and lifted his head from the newspaper.

"Uh… no. I haven't, Luna." He looked down, feeling ashamed.

"And why is that, Hakujaku?"

"Because… I'm afraid to."

"Why are you afraid to see your daughter? The last thing you should be doing avoiding is her," Luna said.

"I know, Luna. But in all honesty…" he paused, "I am afraid of what I might see."

Nodding, Luna sighed and spoke after a few moments. "Himari may be a demon right now, but we have to believe that she'll find her way. The creature that binds her may be powerful, but our daughter's willpower and strength triumphs all! We must support her, Hakujaku."

Hakujaku nodded as he contemplated his wife's words.

Luna is right; Himari can overcome this! She might be an oni, but her heart is still the same.

LOCATION: AFTERLIFE

SOAKU

Soaku stood in a deep, black fog, immersed in pitch-black nothing. She frantically looked around and tried to figure out where she was.

What's going on and where the hell am I?

As she tried to breathe, a searing pain in her throat prevented her. Feeling her throat closing, she fell and choked. Soaku frantically writhed in agony on the floor.

I'm being choked! I can't breathe—

Her neck cracked under the pressure.

{Crack.}

Then everything went black.

Soaku awakened in the same black fog. Suddenly, she heard two distant voices.

"Mother? Are you there?"

"Mom, where are you? I'm scared!

Sara and Yui!

"I'm coming!" Soaku yelled. She leapt off the ground and ran to the direction of the voices.

"Mom!"

"Please help us!"

Their voices grew closer. Soaku mindlessly ran to their voices, not being able to see anything but darkness.

"Mom, I hear you!" Sara yelled.

As Soaku got closer to her daughters, her throat closed again. She tripped on the ground as she was asphyxiated.

It was like an invisible grip was squeezing the life out of her.

Soaku choked and her eyes bulged out of her skull, feeling like they would explode.

Then her neck cracked again.

Then everything went black.

Once again, Soaku awakened in the same dark fog.

"Sara? Yui? Where are you?" she bellowed breathlessly.

"Mom, please help us! We're scared!"

"I can't see anything, mother!"

Soaku got up and attempted to sprint towards her children.

Please let me reach them before—

Soaku's throat tightened again and she fell to the ground.

Her throat cracked again.

{Crack.}

Like clockwork, Soaku awakened on the floor again.

Sara and Yui continued screaming in the distance.

Dear God, what is this madness? Am I in Hell? Oh fuck, I am in Hell! God, please forgive me! Just give me another chance!

No words could come out of Soaku's mouth. Her cries and begs for forgiveness fell upon deaf ears.

The woman's soul was trapped in an endless Hell.