Eyes Like Rubies: Part Four

by xsoftly

Rated M for mature/Rated E for explicit. Reader discretion advised. To free the Earth from Kibutsuji Muzan and Mujōna's tyranny and demon reign, a new organization prepares and trains for battle.

9. A Return - II

FULL STORY SUMMARY

Rated M for mature/Rated E for explicit. Reader discretion advised.

To free the Earth from Kibutsuji Muzan and Mujōna's tyranny and demon reign, a new organization prepares and trains for battle.

---

AUTHOR'S NOTES

Hello, Softies!

This is... the longest chapter I've ever posted. It was originally 20k (Yeah, I know😭) but I cut it down. If the chapters keep being huge like this, then we'll be done with Part Four by like, chapter 15 LMAO. Next chapter will focus on the Demon Suns, so stay tuned...

I feel like that in 2-4 chapters, we'll FINALLY return to Hikari, Aoi, Omoikitta, and the Pairons (no more damn flashbacks AHH.) I really want to get out of the relationship drama shit and to the ACTION!

Also, it's wise to keep looking at the Eyes Like Rubies wiki. Sometimes, you'll learn more about the characters from there than the story! 💕

🏮読んでくれてありがとう🏮

---

CHAPTER VOCABULARY

* hanfu: a term used for the historical styles of clothing worn by the Han people in China. Traditionally, it consists of a robe or shirt worn as the upper garment, with a pleated skirt commonly worn as the lower garment.

* kakemono: a Japanese hanging scroll used to display paintings, calligraphy inscriptions and designs.

* ryokan: a type of traditional Japanese inn that typically features tatami-matted rooms.

* taiko: a broad range of Japanesepercussion instruments.

* dorayaki: a type of Japanese confection, a red-bean pancake which consists of two small pancake-like patties made from castella wrapped around a filling of sweet azuki bean paste.

---

MEDIA DICTIONARY

* Thoughts

* "Dialogue."

* 'Telepathic dialogue.'

* "'Hearing someone's thoughts.'"

* "Past conversation."

* {Sound}

* [Movement]

---

HAKANAI & HIKIHARAU

FLASHBACK:

With watchful eyes, Hakanai and Hikiharau stared at Mujōna as she crushed an amethyst crystal with pestle and mortar. The crushing, grinding sound of the shattered jewel made their ears ache, but Mujōna's humming assuaged them.

The faint mewls and coos from two infants in another room were heard along with the sound of rocking bassinets and trickling water.

The identical twins had been under Mujōna's wing for a few months and were learning the basics of sorcery. Mujōna had briefly mentioned that her mother was into such things, precisely for methods of cleansing and protection.

Once the amethyst was crushed into a fine powder, Mujōna added a strange liquid. Hakanai and Hikiharau stared in awe as the powder morphed into a glowing purple sphere.

The Queen let the sphere levitate above her palm and said, "In the center of the land, there's a palace that my husband created, and it acts as a bridge between the two realms. We did talk about living there primarily, but found that there wasn't any point. That palace wasn't useful to us anymore and like with all things that aren't useful, we discard."

In unison, Hakanai and Hikiharau nodded and said, "Yes, Lady Mujōna-sama."

Mujōna abruptly paused and looked at them directly, her scarlet eyes gleaming with an inexplicable light. An expression that looked like something along the lines of, 'I almost forgot to tell you something important,' was upon her face.

As the sphere cracked and returned to dust in her palm, Mujōna said, "…But with some things, you cherish and keep forever."

---

SUNŌ

Sunō aimlessly walked through the halls of the fortress and leaned against a pillar. She heaved quiet, sorrowful sighs as she looked down at the floor. A million thoughts raced through her mind and every last one of them were indecipherable.

Soon, she found it hard to breath and decided to get a breath of fresh air.

Sunō went to a balcony and leaned against the railing, the stunning views of the demon realm taking her breath away once more.

The balcony overlooked a vast field of lavender and sakura, bordered by an ocean with shimmering golden sparks that twinkled.

The wind in her hair gave her a sense of freedom and comfort, but the incessant, wailing pang in her heart brought her back to reality.

Why do I feel this way? I feel an emotion I can't even describe, let alone understand.

A voice in the back of my mind keeps telling me that someone out there loves me; that my soulmate is out there!

…But this sense of loss—

Have I lost something? I don't remember losing anything, so what—

"Sunō," a familiar male voice said.

Upon hearing that, Sunō pressed her fingers and nails unbelievably hard against the railing, the concreate balustrade cutting into her flesh.

Oh no.

Sunō trembled as she turned around, her heart pounding within her chest.

As expected, standing before her was none other than Kamabisushii.

The way the moonlight casted a shadow against half of his face made him look alluringly mysterious, which made her heart reluctantly flutter.

A strange, unreadable expression was upon his face, but when he reached in his pocket and lit a cigar, that expression faded away. A faint, familiar fragrance that smelled like rose petals and vanilla drifted past her.

That cigarette doesn't smell like smoke at all… It smells really sweet! Could this be another one of his demon magic tricks?

"You… smoke."

"Only for leisure."

Kamabisushii put his hands in his pockets and took a few steps towards her, which made her tense and back away.

"Are you frightened?"

Silence.

"Ah, I figured as much. And with good reason."

Still on high alert, Sunō turned away from him and refused to meet his gaze. She crossed her arms and rubbed them, trying to warm herself. The air around them seemed to grow cold because of Kamabisushii's mere presence.

H-he can't hurt me. He can't lay a finger on me because… because—

Because I belong to Lady Mujōna!

"Whatever Nodoka told you, it's true," Kamabisushii said without a trace of shame. "Anyhow, I've been tasked to protect and watch over you and I'll continue doing so from afar, if that is what pleases you, Sunō."

Silence.

After what felt like an eternity, he turned and began to walk away.

Sunō watched as he walked away, tears welling in her eyes against her will. The wind whistled and swirled around her ankles, coaxing her to say something; anything.

"…Kamabisushii, what gives you the right to mess with me like that?" she roared, her throat growing raw with anger.

Kamabisushii stopped dead in his tracks, his muscles tense. "I've been… messing with you?"

"Yes! You've been charming me all this time!" Sunō shouted, pointing an accusatory finger at him. "You've been making me feel things I don't want to feel with your… demon magic tricks!"

"Demon magic tricks?" he chuckled through stifled laughs. Then he threw his cigarette to the ground and stepped on it, smothering its flames. "It's called Blood Demon Art or kekkijutsu. And no, I haven't used any of my powers to 'charm' you. That's not my drift."

What? But how can this be? I was so sure that he was charming me.

"You… You're lying to me!" Sunō yelled. "If that was the truth, then why do I feel so strange whenever I'm close to you?"

A relaxed, tranquil expression came upon his face as he said, "Sunō, are you in love with me?"

Shocked, the pink-eyed human looked away with quivering lips. The word 'no' was at the tip of her tongue, but something was preventing it from being said.

"…Or perhaps you're still in love with an old flame and only see me as a substitute or a distraction."

"An old flame? W-what makes you think that?" she asked, startled.

"I can just tell," he said, shrugging his shoulders. "I don't mind being used as a substitution, but I'd prefer if we weren't involved and kept our relationship appropriate and simple."

Sunō was rendered speechless by his words and all she could do was gape at him, dumbfounded.

Sighing deeply, Kamabisushii gave her a sympathetic look and said, "And for what it's worth, you may be lovely, but you aren't my type."

Sunō clutched her chest and watched as he walked away, the sound of his footsteps echoing in her ears. His words struck a chord within her and made it feel like her surroundings were cracking like a mirror.

I-I'm not his… type? What does that even mean?

And what made him assume that I'm in love with someone else? I don't even know if I'm in love with someone else!

…Oh, I'm just so confused!

---

NODOKA

In a dōjō suspended within the vast, infinite abyss known as the Void, Kokushibou and Nodoka kneeled in seiza position, their heads bowed. Due to their deep, intense bond, their minds were linked as they meditated.

Moonlight seeped in through the shoji screen and illuminated only a corner of the room. A single candle was lit before them, the darkness muting and swallowing its light. A cold, chilling wind periodically came by and its whistling lessened the deafening silence.

Suddenly, Kokushibou opened all six of his eyes and broke their connection.

"What do you sense?" Nodoka asked, her wispy bangs screening her face.

The moonlight obscured half of Kokushibou's face as he stood up, his mane flowing in the breeze. "They've… returned," he said.

Upon hearing that, Nodoka shot up and stared at the full moon with tears welling in her eyes. Her heart felt as it would burst from the overwhelming tides of emotion.

Joy.

"It's been… so long," she whispered, taking quick, unsteady breaths.

A sudden tight, clenching feeling in her chest made her lose her breath and train of thought. As her knees buckled, Nodoka felt as if the floor beneath her would vanish.

His Lordship, the two Princes… Lady Mujōna.

I've missed all of you… just so much…

As he walked past her, Kokushibou touched her shoulder and said, "I'll only say this once… control your emotions and stay vigilant. Weakness… will not be tolerated."

Kokushibou and Nodoka met Muzan and Mujōna on a bridge in a zen garden.

Mujōna wore a light peach-colored dress with rose embroidery and her hair was long and wavy.

Muzan wore a white half cloak over a tuxedo, and his hair was in its usual style; short in the back with two curly locks framing his face.

Kokushibou and Nodoka bowed and kneeled before them. "My Queen and Your Lordship," she said, kneeling even further.

Mujōna pulled her in a warm, loving embrace and said, "Oh, words cannot explain how much I missed you, Nodoka."

Then she sauntered to Kokushibou, her hips swaying from side to side in her puffy petticoat. "And I've missed you as well, Kokushibou."

Kokushibou kept his blank, stoic composure, but Mujōna could sense a tinge of happiness surfacing his aura.

The white-haired demon saw that the twins were nowhere to be found and said, "Your Majesties, if I may ask, where—" Before she could finish, she immediately sensed two other presences.

Nodoka looked down and saw a pair of bright orange eyes peering from behind Muzan's leg. Then she heard the sound of stifled giggles and laughs.

A small, golden-eyed boy timidly peeked out from behind Mujōna's dress, then quickly hid himself.

"Oh, come out of hiding, you two," Mujōna melodiously sang.

The two little boys obeyed and came out from hiding, which made Nodoka gasp at the sight.

Mugoi and Mujihi wore embroidered tuxedos that looked similar to Muzan's. Freckles were perfectly placed across their noses and cheeks, and they both had a sun-kissed complexion. The twins looked just like their father but with delicate, angelic features from their mother.

In other words, they were truly beautiful children.

The two adorable little boys stood before them and bowed. "Kon'nichiwa, Kokushibou-sama and Nodoka-san," they said in unison, their soft, tiny voices tugging the heartstrings of all.

✧TRANSLATION: The two adorable little boys stood before them and bowed. "Hello, Kokushibou-sama and Nodoka-san," they said in unison, their soft, tiny voices tugging the heartstrings of all.

The twins glanced at their parents, who beckoned for them to continue.

"I am Mugoi," the golden-eyed boy said.

"And I'm Mujihi," the orange-eyed boy said.

"It is nice to meet you," they said in unison with another bow.

Suddenly, Nodoka burst into tears and crumbled to the floor. She fell to her knees and attempted to muffle her sobs, but to no avail.

…And to think that I'm the reason why they almost weren't born.

Kokushibou stood perfectly still and looked to be indifferent to what was happening.

"What?" Muzan growled under his breath, his face darkening with rage. His wife's delicate, reassuring touch on his shoulder put him at ease, but only for a moment.

"Why is Oba Nodoka-tan crying?" Mugoi timidly asked.

"I d-don't like it when Oba Nodoka-tan cries…" Mujihi whimpered, his lips quivering. He anxiously rocked back and forth on the heel of his shoes, clutching his teddy bear.

A-aunt… They just referred to me as their aunt.

Nodoka lifted her head and looked to Muzan and Mujōna, revealing a flushed tear-streaked face. "Your Majesties, I am just so sorry. Please have mercy and forgive me! I've failed all of you because of my weakness and incompetence!"

Although the twins were confused and didn't understand any of what was happening, they wept along with Nodoka anyway.

As they bawled incessantly, the twins went to her and she pulled them close, refusing to let go. "Y-you two are just so beautiful," she choked out. "I-I am so, so, so, so sorry."

Enraged, Muzan broke away from his wife's touch and said, "All of you, cease your weeping."

Then he stalked closer to Nodoka and looked down upon her as if she was a stain on a white shirt. "Get a hold of yourself and stand up," he boomed.

Trembling, Nodoka shakily stood before him and met his intense, crimson stare. The Demon Lord had always towered over her, but the way he loomed above her was, and felt, much more different.

Muzan glanced at Kokushibou, who was staring at him with a blank, unreadable expression.

'Nodoka, what happened is in the past and must be forgotten, so… I forgive you.'

Upon hearing Muzan's words in her mind, Nodoka felt a stagging weight lifted off her shoulders.

Freedom.

After what happened over three years ago, she never forgave herself.

Kokushibou forgave her and most importantly, Mujōna forgave her as well, but not Muzan. He had always resented her after the traumatic event, and rightfully so.

The Demon Lord glanced at his children, who looked terribly bewildered and confused. The twins fidgeted in place as both of their noses wiggled frantically.

'You mustn't mention it ever again, especially in front of them.'

Nodoka composed herself and kneeled before him. "Of course, Your Lordship. I apologize for my disturbance and negligence. I am… so very grateful."

Muzan gave a short, reluctant nod then stood by his wife. The tense, unsettling atmosphere finally lightened and dissipated.

The sense of peace and forgiveness resonating within Nodoka intensified when she saw Kokushibou extending his hand to her. She took it and instantly felt at ease at his mere touch, which was soft and gentle.

Kokushibou and Nodoka gazed into each other's eyes and felt something that could only be their love deepening.

Like the world below a vast, unmoving ocean.

Like an eternal ruptured gorge between perilous, rocky mountains.

Mujihi tugged at the bottom of Kokushibou's hakama pants and said, "Koko-sama."

Kokushibou attentively looked at the small child saw that he was holding out a teddy bear to him.

The teddy bear had soft brown fur, two black buttons for eyes, and heart-shaped paws. He wore a black tuxedo with a red bowtie.

Kokushibou vacantly stared at the teddy bear, unsure of what to do.

"That's Bonbon," Muzan chuckled, smiling faintly. "Mujihi only allows those he deems worthy hold it, so consider yourself lucky, Kokushibou."

"He lets you borrow it for a little while, then comes back for it!" Mujōna laughed.

Kokushibou slowly took the teddy bear from Mujihi, then bowed to express his respect and gratitude.

The orange-eyed boy bowed in return, then playfully cupped his cheeks. "Ojisan Koko-sama has Bonbon!" he giggled.

Uncle… He just referred to Kokushibou as his uncle.

Suddenly, Mugoi tottered to Kokushibou and embraced his leg. Then he looked up at him and said, "Hi."

"Hello," Kokushibou replied.

And at that very moment, everyone knew that a beautiful relationship between Kokushibou and the twins had just blossomed.

"Well, we must get going," Muzan said as he took Mujihi into his arms. "We have to get ready, don't we, Mujihi?"

"Yes, Otōsan!" the orange-eyed boy replied, playfully burying his face against his father's chest. Then they walked away and faded into the distance.

With a beautiful smile, Mugoi embraced Nodoka's leg then rushed to take his mother's hand.

"We'll be around, Kokushibou and Nodoka," Mujōna said. "Farewell for now."

"Bye-bye," Mugoi said before they vanished in thin air.

Now alone, Nodoka looked at Kokushibou and saw that he was blankly staring off into the distance. The man's usual detached, inexpressive demeanor forever made his emotions indecipherable, but Nodoka learned how to read him over time.

And he was aggravated.

"If an apology's what you seek, then look no further," Nodoka said, her white hair flowing in the breeze. "I'm sorry… but not on our behalf."

Silence.

"And what you feel won't hold long."

And she was right; he couldn't harbor negative sentiments towards her no matter how hard he tried.

As he stared at the teddy bear in his hand, Kokushibou said, "I warned you beforehand."

"Yes," Nodoka said, walking closer towards him. "And I love you for it, but not everyone can be like you, Kokushibou."

Then she ran her fingers across the teddy bear's tuxedo and smiled. "Cute. It suits you."

What sounded like a short, suppressed laugh escaped from him and made Nodoka laugh. Then Kokushibou joined her and began to laugh freely and heartily, his laughter music to her ears.

And she couldn't ask for anything greater.

---

MUZAN

As they walked through the halls, Muzan held Mujihi's hand. The orange-eyed boy absentmindedly chewed his fist, making sure as to not accidentally cut himself.

The Demon Lord chuckled to himself at the sight. He had told Mujihi many times to refrain from doing so, but the child had quite the rebellious streak—

Mujihi was going to do whatever Mujihi wanted to do whenever Mujihi wanted to.

Rebellious, impulsive, and stubborn… just like his mother.

But he loved her.

Muzan knew that the only way to handle this was to meet the child somewhere in the middle: Mujihi could chew his fist as he long as he promised to properly wash his hands and not cut himself.

Soon, they arrived at a sitting area and saw Mujōna and Mugoi. The golden-eyed boy giggled and laughed as he played with a lamp that flickered each time he touched it.

"My Love, it's almost time," Mujōna said as she kissed Muzan's cheek.

The room was silent except for the continuous ticking of the grandfather clock. Once it struck midnight, the clock's pendulum wildly swung back and forth.

The sound of bells tolling in the distance made the twins pause and look up above. Then they took their bells out of their pockets and rang them, the silvery chime pleasing their ears.

Bells; oh, how they loved bells.

"Indeed," Muzan sighed, smiling faintly. "Let's just get this over with."

Mujōna turned to her children and said, "Now, who would like to meet your father's demons?"

"I want to meet them!" Mujihi cried, his arms outstretched. As he ran around the room, he chanted, "Moon, moon, moon!"

Mugoi climbed off the divan and joined his brother, giggling. The two little boys laughed as they ran around in circles, chanting, "Moon, moon, moon!"

Their parents lightheartedly laughed at the adorable spectacle, smiles spreading across their faces.

This was it.

After so long, this was it.

Love.

Happiness.

Family.

---

KAIGAKU

Upon hearing a subconscious message that they had been summoned, all of the Twelve Kizuki rushed to the demon realm to meet at the supposed location.

Kaigaku entered and found himself in a large tatami-styled chamber that had a gorgeous, tranquil view of mountains and waterfalls. Platforms and stairs ascended and descend across the walls, defying all laws of gravity.

Then he saw a few Lower Moons anxiously standing in corners and keeping to themselves, trembling.

Weak.

Inferior.

Useless.

Kaigaku leapt to the higher platforms with ease and saw a few Upper Moons.

Gyutaro leaned against a newel post as he repeatedly threw his scythe in the air and caught it.

Daki sat at the bottom of a staircase, mindlessly twirling a lock of her hair. She looked at Kaigaku out of the corner of her eye but when he met her gaze, she quickly turned away.

…Whatever.

Douma was nonchalantly levitating in midair when he spotted Kaigaku. With haste, he flew towards him and said, "Ah, Kaigaku-dono, you look dangerously superb! It's been so long!"

"We literally saw each other a month ago, Douma," Kaigaku sighed, aggravated.

"A month too long, I say!"

The clanking sound of a porcelain vase was heard as Gyokko bounced up the stairs. Then he slithered out of his pot with a wide, toothy grin upon both of his mouths. "Oh, hello, everyone! How's it going? I hope that you're all going to Hell—I mean, that you're all doing swell!"

Hantengu crawled back and forth upon a staircase, panicking. "Does anyone know why we're here? Please tell me why we're here!"

"Oh, I just love it when we all get together like this!" Douma exclaimed. Then he looked around furrowed his brows. "Three, four, five, six… Nakime, where's Kokushibou-dono?"

Above, Nakime sat frozen in a cross-legged position as she held her biwa.

Silence.

"Ah, never mind!" Then he ascended into the darkness of above.

As he walked upside down upon a staircase towards them, Enmu softly said, "Is it true that… they've returned?"

"Beats me," Kaigaku said, turning his nose up at the sight of a Lower Moon.

A while back, Douma told Kaigaku that the Upper ranks used to despise the Lower ranks but came to tolerate them over time. The Lower Moons could interact with the Upper Moons, but always knew their place.

"Well, Master has to be here," Gyutaro said, rolling his eyes. "We wouldn't have been called if He wasn't, duh."

"Oh, yes, they're definitely here!" Gyokko exclaimed, bouncing wildly inside his pot. "I can feel it! Hyo, hyo, I've come bearing a gift for the Queen!"

"Gyokko, you have a gift for Lady Mujōna?" Daki asked as she approached him, shocked.

"Yes, of course! Why wouldn't I? Oh, don't tell me… You don't have a gift for Her, do you?"

Furrowing her brows, Daki sighed and said, "…No."

The other Lower Moons finally made their way up on a separate platform and distanced themselves from each other.

"Hey, you guys!" Douma cheerfully exclaimed, waving. "Don't be a stranger! Come over here!"

Mukago cowardly shrunk within herself and shakily backed away, and the other Lower Moons followed suit. The mere sight of all of the Upper Moons in one place was terrifying, to say the least.

"I'll join you," Enmu replied, smiling faintly he walked towards them.

"No, you stay the fuck over there," Gyutaro hissed, veins throbbing all over. "Fucking freak."

Snickering, Daki covered her mouth and muffled her laughter.

"He's creepy, I tell ya."

Pouting, Douma frowned and whined, "You guys are no fun. I only wanted to keep the peace and liven up the place, that's all!"

"It's better for the lower ranks to stay amongst each other," Kaigaku said, resting his head against the hilt of his blade. "Biwa woman."

Nakime plucked a single string, which teleported Enmu and the rest of the Lower Moons into the chambers along the walls.

---

MUZAN

Suddenly, Nakime strung her biwa, its sound echoing throughout the entire chamber.

A section of the walls shifted and Muzan appeared, looking over his shoulder.

Where is that woman of mine? She vanished so suddenly. Did I… say or do something to displease her? I don't recall doing or saying anything that could upset her.

Perhaps I should telepathically speak to her and— No, that'll seem desperate. That woman will get over it and come to me sooner or later.

Upon seeing him, the Twelve Kizuki immediately bowed and kneeled before him.

The Demon Lord descended invisible steps and stood before them. "You may speak," he said, disinterested.

"My Lord… it's been so long," Hantengu said in a raspy voice, trembling with fear. "I am… so pleased to see you."

Douma let out a hearty laugh and said, "Your Lordship, you look even more handsomely striking and personable than before! The Sun's rays were much needed for your complexion!"

Muzan looked as if he wanted to bash Douma's skull in, but held a stiff, rigid composure. "Why aren't the lower ranks with all of you as well? I need to speak to all of you directly. Nakime, bring them here."

Some doors opened and the Lower Moons walked out of them. All six of them were prostrated and the only one who wasn't trembling was Enmu. With a tranquil, smiling expression, he lifted his head and said, "Your Majesty, it's a dream to be in your presence."

Kyogai prostrated himself even further, his nose to the floor. "Master, we welcome your return," he murmured, shaking.

The Demon Lord inwardly scoffed and grimaced at the mere sight of them, then shifted his attention to the Upper Moons. "Mujōna and our children will be here shortly, so prepare yourselves and refrain from doing anything foolish."

"You're letting us see the Purebloods?" Douma asked.

"…Yes," Muzan reluctantly sighed, irate.

Upon hearing that, the lesser demons quietly gasped and smiles spread across their faces. Today was a wonderful day because not only did their Lord return and make an appearance, but their Queen and the two royal, pureblooded children would bless them with their presence as well.

"This is marvelous!" Douma exclaimed. "It's been a while since we last saw them, so I—"

Suddenly, Nakime strung her biwa once more, it's sound echoing throughout. The single note made all of the lesser demons freeze with anticipation and their hearts pound within their chest.

A sweet, intoxicating fragrance that smelled of roses, vanilla, and all things good permeated the air itself. Upon inhaling it, the demons felt calm and at ease.

Sniffing the air, Rokuro looked in the fragrance's direction and gasped, "Could it be?"

"...Yes, it is," Wakuraba whispered.

A fusama door opened and a woman wearing a long, flowing white hanfu stood in the doorway. Her hair was styled in a large low bun with crystal kanzashi. Two hair sticks that dangled with sparkling diamonds and rubies were in her bun, and she wore matching earrings.

The bottom half of her face was hidden behind her folding fan, her scarlet eyes captivating all. After what was only a few seconds but felt like an eternity, she fully revealed her face.

And she was absolutely, truly, utterly beautiful.

Mujōna… How did that woman change her entire look in such little time? Never mind that. She looks lovely.

The demons were rendered speechless and gaped at her in awe, for that was their beloved Queen. Even Muzan was taken aback by the sight and was clearly at a loss for words, stunned.

Somehow, Mujōna's ethereal beauty intensified and she became even more breathtaking.

✧There's a reason for this.

The lesser demons watched as she descended the staircases and sauntered towards them, never taking their eyes off her.

"'…Lady Mujōna!"'

"'She's so beautiful…"'

"'Our Queen! Our Queen has arrived!"'

"'Wow…"'

"'No other woman's beauty comes close to hers."'

"'I can't even put how I feel in words."'

"'She's so beautiful. She's perfect for Master!"'

"Pretty," Hantengu whispered, filled with glee. "So very pretty."

"Thank you, Hantengu," Mujōna replied, her sultry, melodious voice pleasing their ears. "I've missed each of you dearly."

"My Lady, you look so heavenly and divine!" Douma exclaimed, bowing dramatically.

"Thank you, Douma," she said, blushing. "I appreciate your compliments."

"Your beauty is astounding and breathtaking, Lady Mujōna!" Gyokko said, grinning. Then he timidly made a porcelain vase levitate towards her and said, "A gift for you, Your Highness."

"'I-I thought that we couldn't b-bring them gifts,'" Mukago thought to herself.

Everyone knew that Muzan despised gifts that didn't pertain to a Hashira's head, and it was an unspoken rule to notgive gifts to his wife and children.

"Yes, Lower Moon Four, you're not supposed to bring us gifts," Muzan said coldly. "But some of you imbeciles can't comprehend such a simple thing."

"Good one, My Lord!" Douma heartily laughed, clapping his hands. "Good one!"

The Queen let the vase levitate above her palm and said, "Ah, what a lovely vase, Gyokko. I just adore the lustrous imagery. It's clear that each and every stroke you made with your brush was with care and perfection."

"Lady Mujōna, your taste for art is very exquisite and prestigious, indeed!" Gyokko gasped. "I will make many more if you want! Hundreds, thousands— no, millions more just for you if you ask of me!"

"I am truly grateful, Gyokko. I'd love for all of the vases in the fortress to be replaced with yours. But this particular vase… I'd like to keep for myself, yes?"

Gyokko looked as if he was about to faint from her words. "I— I'll get started right away, Lady Mujōna. I can't believe that this is really happening…"

Enmu came forward and bowed before Muzan and Mujōna. "My Masters, I've longed for your return. It's a dream to have both of you here."

The Demon Lord grimaced at the sight, his face twisting in repulsion. "Get on with it, Lower Moon One."

"Of course, Your Lordship. Lady Mujōna, although I haven't come bearing proper gifts, I think that I have something for your new vase." With a smile, Enmu kneeled and held out a single rose to her.

And the rose was red.

Everyone let out shocked, horrified gasps. It was a well-known fact that the Queen only loved white roses and despisedred ones. To give her a red rose was such a blatant show of disrespect. The only way to make amends was to string yourself upon the highest tree and let the Sun's rays scorch your flesh until you were nothing more.

Yet, Mujōna took the red rose, her sharp, white claws piercing its thorns. She looked at it for a while, then placed it in the vase. With a tender, heartwarming smile, she used some of her powers and made the single red rose turn into a full, bountiful bouquet.

"This is… perfect," Mujōna gasped. "Thank you, Enmu. Your addition is just what this wonderful vase needed."

Scowling, Kaigaku was at a loss for words and crossed his arms. He recalled the time he offered Mujōna a white rose and she made it shrivel up and die with resentment in her eyes.

'"This just doesn't make any sense!"'

The Queen seemed to hear his thoughts from afar because she caught his eye and walked towards him. As she neared, Kaigaku immediately felt an overwhelming sense of fear and the urge to beg for forgiveness.

To his surprise, Mujōna said, "And about that… I sincerely apologize for that, Upper Moon Three. I shouldn't have let my emotions get the best of me. I hope that you can find it in your heart to forgive me."

Kaigaku tried to conceal his emotions, but his trembling hands and quivering lips gave it away. "…Y-you want me to f-forgive you?" he stammered. "That's— T-that's guaranteed and unnecessary. I was the one in the wrong, and you—"

Kaigaku paused when Mujōna lovingly touched the side of his face and kissed his cheek. His blade dropped to the floor and his cheeks turned a bright rouge.

Chills ran down his spine as she went to his ear and whispered, "Kaigaku, something within you has changed and has made me take a liking to you. And not only that, but I'm so pleased with you for helping my strongest butterfly."

Pleased with her work, Mujōna walked away from Kaigaku, who was frozen in place with a flushed face.

"How come he gets a kiss?" Gyutaro grumbled under his breath.

"Oh, my dear Lady Mujōna, may I have a peck on the cheek as well?" Douma asked, drawing near. Before he could get any closer, Muzan swiftly severed his head, leaving only the bottom half of his face.

"Hey, did I do something wrong?" Douma asked, the brows of his severed head's top half furrowed.

"There will be no more kisses," Muzan said ominously, never taking his eyes off Mujōna.

"M-Master, I apologize, but I have a gift for the Lady," Kyogai timidly faltered.

Before Muzan could say anything, Mujōna covered half of her face with her folding fan and approached Kyogai. "I'd love to see it, Kyogai."

Kyogai's knees buckled and his legs felt weak from being in such a close proximity to Mujōna. He had never been so close to her and she had never spoke to him directly, let alone looked at him.

It was said that the Queen was even more beautiful up close and at that very moment, Kyogai found that such a thing was true.

Quivering, he shakily held out a kakemono to her and murmured, "A poem… I hope it pleases you, Your Highness."

Mujōna opened the scroll and began to read, her scarlet eyes dancing across the page like leaves in the wind. Then she slowly looked up and met his gaze.

As she held Kyogai's stare, Mujōna gently rolled the scroll back up.

"'She… hates it! My writing is abhorrent! I shouldn't have given Our Lady such a terrible, repugnant, revol—'"

"…I love it," Mujōna said, her eyes wide. "Your writing… is very beautiful, Kyogai." Then she touched the side of his face and said, "Your writing must never cease; it pleases me greatly."

As she sauntered past him with the scroll in hand, Kyogai broke down and fell to his knees. His eyes rolled back to the front, revealing his red scleras with blue irises. "S-she… She likes my writing," he muttered under his breath.

"SHE LIKES MY WRITING!" Kyogai wailed, crying tears of joy.

"Hush, Kyogai!" Wakuraba hissed. "You're being too loud!"

Mujōna returned to Muzan's side, and he gently, but firmly, pulled her closer to him.

'Mujōna, there will be no more physical contact.'

'Of course, Muzan.'

"Well, since that's over with, we'd love for all of you to see the twins," Mujōna said.

Scowling, Muzan inwardly sighed and grimaced at the idea of his children interacting with the lesser ranks of the Demon Moons.

'Nakime, let them meet the Lower Moons after they've met the Upper Moons.'

'Yes, My Lord.'

The Lower Moons were immediately teleported away from sight and the entire chamber shifted, making it more accommodable for a child. Building blocks, books, and toys were summoned, along with plush flooring in some areas.

A fusama door slowly opened, then two little boys peeked out with awestruck, timid expressions.

"Aw, it's the two mini His Lordships!" Douma gasped, his polychromatic eyes shimmering ever so beautifully in the light.

"Kon'nichiwa," the twins said in unison with a bow.

✧TRANSLATION: "Hello," the twins said in unison with a bow.

"I am Mujihi," the golden-eyed boy said.

"Huh?" the orange-eyed boy gasped through a loud, sorrowful sob. "B-but I'm Mujihi. You're Mugoi!"

"No, you're Mugoi. I am Mujihi," Mugoi giggled as he bashfully looked away, which stole everyone's hearts and took their breath away.

Mujihi covered his face and shook his head. "No! No, no, no!" he whined, stomping his feet.

"Hey, the Purebloods are really cute!" Douma exclaimed, fawning over them.

Muzan heaved a slightly irate sigh and shook his head, tsking. "Behave, you two. You only have a two, so spend your time wisely. Listen for the bells." Then he guided his wife to a private room and the curtain closed behind them.

---

MUGOI & MUJIHI

Mugoi and Mujihi stood side by side as they looked at their surroundings. They were in a strange, unknown place filled with vaguely familiar demons, and their parents had left them alone.

No one said a word or moved a muscle until a tall, muscular man with pale blonde hair approached them. He wore a black turtleneck with grey pinstriped pants and a cap that looked like splattered blood.

The man knelt down to their level and said, "Hey, Mugoi-bō and Mujihi-bō. Do you two remember me?"

The twins timidly shook their heads and said, "No."

"Hm, I see." The man pulled out a golden fan and began to twirl it. As the golden fan gleamed in the light, faint memories of the fan appeared in their mind, especially for Mugoi. The man began to twirl another matching fan, which reinvigorated their memory even more.

"…I remember!" Mugoi joyously exclaimed.

"Yeah, me too," Mujihi gasped, awestruck.

"I'm sure you don't remember much, so I'll reintroduce myself," the man said with a fanged grin. "I'm Douma, Upper Moon Two. We first met when you guys were really, really small."

"I was small like this?" Mujihi asked, holding out a clenched fist.

"Mhm!" Douma replied. Then he balled his fist and said, "My fist is much bigger than yours, but yes, you were this small."

Mugoi clasped his hands together to form a fist bigger than his brother's. "I think that I was this big."

"Yeah, maybe so!"

"Yeah," the twins said in unison, giggling.

Douma stood up and flexed his muscles then said, "Well, you must meet the others. They're really nice and want to meet you both. Follow me!"

Mugoi and Mujihi followed Douma to a group of demons who looked very powerful. All eyes were on them which was quite unsettling, but strangely comforting as well.

Something deep down told the twins that everyone was okay and that this is where they belonged.

"Mugoi-bō and Mujihi-bō, these are the Upper Moons," Douma said triumphantly, a broad grin upon his face.

"Woah," Mujihi gasped, his eyes wide. "Hi."

Bashful, Mugoi timidly hid behind Douma's leg. "Hi," he whispered, peeking out.

A woman who looked to be a prestigious Oiran approached them. She had lime green eyes and a light complexion and wore an opulent kimono. "Hello, Prince Mugoi and Mujihi. I'm Daki and that's my brother, Gyutaro," she said, pointing to a man who was leaning against the wall.

The man had a pale grayish complexion and was twirling one of his scythes. He looked at them and nodded.

A pot began to move by itself from side to side, tilting. Then an abstracted humanoid form suddenly emerged from it like how a genie would.

The demon had a grotesque appearance; he depicted an armless upper torso with two green mouths where his eyes should be. His actual eyes were located vertically upon his face and he had multiple infant-like arms.

"I am Gyokko, Upper Rank Five," he said ominously, looming above them. To his surprise, the twins began to laugh and clap their hands. "Hm? You're not frightened in the slightest?"

"Yokko, I like your pot!" Mugoi exclaimed, his arms outstretched.

"Me too!" Mujihi laughed.

"Oh, well, thank you," Gyokko bashfully muttered to himself. Then he leaned in to get a closer look and gasped, "…Oh my! Their faces! H-have you seen their faces?"

Perplexed, Douma looked at the twins' face and raised a questionable eyebrow. "Uh, what's wrong with their faces?"

"Nothing."

Still confused, Douma questionably titled his head. "Gyokko, you've lost me."

"There's nothing wrong with them! That's the point!" Gyokko cried. "Their faces are… perfect! Yes, perfect, indeed! Such precision, magnificence, and symmetry! There's not a single flaw about them. Even their freckles are beautifully so spread! Master's children are… are— ARE A WORK OF ART!"

"Well, yeah, they're really cute and—" Before Douma could finish, he realized that the twins weren't there. "Hey, where did the babies go?"

Mujihi aimlessly teetered and tottered around until he saw a dark figure moving in the shadows. Curious, he followed the dark figure and watched as it slithered on all fours. "Hi," the little boy said, waving.

The dark figure paused then shuddered as it turned around, revealing a frail man covered in veins and wrinkles. A large bump was upon his head, accompanied by two curved horns.

The bump fascinated and transfixed Mujihi, so he reached out to touch it.

The demon backed away and shrouded itself in the shadows. "H-hello? Child, why must you appear behind me like that? Y-you gave me a fright!"

Rocking back and forth on the heel of his shoes, Mujihi playfully held his cheeks and laughed. "Kon'nichiwa!"

✧TRANSLATION: Rocking back and forth on the heel of his shoes, Mujihi playfully cupped his cheeks and laughed. "Hello!"

"…D-do you remember me?"

"No," the little boy said, sorrowfully shaking his head. "I don't."

Suddenly, the demon morphed into a tall, shirtless man with two large maple leaf-like fans. As he playfully juggled his fans, he said, "How about now?"

Faint memories of a man with maple leaf-like fans and another similar looking man with wings appeared in Mujihi's mind. With eyes filled to the brim with joy, excitement, and wonder, he cried, "…Yes! I do remember now!"

"Good, good. You've gotten much bigger since the last time I saw you, Prince Mujihi!"

"Yeah, Douma-san said that I was this small!" Mujihi said, holding out his tiny fist. "But I don't know if I believe him…"

"You were small, but not that small," the demon chuckled.

"Am I bigger now?"

"Yes, much bigger!"

The demon's words made all three of Mujihi's hearts leap with joy. The orange-eyed boy happily danced around until he accidentally stumbled off the floating platform. "Oh no!" he cried as he fell.

Before he hit the floor, someone caught him just in time. Mujihi slowly opened his eyes and found himself in the arms of a demon with wings.

"I'd never let you fall," the demon said, only looking ahead as they soared through the air. Then he looked at Mujihi directly and broke into a wide, excited grin, then said, "I'm Urogi, by the way!"

"…Urogi!" Mujihi gasped, awestruck.

Urogi landed on a floating platform and gently placed Mujihi down. "You'll be careful, right?"

"Yes, Urogi-san! I'll be really, really careful!" Mujihi said, nodding. "Arigatō!"

✧TRANSLATION: "Yes, Urogi-san! I'll be really, really careful!" Mujihi said, nodding. "Thank you!"

✧Mujihi wouldn't have hit the floor anyway because Muzan's aura would've protected him and acted like a forcefield. The twins are protected at all times!

Mujihi turned to find his brother so he could introduce Urogi to him but when he turned around, he saw that Urogi was gone.

Only a sound between a gasp and a whisper could escape Mujihi's lips. "Woah…"

Mugoi tiptoed and silently crept towards Douma, then shouted, "Boo!"

Douma feigned that he was startled and let out a dramatic, exaggerated shriek. Trembling, he turned to look at the child and said, "Oh, it's you! Heh, where'd you run off to?"

The golden-eyed boy looked as if he was about to say something, but realized that he didn't know where he went. He shrugged and blankly stared at Douma.

A porcelain pot inched towards them, then Gyokko popped out of it. "Boo!"

The sight made Mugoi laugh and clap his hands. "Again!" he cried.

Gyokko did his 'trick' a few more times until Mugoi said, "Yokko-san, it's my turn."

"Your turn to do what?"

"I want to go inside the pot because its big," the little boy said, his arms outstretched.

"Big? Prince Mugoi-kun, I don't think you can fit in there unless you can alter your form, hyo, hyo!"

Mugoi disregarded Gyokko words and looked over the pot's rim. "It's dark, Yokko-san."

"Yes, because it's a pot."

The golden-eyed boy leaned even further to look deeper inside the pot. "It's my turn, Yokko- san. Please."

"Alright, suit yourself." Gyokko jumped out of his pot in his humanoid form and stretched. "Hey, it's been a while since I've been out like this!"

Mugoi looked inside the pot and saw nothing but a deep, dark abyss. He put his tiny hand inside and found that the rest of him couldn't fit. "Oh no," he whimpered, persistent. "Yokko-san, help me."

"Mugoi," a disembodied, resonate voice boomed from above. "Stop it."

The golden-eyed boy obeyed and sadly withdrew, a pitiful expression upon his face. Then he sorrowfully held his head down and said, "I can't go inside the pot."

"Yes, of course you couldn't, but that's okay," Gyokko said. "You're a precious masterpiece and that's all that matters."

Mugoi raised his arms high in the air and rocked back and forth on the heel of his shoes. "Yokko-san!"

"You want me to pick you up?" Gyokko asked, bemused.

The little boy nodded.

Cautious, Gyokko carefully took the small child into his arms. He didn't recall the last time he held a child or know if he ever did, but made sure as to not harm his Masters' precious children.

Gyokko's face was filled to the brim with uncertainty but when Mugoi rested his head against his chest, he knew that he was doing something right.

"Aw, look at Gyokko and the baby!" Douma obnoxiously sobbed, wiping tears from his eyes. "What a match!"

"How come he gets to hold the baby?" Gyutaro grumbled under his breath.

Pouting, Mugoi lifted his head and said, "I'm not a baby."

"Huh? Then what are you?" Gyokko asked, chuckling.

With vertical slit pupils and sharp, perked up ears, Mugoi said, "I'm an oni."

"But you're also a baby."

"No, I'm an oni."

"How about a baby oni?"

The golden-eyed boy contemplated upon his words, then nodded. "Okay!"

Mujihi approached Daki and tugged at the hem of her dress, giggling.

Daki gasped when she saw a pair of orange mesmerizing eyes that seemed to pull her in, then instinctively looked away and patted his head. "Not this time, mister."

The orange-eyed boy frowned then approached Gyutaro, who was leaning against a wall and twirling one of his scythes. "Hi," Mujihi said, never taking his eyes off the sharp weapon.

Gyutaro stopped twirling his scythe and said, "Hey, kid."

"Whatever you do, don't look into his eyes," Daki laughed. "That one's a trickster."

"Huh? What'll happen?" Gyutaro crouched to Mujihi's level and looked directly into his eyes. The boy's orange eyes were beautiful and mesmerizing, but nothing happened. "…Uh, is something supposed to happen? Because I don't feel a thing."

A shocked, perplexed expression was plastered upon Daki's face as she said, "What? But last time, he— Never mind."

Mujihi left, then returned with four building blocks lettered 'D,' 'A,' 'K,' and 'E.' The little boy held them out to her, beckoning her to take them.

Daki took the building blocks lettered 'D,' 'A,' 'K,' then frowned at the one lettered 'E.' "Prince Mujihi, I need an 'I' instead of an 'E.'"

The orange-eyed boy shook his head at her request.

"Hm? Why I can't have the letter 'I?'"

"Because I need two of them and Mugoi needs one, too."

"Oh, you're right! How could I forget?" she dramatically gasped. "Well, I guess there's nothing we can do."

Mujihi brainstormed with all his might, then left and returned with a building block lettered 'L.' He covered the 'L's' bottom with his small finger and said, "This is an 'L,' but it can be an 'I' for you, Daki-san!"

And Daki smiled.

Once he was satisfied and had enough of being held, Mugoi looked around and saw a mysterious woman sitting cross-legged on a ledge, frozen.

The woman had a pale grayish complexion and her dark hair covered most of her face except for her lips, which were painted red. She wore a plain dark purple kimono and held a strange instrument that looked similar to a lute.

The golden-eyed boy questionably looked at the instrument in her hands, then at her veiled face. After a few moments, he gathered the courage to pluck a string.

Suddenly, a fusama door with a painting of waterfalls and bonsai appeared before them.

"It alters the fortress," the woman said monotonously.

Even though her outward appearance looked to be emotionless and indifferent, Nakime's heart was pounding through her chest. To be in such a close proximity to one of her Sovereigns' children gave her such an ineffable sense of joy and she didn't know how to react.

Mugoi plucked another string, which made the door vanish and caused some staircases to shift. Once he was pleased with his work, he said, "Arigatō. Bye-bye." Then the little boy walked away.

✧TRANSLATION: Mugoi plucked another string, which made the door vanish and caused some staircases to shift. Once he was pleased with his work, he said, "Thank you. Bye-bye." Then the little boy walked away.

---

KAIGAKU

Kaigaku isolated himself from the other demons and gazed into the darkness above. Because he wasn't fond of children, he decided not to interact with the twins and only stayed out of respect for his superiors.

Suddenly, he sensed that he was being watched but turned to see nothing.

Huh? But I could've sworn that I—

"Oh, shi— I mean, shoot!" Kaigaku gasped when he looked down to see two little boys staring at him. "Y-you scared— You just surprised me, that's all."

Mugoi and Mujihi continued blanky staring at him, which made Kaigaku uncomfortable. "…Huh? What do you want?"

After what felt like an eternity, Mugoi pointed at one of Kaigaku's necklaces.

"My necklace? What about it? Look, I'm not giving you my necklace."

Mujihi took a bell out of his pocket and held it out to him. The bell was tinted gold and gleamed with an iridescent light.

"I'm… not understanding what you two want. What does a bell have to do with me?"

Mugoi reached in his pocket and pulled out a silver bell that shined with an iridescent light as well. The two little boys held their bells out to Kaigaku, who still didn't understand what they meant.

Then it hit him.

"…Oh, you want something like a string to tie it to yourselves?"

The twins broke into wide grins and nodded.

"I… I think that I have a few strings on me," Kaigaku said as he searched through his pockets.

Soon, he found two strings and tied the bells on the children. Mugoi's bell was tied to his wrist, and Mujihi's bell was tied to his right ankle.

"There," Kaigaku said. "How's that?"

Giggling, the twins happily admired their bells and danced around. As they dashed away, they said in unison, "Thank you, Gaku!"

"It's Kai-gaku!" Kaigaku shouted after them, reluctantly feeling an internal sense of warmth. Then he turned to leave and spotted Douma watching at him from afar. "Douma, what the heck do you want now?"

With eyes as wide as saucers, Douma approached him and said, "Kaigaku-dono, you've… changed. I like it!" Then he happily pranced away.

Now alone, Kaigaku stared at his jittering, shaky hands, bewildered.

I've… changed? What the hell does that even mean? I feel the same. Yeah, things have gotten better, but nothing has changed. I don't get it.

…I guess I'm not meant to understand.

---

MUJŌNA

In a ryokan-like chamber, Muzan and Mujōna sat across from each other at a table. A bouquet of red roses sat between them and lamp hung above them, its warm lighting filling the room.

The Demon Lord held his wife's hand within his palm, his fingers tracing and lingering against her flesh. A burning desire to take her into his arms and hold her until the end of time threatened to overwhelm, but he held perfectly still. "Those earrings and hairpins," he began, never taking his eyes off her. "I have to say that… I was surprised you decided to wear those."

The diamond and ruby earrings with matching hairpins were a mating gift from Muzan. He gave them to her right after she became Queen, but Mujōna deemed them too 'rare, exquisite, and beautiful' to wear, so she never wore them.

Until today.

Not even a sound or a whisper could escape Mujōna's lips, but her scarlet eyes spoke for her instead. And her eyes were saying everything and anything along the lines of, 'I love you, Muzan.'

Muzan took a quick, delicate sip of sake then said, "What are your demands?"

The Queen pulled herself out of the endless, mesmerizing depths of her husband's plum red eyes and composed herself. "…I want Nakime's overseeing ability to be completely removed," she replied, briefly looking away.

"Why?"

"Because Kamabisushii is better suited to monitor the fortress."

"Nakime has handled this entire dimension for centuries and she does it well."

"Kamabisushii will surely rise to the occasion and handle this dimension. Nakime may stay at her post and continue her work, but I want her overseeing ability to be taken away."

Muzan rhythmically tapped his sharp, blue claws upon the table and held her unrelenting gaze, then conceded. "…Very well."

"Also, I want Kokushibou's overseeing powers to be taken away as well," she said.

"Fine. Anything else?"

With a blank, inexpressive face, Mujōna said, "You must promise to give me some of your blood and allow me to use your powers whenever I ask, even though I'm certain that I won't ask at all."

"I thought you didn't want to use my powers anymore," Muzan said smugly, smirking. "Darling, what was that thing you used to say? Ah, yes: 'I'll generate enough energy to become my own power source, so I won't have to leech off you any longer.' Mujōna, what happened to that?"

The Demon Lord's taunting words and mocking tone made her blood boil. Whenever he had the chance, Muzan made sure to remind her that he was her superior. Not only was he considerably stronger and more powerful than her, but his blood was purer and more concentrated as well.

In truth, if Muzan had his way, he wouldn't let Mujōna rule and have her stay in the Eien no Kyūden forever, boring him more children.

And that terrified her.

It's not being a wife and having more children that scares me. It's being confined, locked away and reduced to a mere common housewife. The greatest affront one could do to another is give them power and make them unable to exert it.

With my help, he has already achieved his dreams. Its only right for him to step aside and let me achieve mine.

The Queen rested her chin against her palm and said, "Be mindful of the things you say, Muzan. Underestimating me is a grave mistake. Anyway, I need you to step back and let me do my work. You've ruled over this realm for centuries and now… it's my turn."

"I didn't expect anything less from you, Mujōna," he said, chuckling darkly. "I'll keep my distance and let you do as you please, but I must intervene when necessary. This is a mandatory requirement you must agree to."

"…Agreed," she sighed, pouting.

"Now, let's discuss my demands, shall we? Firstly, you must prioritize our children. You must assist me in bathing them, feeding them, reading to them, and tucking them in at night."

"Of course, Muzan. That's a guarantee."

"And whenever you feel exhausted and require slumber, you must return to me."

"Hm? What for?"

"So, you can recuperate by my side," Muzan replied, purring internally. "I find watching you sleep to be… delightful."

Upon hearing that, all seven of Mujōna's hearts fluttered and the anger she felt for him faded away. It seemed like Muzan Kibutsuji always knew what to say and when to say it; his words were sweet, right, and true.

"A few years ago… the Sumāto woman said that you'd get pregnant in a few years, yes?"

"Yes, she did, Muzan," Mujōna replied, looking at her sharp, white claws.

"Well, it's about that time…"

"I suppose."

The Demon Lord frowned and said, "What do you mean, 'you suppose?'"

"It means what it means, Muzan. 'I suppose' it's about time for us to expect another child."

"Well, in that case, you must return to me every night," he said, taking another sip of sake.

"Every night?"

"Yes. Every night."

"Why?"

Muzan sighed and said, "Must I say it aloud, Mujōna? In order to ensure your pregnancy, I must take you each and every night. Did you seriously think that we'd stop at two?"

Aroused, Mujōna's breath quickened and delightful shivers ran down her spine. The mere idea of being dominated and indulging in carnal desires every night with the strongest being alive, the very man she loved, made her soul rejoice and folds glisten.

"And as soon as I get even the slightest inkling that you're pregnant, we're leaving and returning to the palace," he said. "Do you understand, Mujōna?"

"…Y-yes," she whispered, her nipples hardening.

The Demon Lord took his wife's hand and kissed it, his cool breath skimming across her skin.

Tingles.

Chills.

Shivers.

Just as Mujōna was about to melt into a puddle of arousal, Douma burst through the curtains.

"Excuse me, Your Lordship and Ladyship, I—" Douma paused to repeatedly dodge an array of slash projectiles Muzan shot at him. The slash projectiles were razor-sharp and tore through the chamber's wall with ease, obliterating everything in their path.

Once he successfully dodged all of the attacks, Douma gave a dramatic bow and kneeled before them. "Your Lordship and Ladyship, I almost forgot to tell you!"

"To tell us what?" Mujōna asked, curious.

"To tell you that I have a present for you, Lady Mujōna!" he heartily laughed, twirling one of his fans. "It's at my temple."

As she stood up and tided herself, Mujōna said, "I'd love to see it, Douma."

Muzan banged his fist upon the table and glared at him, his eyes set ablaze. "What did I tell you insolent fools about giving gifts to each other, let alone to I, my wife, and children?" he snarled, baring his fangs. "Is professionalism what you lack, or is it a brain?"

Douma jabbed his finger into his skull and shoved it in and out, squelching noises filling the room. "…There's fleshy tissue where a brain should be, so… Yeah, I think I lack professionalism."

Mujōna hid her face behind her folding fan and let out a beautiful, melodious laugh. "Douma, promise me that you'll never stop being you," she giggled, amused.

"Of course, My Lady. I'll never change, especially when it's your happiness involved! You know, ever since you came, it's been really amazing. I've always wanted to tell you that but never had a chance as good as this one. The least I can do for you is show you what I've had made for you."

The Queen looked to her husband, who was fuming and seething. The lamp above him flickered and violently swayed due to his gradually intensifying rage.

"My Love, may I?" she asked, batting her long eyelashes.

"You may," Muzan gutturally growled through clenched fangs, the area around him darkening.

The ryokan-like chamber began to rumble and quake, and the lamp's bulb burst, its sparks flying through the air. Cracks ran along the floor and walls, splitting the surfaces in two.

It looked like the entire room was destroying itself.

Pieces of the ceiling and wood fell and rained upon the ground, but not even a speck of debris came near Mujōna.

Douma, on the other hand, was being bombarded and pelted with it. "Oh, He's in a bad mood again, huh? Well, it looks like it's time to leave. After you, My Lady."

---

MUGOI & MUJIHI

Out of the corner of his eye, Mugoi saw a man with a grayish complexion and red eyes. The man had drums protruding from his shoulders and abdomen.

The golden-eyed boy approached him and stared at his drums, amazed. "Wow…"

"K-Kon'nichiwa," the demon stammered, barely more than a whisper.

✧TRANSLATION: "H-hello," the demon stammered, barely more than a whisper.

"Hi, I am Mugoi," the little boy said, bashfully holding his head down with his hands behind his back. "I… I like your bongos."

"T-these are— they're taikos. They're called… taikos."

"Ooohhh," Mugoi said, a beautiful smile spreading across his freckled face. "I like them a whole lot."

"…I—I haven't told you my name, have I? I am Kyogai, Lower Moon—" Before he could finish, the little boy timidly poked his drum then ran away, giggling.

Flustered, Kyogai's cheeks reddened with embarrassment.

And at the fact that Mugoi liked his drums.

Mujihi walked through a few doors and spotted a few Lower Moons in a corner. One was a woman with white hair and two horns, another was a middle-aged man with dark purple hair, and the other was a man with sharp, pointed ears and scars that looked like an 'X' on his face.

Upon seeing him, the demons gasped and showered him with tons of affection.

"Gosh, he's so cute!"

"Look at how small he is!"

"Aw!"

"I've never seen a human child come anywhere close."

Blushing, Mujihi bowed and introduced himself. "Kon'nichiwa, I'm Mujihi. What are your names?"

✧TRANSLATION: Blushing, Mujihi bowed and introduced himself. "Hello, I'm Mujihi. What are your names?"

"My name is Mukago," the white-haired woman said, smiling.

"Rokuro," the middle-aged man with dark purple hair gravelly said.

The man with the 'X' shaped scars knelt to Mujihi's level and said, "I'm Wakuraba-san."

The orange-eyed seemed to like his scars and touched them. "Ooohhh," he whispered, amazed. "Hold me, please, Wakuraba-san!"

Wakuraba happily obliged and picked Mujihi up. The orange-eyed boy squeezed Wakuraba's ear with one hand and chewed his fist.

"The Purebloods… are magnificent!" Rokuro exclaimed.

"Surely all that our Queen and His Lordship create is amazing," Mukago added. "Only they have the power to create children like these."

Suddenly, the lesser demons paused when they sensed another presence approaching. A young man with a pale complexion and short black-to-red hair walked towards them. He wore a long, black button-up coat and had ringed blue eyes with the kanji for 'Lower Moon One' on his left pupil.

Mukago, Rokuro, and Wakuraba immediately tensed and froze at the man's mere presence. Just as Wakuraba slowly moved to put Mujihi down, the man said, "No, no, you can continue. I only wanted to show my face and catch a glimpse of the little one."

Smiling, the man looked directly at Mujihi and said, "Prince Mujihi-kun, it is a pleasure to meet you. I am Enmu."

Mujihi abruptly stopped chewing his fist, then nonchalantly resumed, indifferent.

Enmu chuckled to himself and smiled at the sight. "You look very charming and handsome today, Prince Mujihi-kun. That suit of yours is well-made. You like dragons, I take it?"

Mujihi stopped chewing his fist and broke into a wide grin. "I don't like dragons and my brother has birds. I wanted to take my Otōsan's suit because of the fancy swirls, but he gave me this instead. If he shrinks his clothes, then maybe I can wear it."

"Well, if you're not fond of dragons, then perhaps you'll like tigers," Enmu suggested.

Upon hearing that, Mujihi's eyes widened beyond belief and he let out a playful squeal. "Tigers! I know what kind of suits I want now; ones with tigers! Amu-san, thank you!"

Enmu gave a dramatic bow and said, "You're very welcome, Prince Mujihi-kun."

"Amu-san, you have to see my brother's suit. He has birds, but don't touch his hair because I'll have to bite you," Mujihi said with pursed lips. "Wakubaba-san, please let me down."

Wakuraba gently placed Mujihi down and watch as the little boy guided Enmu out of the room.

"Follow me so we can find him together, Amu-san!" Mujihi said to Enmu, their voices fading away. "But I have to wash my hands first."

Now alone, Mukago, Rokuro, and Wakuraba looked at each other, dumbfounded.

"…Enmu has experience with kids?" Rokuro whispered, shocked.

---

RUI

As he sat alone in a dark, unlit room, a million thoughts raced through Rui's mind. He stared into space with a face void of emotion, feeling an incessant, panging ache in his heart.

And that ache was the very same ache he had felt since his parents' demise.

When Muzan announced that Mujōna and the twins would arrive, Rui felt restless and on edge. The idea of seeing the very woman he tried so hard to get out of his mind made him feel nauseous.

To Rui, Mujōna was motherly in every way, shape, and form, and that enthralled him deeply. Ever since he met her, he had always felt the desire to reach out and touch her, but she was always too far away. That distance only intensified when she became pregnant.

Rui remembered how content Muzan and Mujōna were whenever they were together. He recalled how Muzan's eyes and face would soften whenever he held one of his children or was around his wife. For a man like the Progenitor of Demons to act in such a way only made Rui's yearning grow even stronger.

Rui had a hunger for a familial bond that was so true, it was tangible.

Love.

Happiness.

Connection.

Family.

Visions and memories of the 'family' he once had before appeared in Rui's mind, which made him clench his fists. To the very end, Rui believed that none of them fulfilled their roles and deemed them useless.

So, he sat there alone, isolated, and scared like a child engulfed in the darkness of night. He always had his guard up and hid his true emotions, so he kept a stoic, detached composure at all times. Although practically everything about Rui was bleak, desolate, barren, and cold, if one looked into his eyes deep enough, they'd see a tinge of sorrow.

This feeling of emptiness will never go away, will it? I just want someone to protect me… Someone to hold me and tell me everything will be alright…

The sound of soft approaching footsteps and the presence of two other demons drew Rui out of the depths of his mind. Judging by their foreign scent, he knew that the two demons were the Purebloods.

Rui turned and saw two little boys who looked to be about three years old. "Kon'nichiwa," they said in unison.

✧TRANSLATION: Rui turned and saw two little boys who looked to be about three years old. "Hello," they said in unison.

The twins seemed to look at him differently because he looked like a child, too. They smiled and sat beside him.

"I am Mugoi," the golden-eyed boy said.

"And I'm Mujihi," the orange-eyed boy said.

"What's your name?" they asked in unison.

"Rui," Rui replied.

Mujihi's eyes suddenly widened and lit up, then he said, "Your name is cool because… because it starts with an 'R!'"

"Yeah. Me, Mujihi, my mom, and my dad's name start with an 'M.' And it goes like, 'Moo,'" Mugoi said, imitating the sound of a cow.

The twins burst into laughter and Rui couldn't help but join them as well. As they talked about nothing and everything at once, Rui felt himself growing attached. He knew that it wouldn't be wise to do such a thing, but found that he couldn't stop it.

Soon, it was time for the twins to leave. They both stood up and Mugoi said, "We have to go now, Rui."

"We really like you!" Mujihi exclaimed. "We have to play one day. You— You should come play with us!"

"Play?" Rui asked, stunned. "What would… we do?"

"My dad gave us lots of toys," Mugoi said, his arms outstretched. "We could play with the blocks and… and I have a magic cube!"

"A magic cube?"

The orange-eyed boy nodded and said, "Yeah, Mugoi has a magic box, but I don't like it."

Mugoi playfully covered his mouth and said something that was terribly muffled and indistinct. The only things Rui could make out were, 'Boom, boom,' 'Ravager,' and 'Bongos.'

"Mugoi, we have to hurry!" Mujihi laughed, taking his brother's hand and rushing away. "Goodbye, Rui!"

"Good… bye," Rui whispered, feeling a reluctant twinge in his blackened heart.

---

MUGOI & MUJIHI

Mugoi and Mujihi returned to the Upper Moons and conversed and played around until they heard bells tolling in the distance, which could only mean one thing—

Their two hours was up.

Suddenly, a nursemaid with amber eyes, horizontal pupils, and a horn jutting from her forehead appeared. She wore typical maid attire, and her lavender hair was styled in a bun that looked like a rose with two hooped, ring-shaped bangs.

The nursemaid approached the twins and bowed before them. "Prince Mugoi and Prince Mujihi, I am Nanny Barako," she cooed, her voice soft and gentle like a quiet rain. "I need both of you to come with me."

"Otōsan wa doko?" Mugoi timidly asked.

✧TRANSLATION: "Where is my daddy?" Mugoi timidly asked.

"Your father is taking care of a few things and is currently occupied, Prince Mugoi."

"Is my Mama here?" Mujihi asked.

"I'm afraid not, Prince Mujihi. Your mother is currently occupied as well, which is why I'm here. Now, say goodbye and come with me. It's your bedtime."

Mugoi and Mujihi sorrowfully waved at the Upper Moons and said goodbye.

"Don't be sad. We'll meet again!" Gyokko exclaimed.

"Yeah, we'll be around," Gyutaro grumbled. "We have nothing better to do anyway."

Daki angrily punched his shoulder.

"Ow! I didn't mean anything bad by that."

Mugoi and Mujihi took Barako's hands and vanished in thin air.

---

MUJŌNA

Mujōna and Douma stood side by side in a lavishly decorated chamber. Items, décor, and accented furniture made of gold were all over the place.

"Welcome to my humble abode, My Lady," he said, bowing. "Well, one of them. Make yourself at home!"

"Now, you know I can't do that, Douma," she playfully teased.

A shining gold statue depicting a weeping woman caught her eye. "Lovely," Mujōna said, tracing the woman's features with her sharp, white claws. Then she turned and saw a porcelain vase that looked a lot like the pots Gyokko makes.

And in that vase was a woman's rotting severed head.

"How dreadful," she sighed. "The stench of decay fills this place." Mujōna emitted a powerful dose of miasma that smelled like roses, vanilla, and everything good.

Douma inhaled the fragrance deeply and said, "Ah, I'll never get tired of your fragrance. I've missed it!"

"Douma, where is what you have to show me?"

"Oh! Right, right. I got a little carried away, heh. Right this way, Lady Mujōna."

Douma guided Mujōna out of the chamber and to the temple's halls. As they walked through the hall, hundreds of the Eternal Paradise members formed a line on either side and prostrated themselves.

The sight pleased Mujōna greatly, so she released a subtle wave of her rapturous, intoxicating miasma.

Upon inhaling the sweet fragrance, pleasure ran down each of the members' spines. They knelt even further and the sounds of some of them silently weeping with joy was heard.

Such compliance.

Such obedience.

Such… potential.

✧Foreshadowing…

Soon, Mujōna and Douma arrived at an area that looked like an indoor zen garden with a shrine. In the center of the shrine was a figure covered by cloth.

"Are you ready, My Lady?" Douma asked.

Never taking her eyes off the golden, saintly decorations on the shrine, Mujōna said, "Yes."

Douma released a chilly gust of wind from his fan and unveiled the figure, revealing a statue. The statue depicted a naked woman sitting on her knees, cradling two infants.

The Queen approached the statue and stared at it, silent with an unreadable expression.

Pouting, he sighed, "I hope you like it. My disciples worked really hard on it. Apparently, it's hard to make a statue of a woman you've never seen in person. I thought a drawing was enough and they insisted that it wasn't but assured me that they could do it. Now that I look at it, the drawing didn't capture your true beauty."

Mujōna analyzed the infant with a small tuft of curly hair. The infant's face wasn't visible, as he was being held close to his mother's bosom. Then she longingly traced both of the infants' and inwardly smiled to herself.

"…Destroy it," she whispered, her fingers running across the statue's polished marble.

Upon hearing that, Douma tilted his head and said, "Hm? Destroy it, you say? I understand! Apologies for presenting you with a horrid statue, My Lady. I'll destroy it right away."

Just as he raised his golden fan to slash the statue until nothing but dust remained, Mujōna said, "It's not a horrid statue, actually. I find it to be beautiful and I'm actually quite fond of it."

Douma questionably tilted his head and said, "Then why must it be destroyed?"

"Think of it as an… an awakening; a dawn. A New Beginning, if you will," she whispered, then she moved out of the way.

Although Douma didn't understand what she meant, he nodded and obliged anyway. He released a powerful gust of razor-sharp ice shards that completely destroyed the statue upon contact.

As rubble went flying through the air and white, cloudy dust filled the area where the statue once stood, Mujōna watched the spectacle from afar with a faint smile upon her face.

Yes… I know what I must do now.

✧I AM SO FUCKING EXCITED; YOU HAVE NO IDEA.

---

SUNŌ

To get her mind off things, Sunō went to the kitchen and ordered her favorite dessert; dorayaki. She sat at a bay window and admired the view, which was an endless sea with rolling tides underneath an elaborate sunset.

She concentrated on plethora of colors in the sky and the taste of her dessert with all her might, but the handsome grey-eyed demon appeared in her mind anyway.

"Men like Kama will drain you dry until there's nothing left. Do not romantically involve yourself with him ever in your life."

But I thought that he was different… I know that he's a demon, but he doesn't seem like that at all! I just can't believe that I almost… that I almost—

Suddenly, Sunō felt a familiar warm, tingling sensation upon her cheek.

M-my marking is glowing! That means… that means—

That means that Lady Mujōna is here!

Sunō quickly devoured the rest of her dorayaki, then went to find Mujōna. Her snowflake marking gave her pleasurable, euphoric sensations as she neared Mujōna's location, guiding her.

Soon, she reached an unknown area with nothing but a lone door, her marking pulsing and throbbing with anticipation upon her cheek. The tingling sensation emitting from her mark was so pleasurable and great, she felt as if she'd faint.

Lady Mujōna is here; I feel Her presence!

Sunō opened the door and found a misty realm with indistinct shapes in the distance. The fog moved out of the way, revealing a bridge over vast waters that led to a temple.

The pink-eyed human rushed across the bridge and went through the temple's door that opened on its own. There, she saw Mujōna.

The Queen wore a black and red jūnihitoe, the train of her dress sprawled around her. Her long, waist-length hair was straightened and descended her back, which was a style Sunō had never seen Mujōna have before.

O-oh my God… She's just so beautiful! It's like she got even prettier!

Mujōna covered half of her face with her sleeve and beckoned Sunō to approach her. "Come to me, Sunō," she cooed.

Sunō eagerly approached and prostrated herself before her. "Lady Mujōna, I'm so happy you've finally returned!" she cried.

With a sharp, white claw, Mujōna pointed to her lap.

Sunō obeyed and sat between her legs, warmth emanating from the many layers of Mujōna's dress. A floral, saccharine scent wafted around her, and she inhaled it deeply and immediately felt even more at ease. "Ah…"

The pink-eyed human felt a subtle pull and leaned back, resting her head against Mujōna's bosom. The sweet fragrance grew even stronger as she fell through the depths of her mind that were only filled with Mujōna.

Obey Mujōna.

Please Mujōna.

Worship Mujōna.

One would think that these thoughts were maliciously put in her head by force, but Sunō wholeheartedly believed these things on her own accord.

How could you not want to devote yourself to a goddess that took you in with open arms? How could you not want to worship a goddess with divine powers that took you under her wing and promised to mold you into strong, confident woman?

How could you not?

Sunō fell limp in Mujōna's grasp, the many layers of her jūnihitoe wrapping around her like a cocoon. The pink-eyed human knew that she was slowly losing the ability to move, but didn't care because this was the safest she had ever felt in her entire life.

The soft, reassuring touch of Mujona's long and delicate hands underneath her chin made her release a soft moan. She met Mujōna's scarlet eyes and smiled with a dazed expression, the world fading around them.

"I've missed you… so much," Sunō mewled, losing all sense of self.

And dignity.

The Queen impossibly pulled Sunō even closer to her and made her sit upright, which sent pleasurable chills down the human's spine.

A white-haired female demon wearing a black kimono with gold flower embroidery that looked just like Sunō's appeared and kneeled beside Mujōna. A jeweled comb resting upon a pillow was in her hands.

"Thank you, Hikiharau," Mujōna said, taking the comb. Then she began to comb Sunō's hair as she hummed a dulcet, familiar melody.

Another white-haired female demon that looked identical to the other one appeared and sat behind Mujōna. Then she and her identical twin sister began to comb Mujōna's hair in unison.

After felt like a blissfully peaceful eternity of silence, Mujōna said, "Sunō?"

"Yes, Lady Mujōna?"

"Tell me everything that happened during my absence."

Sunō told her practically everything that happened over the last two and a half years, refusing to leave out even the smallest detail. Endless information poured out of her mouth like a waterfall, and all five of Mujōna's brains readily consumed and digested it.

The way Sunō told everything to Mujōna wasn't much different than how a spy would to their boss.

When Sunō stumbled upon Kamabisushii's name, Mujōna's scarlet eyes lit up. "Sunō, even though you've been warned, it seems like you still adore the gentleman. Are you truly infatuated with him, by any chance?"

A shocked, astonished expression crossed the pink-eyed human's face as she said, "Who, me? No, of course not! At least I don't think so… Oh, Lady Mujōna, I don't know! Please tell me what I should do!"

"Sunō, only you truly know what you should do. This is your life and your choice, and you should always follow your heart. If you know that you are falling for him, then accept it and see if he feels the same."

"Yes, My Lady. Of course," Sunō trailed as she relaxed even further into Mujōna's chest, the ability to move gradually returning through her veins. Then her eyes opened impossibly wide when she recalled the strange feeling she has felt for the past two and a half years.

The feeling that told her that someone loved her.

Or used to.

"…Lady Mujōna?"

"Yes, my dear Sunō?"

"C-can I tell you about something that's been bothering me for a while?"

"Of course."

Gulping, Sunō said, "I've been feeling this way for a while… I can't really describe what it's like but it kind of feels like something deep down is… is telling me that I love someone and that they love me. D-does that make any sense?"

Mujōna came to an abrupt halt and stopped brushing Sunō's hair.

"I was talking to Kamabisushii earlier and he mentioned that it might be an old flame and it had me thinking… Lady Mujōna, do you believe in reincarnation? What if that's what's—"

Before Sunō could finish, Mujōna grabbed her chin and made her look at her directly. A dark, ominous expression that filled Sunō with fear and dread was upon her face. She had never seen Mujōna look at her in such a way and was petrified. "L-Lady Mujōna, why are you—"

"Silence," the Queen boomed in a voice that didn't belong to her. This voice wasn't alluring and melodious like it was before; this voice was dark and menacing with bitter cruelty at the tip of her tongue.

The layers of Mujōna's jūnihitoe wrapped around her like a cocoon again but this time it wasn't comfortable; it was painful. The silken layers threatened to squeeze the life out of her and something told Sunō that if her head was encased as well, she'd suffocate.

"Lady Mujōna, w-why are you hurting me?" Sunō sobbed hysterically, tears steaking her face.

The silken layers encased Sunō into a cocoon to her neck, and she screamed as she violently jerked and thrashed around, but to no avail. Her movement and cries quickly came to an end when she inadvertently inhaled a dose of toxic, mind-numbing miasma.

The miasma was the sweetest, most heavenly scent she had ever smelled, but its effects were harmful. The word around her began to spin and she felt herself leaving her body. Sunō felt her body from her toes to her neck becoming numb and quickly found that her body wouldn't respond to her anymore.

I… I can't move at all!

S-someone… Help me…

Please.

In a disoriented haze, Sunō pitifully looked up and saw three Mujōna's looming above her, one clearer than the others. "So, you've broken the curse?" she said, her voice echoing through her mind.

"A c-curse? What curse?" she strained to say, breathless. The cocoon grew impossibly tighter, its silk threads scrapping against her flesh from within and drawing blood. Sunō let out pained, anguished cries and incoherently begged for forgiveness, weakly yet violently shaking her head. "I-I'M SORRY, I'M SORRY, I'M SORRY, I AM S-SORRY, I'M SORRY, I'M S-SORRY, LADY M-MUJŌNA! WHAT DID DO? OH, WHAT D-DID I DO? P-PLEASE TELL SO I CAN— SO I CAN MAKE IT R-RIGHT! I'M SO SORRY! I'M SORRY, I-I'M SORRY, I'M S-SOR—"

An extra layer of fabric coiled around her neck and squeeze, its threads tearing into her flesh. Sunō paused as she felt blood seeping out of her wound, the pain indescribable.

Mujōna leaned in close, her duplicates combining into one. "How did you break my curse?" she asked. "That curse of mine was powerful yet you, a lowly human, broke it."

"I don't know a-anything about a c-curse, Lady M-Mujōna!" she wept, terrified. "P-pleas believe me!"

The Queen rolled her eyes and sighed, "Koyuki, you can stop your charades and trying to fool me now. I wonder, how long have you been aware of your past? Most importantly, I want to know how you've succeeded in breaking my curse. I know that you didn't have help, but you're too weak to pull off something like this alone."

"…K-Koyuki?" the pink-eyed human whispered. "W-what? I don't— I just don't understand…"

Mujōna raised a questionable eyebrow and said, "What?"

"Koyuki… You called me K-Koyuki," she murmured. "And I-I don't know w-who that is. M-my name is— My name is Sunō…"

Mujōna leaned in even closer and gazed into the human's eyes. Then a haunting, surprised look of realization filled with anger, confusion, and irritability flashed across her face, but only for a moment.

Then everything went black.

---

MUJŌNA

Mujōna stared at the fragile, unmoving human woman in her lap. She had just used her powers to make her temporarily lose consciousness.

She… She didn't break my curse. When I looked into her eyes, I found that she was telling the truth and was still under my spell.

Oh, Sunō… My mistake.

The silken layers of her jūnihitoe moved and released the human from its grasp. Mujōna observed the human woman with deep, bloodied scars all over her body and tsked. Then she gently placed her hand on her chest and used her powers to heal her completely. A white aura emanated from Mujōna's hands and surrounded the human's body, the wounds dissipating before her eyes.

Once the process was complete, Hakanai and Hikiharau returned with small, golden basin, cloths, and a black kimono with gold flower embroidery. The white-haired identical twins stripped the human of her clothes and washed her with great care.

When they finished, Mujōna's fingers danced upon the snowflake marking upon the human's cheek to erase her memory. She probed the human's mind to erase the horrific events of what had just taken place and only let her remember what happened before; sitting in Mujōna's lap and feeling at peace while her hair was being combed.

"My Sweets, she will awaken in a few moments," Mujōna said. "Continue as you were."

Hakanai and Hikiharau obeyed and made everything look just as it was before, then returned to their rightful positions on either side of her.

Moments later, Sunō groggily awakened in Mujōna's lap. She looked up to her and gasped, "…Oh, Lady Mujōna, I'm really sorry for falling asleep!"

The Queen lightheartedly laughed and said, "Its fine, my dear Sunō. I know you've had a long day and its very comforting here, yes?"

Feeling at ease, Sunō nodded and relaxed in Mujōna's lap even more. "Yes, Lady Mujōna. It was a long day."

The Queen finished combing Sunō's hair, which was shoulder-length and straight. "Lovely. You're such a beautiful woman, Sunō."

The pink-eyed human gasped and blushed at Mujōna's words. "T-thank you, Lady Mujōna," she stammered, flustered. "I-I think you're— You're very beautiful, Lady Mujōna!"

"Sunō, how would you like to see my children for its their bedtime?"

"Lady Mujōna… I'd—I'd love to!" she cheerfully exclaimed, excited. "I didn't know that they were here as well. Is His Lordship here, too?"

"Of course. He'll be preoccupied indefinitely, but you may see him."

"Oh, okay. I'm just so happy that all of you are back!"

Sunō gasped when Mujōna lovingly embraced her and kissed her cheek. The way she felt around Mujōna was no different than to how a daughter would feel with her mother.

"My children would love to see you, Sunō," Mujōna cooed. "It's almost their bedtime, so I'm afraid that it'll have to be brief, but you can practically see them anytime you want."

The pink-eyed human eagerly shook her head, filled with anticipation to meet the twins. "My Queen, I'd love to see them!"

Mujōna and Sunō walked side by side through the fortress' empty halls. The occasional servant passed by and prostrated themselves before them. Although she wouldn't admit it, Sunō was flattered and enjoyed being treated like royalty.

Soon, they arrived at a lavish area with hallways lined with sparkling bouquets of white roses. The white roses, opulent décor, and the regal Japanese with subtle baroque style made it clear that this was the Kibutsuji's residence.

They went through the lavish halls, then down a wing and saw a large, grand door. One side of the door had a crescent moon symbol, and the other had a teardrop symbol.

The door opened by itself, revealing a spacious, luxurious bedroom that was fit for royalty. Beds adorned with veils were on either side of the room and a play area was in the center.

Sunō covered her mouth and gasped when she saw two little boys wearing matching white kimonos jumping on their beds.

A small, orange-eyed boy was jumping wildly on a bed that was surrounded by mountains of plush animals. He twirled and bounced around with a large, purple teddy bear in his arms, joyously laughing and screaming at the top of his lungs.

A small, golden-eyed boy was jumping and impressively performing acrobatic tricks with a pair of socks on his hands, giggling. He paused when he saw his mother and a pink-eyed woman standing in the doorway.

No one said a word as they watched the orange-eyed boy continue to romp around, clearly in his own little world. Mujōna and Sunō quietly laughed to themselves and made sure as to not make a sound.

When Mujihi realized that he was the only one screaming and jumping on a bed, he opened his eyes and froze at the sight of his mother and an unknown woman. Then he put the oversized teddy bear down and held his heads behind his back, looking ever so innocent and pure. All he needed was a pair of white, feathered wings and a golden halo to complete the look.

The twins climbed off their beds and timidly approached them, the enticing scent of human wafting through the air. "Okāsan," they greeted in unison, bowing. Then they questionably stared at the unknown human woman, tense.

Even though Mugoi and Mujihi visited the human realm many times, they were still wary of humans. This was the first time a human was in their space like this and they didn't even know that a human was in the demon realm. To see their mother with a human in their home was a little unsettling, to say the least.

"My Sweethearts, this is Sunō," Mujōna said. "Don't be afraid because although you may not remember her, she remembers you two very well."

Sunō knelt to their level and said, "Prince Mugoi and Mujihi, you've gotten so big!"

Upon inhaling more of the human scent, Mugoi and Mujihi's dilated pupils contracted into deep, angry slits. An internal, gnawing urge that they had never felt so greatly before festered within them.

The desire to hunt.

The desire to kill.

The desire to feed on human flesh.

Mujihi made a sound that sounded like an aggravated mewl, then turned into a low, childlike growl. His fangs and claws lengthened as if he was preparing to attack.

Before he could even move, his mother picked him up. The orange-eyed boy growled and squirmed in Mujōna's arms as he kept his eyes locked on Sunō, veins creeping up to his neck.

"Koibito, take a few deep breaths for me, please," Mujōna cooed. "Sunō may be human, but she belongs here and is our friend, see?" Then she fluttered her folding fan, which made the snowflake marking upon Sunō's cheek glow and emit a powerful demonic aura.

Mugoi's pupils dilated and his breathing pattern returned to normal. The child had greater control over his demonic impulses than his brother.

Mujihi sensed the aura and immediately felt at ease and relaxed in her arms, his features returning to normal. He rested his face against his mother's bosom and looked to be dozing off.

The room was eerily quiet except for the sound of bells tolling in the distance.

Timid, Mugoi walked closer to Sunō and showed her the bell tied to his wrist.

"It's a pretty bell, Prince Mugoi," she said, unable to take her eyes off the angelic, precious child in front of her. "Thank you for showing me."

Mugoi broke into a wide grin and laughed, which took her breath away. Then he rushed to his bed and playfully buried himself under the covers, giggling. "Bye-bye!"

"I need to get this little one to bed as well," Mujōna said, referring to Mujihi, who could barely keep his eyes open. "You'll see them around, Sunō."

With a radiant, delighted smile, Sunō said, "I can't wait."

---

MUJŌNA

After Sunō was escorted out of the Kibutsuji residence and the twins were tucked in and fast asleep, Mujōna went to a balcony and summoned the members of her inner circle.

Hakanai, Hikiharau, and Kamabisushii appeared behind her, bowing. "Lady Mujōna-sama," they said in unison.

Mujōna gazed at the full moon above, her black, waist-length hair flowing in the wind.

Kamabisushii walked towards her and said, "We've finished preparation, My Lady. Phase Two will begin at your command."

The Queen looked at them directly and said, "Excellent. Once we handle the human and the fallen Demon Slayers, we may proceed. Things are changing within the two realms, for this is a new era; the Demon Era."

"Yes, Lady Mujōna-sama."

The three white-haired demons nodded and gazed at the full moon above, its light illuminating their faces. Anticipation, excitement, ecstasy, and joy rushed through their veins because they knew of what was about to come.

A new dawn.

A new world.

A New Beginning.