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

🔥THANKS FOR READING🔥

CHAPTER VOCABULARY

* minka: traditional Japanese houses

MEDIA DICTIONARY

* Thoughts

* "Dialogue."

* 'Telepathic dialogue.'

* "Past conversation."

* {Sound}

* [Movement]

HIMARI

Kokushibou and Himari were training as usual. The girl had gotten the hang of summoning her powers and could control them.

"Aim," Kokushibou said.

The target was a gaseous entity in the form of a Kakushi. With all her might, Himari emitted a pink beam of energy that dissolved the target.

"Good. Shape your energy into the form of a sphere." Effortlessly, Kokushibou created a dark purple orb of energy. He closed his hands and the orb dissipated.

"...Like this?" Himari asked. A small, pink orb of energy floated above her palms and pathetically fizzled away.

"We shall try again tomorrow," he said with a blank expression. Kokushibou started to leave, but Himari tugged his sleeve.

"Wait, Kokushibou-sama... I have a question."

The six-eyed demon stared at her.

"Why are we training in such a rush? I haven't been a demon for long... Is something going to happen soon? And why are we at war with humans? Is that really a fair fight?"

The memories of the slayers she inadvertently slaughtered flashed in her mind. Then she thought about Soaku, Sara, and Yui.

"You belong to The Twelve Kizuki and must improve. And to answer your question about the war with humans: that's just how it is. Humans are weak creatures that should be conquered and tamed. It doesn't matter if it's a fair fight or not, Zero." Then he left the simulation.

Dumbfounded, Himari sat pondered upon Kokushibou's words.

"Humans are weak creatures that should be tamed, controlled, and monitored."

...What have I gotten myself into?

KOKUSHIBOU

Kokushibou sharpened his katana as Himari's words echoed in the back of his mind.

"Is that really a fair fight?"

Her words reluctantly made him think of his younger brother, Yoriichi.

FLASHBACK:

Young Michikatsu entered the minka, carrying a small bag of meat. His face was slightly bruised and sore.

Yoriichi approached him and said, "Michikatsu, how did you get that meat? We can't afford that!"

"I fought some kid at the market for it," he said proudly.

Yoriichi frowned and scoffed. "And how is the kid you fought doing?"

"He won't be walking for a while because I broke his legs, Yoriichi." Michikatsu threw the bag on the floor.

"Don't you think that's not a fair fight? How can you be an honored samurai when you beat common folk to a pulp? And for something as small as a chicken's breast, tsk! If you keep behaving like this, you'll disgrace our family name and never become a samurai!"

"Shut up, Yoriichi! I don't care about any of that. I don't even want to become a samurai anymore. You can have that title to yourself like you always wanted!"

"Fine, Michikatsu, fine. But don't come to me when you're on the verge of being disowned!"

PRESENT:

Kokushibou clenched his fangs and tightened his grip on the katana's hilt. He gritted his teeth as he felt fury—

And a pang of sorrow.

MUZAN

'Summon Lower Moon Zero.'

'Yes, My Lord.'

Moments later, Himari appeared in Muzan's study quarters.

The girl did a short bow and watched him anxiously. "...Why am I here? I was going to—"

"You're here because I wanted to see how you were doing," Muzan replied. He approached her and lovingly ran his fingers through her hair. "How was your previous training session? I am eager to hear about it."

Himari gazed into his crimson eyes and admired his beauty. "It was… fun. Apparently, I've mastered creating enough energy to obliterate things, but I can't precisely control it just yet."

"Well, I'm positive that you'll master it very soon. Also, I wanted to tell you beforehand that you and Lower Moon One have a mission."

Then she realized Lower Moon One was... Enmu. The strange demon who was always aroused appeared in her mind and she shuddered.

"'Oh, it's the weird one who's always moaning!'"

"Himari, it's not kind to call your newest partner weird, hm?" Muzan playfully chastised.

Moments later, Enmu appeared and bowed.

"Lower Moon One, I have a mission for you. I want you and Zero to handle that bothersome Hashira, Kyōjurō Rengoku. You may speak."

Enmu's eyes lit up. "Ah, the Flame Pillar? Oh, what joy! We'll get him out of the way quickly to please you, My Lord!"

Grinning maliciously, Muzan said, "Now, leave at once and don't return without his head."

Nakime played her biwa and teleported Himari and Enmu to the human realm...

HIMARI

A full moon shined as Enmu guided Himari through the busy streets of Tokyo in their human disguises.

"Ah, I smell him nearby!" Enmu sang melodically, practically moaning. The demon's arousal creeped her out even further.

"Follow me," he said. He sprinted into a dark ally and dashed up the walls. The two demons leaped across roofs as they followed the scent of the Flame Pillar.

Soon, they reached a lone, Buddhist temple in the middle of a clearing. "He's inside, but he isn't alone," Enmu said.

Himari inhaled deeply and saw that he was correct; about seven other people were inside of the temple as well.

"I'll enter on the left and you'll enter on the right," the mouth on his hand said. "Oh, this is going to be so much fun! Last one there is a rotten egg!"

He swiftly sprinted to the temple and Himari did the same. Then she looked at Enmu and saw that he who was counting down with his fingers.

Three.

Two.

One.

The two demons simultaneously barged in the temple from both sides and saw a man with hair like fire standing before of a small group of Kakushi. He seemed to be teaching them defense techniques. In unison, the slayers grabbed their weapons and fenced around Rengoku, who had a positive smile on his face.

He seemed calm.

Too calm.

"Settle down, my pupils," he laughed. "I'll handle this." The Flame Pillar withdrew a flaming sword and held it confidently.

"I will eliminate these beasts and send them back to Hell!" Rengoku said assertively, twirling his blade.

"Ah, how pleasant it will be to take your life, Rengoku! Zero, make sure you don't injure his face. Master wouldn't be pleased if we brought back a bruised head!" Enmu sang.

Himari nodded and extended her claws.

I don't want to do this… but I have to.

"Second Form: Rising Scorching Sun!" Rengoku leapt in the air and slashed at Enmu.

{Slash.}

Effortlessly, Enmu dodged his attack.

"Fifth Form: Flame Tiger!" Rengoku did a series of slashes that took the form of a tiger. His blade almost grazed Himari's flesh, but Enmu blocked the attack.

Then Enmu's arm turned into a sharp tentacle and charged at Rengoku.

"Fourth Form: Blooming Flame Undulation!" Rengoku exclaimed, deflecting Enmu's attack. While he spun his sword, Himari came from behind and slashed Rengoku's arm.

{Slash.}

The Flame Pillar's arm leaked amounts of blood. As he continued deflecting Enmu's attacks, his blood splattered through the air.

Enmu playfully extended his tongue and caught the blood droplets. "Rengoku, your blood tastes divine! Zero, you should try some!" Enmu wiped some blood off his cheek and extended his hand to her. Before Himari could react, Rengoku released fireballs and a few hit Himari's shoulder, scorching her flesh. Enmu dashed to her aid and cradled her.

{Sizzle.}

"Argh!"

The Kakushi cheered and erupted in applause. "Rengoku-sama! Rengoku-sama! Rengoku-sama!"

"Heh, would you look at that," Rengoku laughed heartily. Then he stood in a battle stance and said, "Ninth Form: Rengoku!" He moved to attack, but abruptly paused. His dropped his sword to the ground, his eyes widened.

{Clank.}

...What? Why did he stop?

The Kakushi stopped cheering and a tense atmosphere filled the air.

Suddenly, Enmu started laughing maniacally. "Hah! Zero, this was super fun, right?"

Rengoku's fell to the ground, motionless. For a moment, he softly choked on his own blood.

Then nothing.

"Wow, that was exhilarating!" Enmu exclaimed. A fleshy tentacle shot out from his hand and decapitated The Flame Pillar. His severed head rolled towards the two demons.

"So, would you prefer if I carry the head, or would you like to volunteer?"

Horrified, Himari stared at Enmu. The girl didn't understand what just happened at all and Enmu's behavior made things eerier.

A euphoric expression was plastered upon the demon's face as he awaited her reply. "Never mind, Zero. I'll hold the head instead!"

He took the severed head and shoved in inside his coat, holding it like how one would hold a football. Then he then turned to petrified Kakushi and said, "Zero, should we take care of them as well?"

"...N-no… let's just leave!" Himari stuttered.

"Okay. Well, goodbye everyone!" Enmu sang.

ENMU

As Enmu and Himari left the temple, the Kakushi were petrified as they stared at the corpse of their decapitated teacher.

The two demons returned to the busy streets of Tokyo. Himari was still disturbed and confused by what happened, while Enmu giddily pranced on the sidewalk.

Suddenly, the jovial demon paused abruptly. He deeply inhaled the air and moaned quietly.

"Uh... Enmu? What are you doing?"

"Oh, nothing. I just smelled something heavenly..." The fragrance wafted through the air, enthralling him.

The scent smelled so familiar.

It smelled like rose petals, berries and vanilla.

It smelled like Rei Kobayashi-Watanabe.

Enmu scanned the crowd with his enhanced vision and immediately spotted Rei and her daughter at a nearby hat stand. He dreamily gazed at the attractive noblewoman.

"...Enmu? We have to hurry, or someone will notice that lump in your coat!" Himari said quietly.

"...Oh? Ah, you're right, my apologies. Let's not dawdle!"

That's Master's lovely wife and child! Oh, he will be so pleased to hear that they're doing well!