Me yelling in alarm wasn't necessary at all. Nothing of note happened all day, and I soon found my self being gently tapped awake by Akaza-san. "The sun has set. Let's go, Y/N." I shook myself awake and followed his lead. We made small talk as we walked, mostly just me asking and asking him questions. There's a lot of things that I do not know.
"So, it's those called Hashiras are what I should be careful of?" Apparently, the Demon Slayers are more organized than I thought. They have ranks, and the higher the rank, the higher the skill. "Basically. Though, even the lowest ranking members might be able to off you if you don't know how to fight back." I groaned at that, which Akaza-san somehow found amusing.
"I can teach you." Akaza-san offered, soft smile present on his face. I'm not going to deny the fact that Akaza-san can be scary looking, and that his tongue is almost as sharp as any blade yet I still find his presence pleasant. Maybe it's because my only other companion recently has been Muzan-sama.
I mulled over Akaza-san's offer. I have no desire to hurt and kill humans, and I've also been contemplating death for a while now. Learning to fight seemed very unnecessary to me… but the thought of dying at someone's blade made an unpleasant chill run through my spine. Maybe I do need to learn to defend myself – at least to run away when needed and to hunt stronger animals.
"I'd love that." It seems like Akaza-san liked my answer, for he went on about the technique he was going to teach me – something that won't require any weapons. He also talked about my blood demon art. "It's unique to every demon." Akaza-san went on to explain how his was called Technique Development. I honestly barely understood what it was about. The only thing that I'm kind of sure I did understand was how he is able to track his opponents by tracing their bloodlust or battle spirit.
Eventually, Akaza-san thought it'd be faster if we look for the flower separately. He went farther up the mountain, leaving me behind. I did my best and searched everywhere I could – the ground, bushes, clumps of grass. And no, the darkness of the night wasn't a problem at all. All I could find are young buds or dead flowers, not a single Blue Spider Lily in sight.
It seems like we might have to search a different mountain for it… or maybe Akaza-san has better luck than me. I decided then to look for him. However, footsteps alerted me to a new presence, followed by the smell of death. Not of human deaths that I'm getting used to, but of demons.
I felt the swish of the air near my head and jumped on instinct. In front of me stood a young man with a sword in hand. "You're the demon who slaughtered those woodcutters, huh?" He yelled accusingly. A demon slayer?
My thoughts are mixing in my head so fast that I didn't know what to do. Do I look so inhuman that it's obvious I'm a demon? I also had a strong urge to defend myself – to tell him how I've never hurt nor killed any human ever. Still, I let those murders happen. I'm guilty of it as well, right?
Another thought was swirling in my head, giving me dread. I'm about to die. I'm pretty sure it's kind of what I've wanted for a while now yet I can't stop shivering at the thought of dying. I didn't want to die. I don't want to die!
"Please don't hurt me." I pleaded. It was the only thing that I could do. Anger with murderous intent flashed in the man's eyes. "Was that how those men pleaded for their life, you monster?" Spitting at me, he raised his sword preparing to cut off my head. I remembered that there was another thing that I could do right then. Yell in alarm.
Akaza-san!
The man was taken aback and his eyes started darting around. Dropping from the trees, Akaza-san sliced off one of the man's hands, his flesh dropping heavily at his feet.
"Twelve moon!" was what the slayer said the moment he saw Akaza-san's eyes, definitely reading the sketched Upper-Rank Three on them. His face which was full of hate earlier is now decorated with fear. Still, he gritted his teeth and clutched his sword tighter with his remaining hand going for Akaza san's neck.
My companion was quicker, however, as his hand was plunged to the man's chest in the blink of an eye, spraying me with his blood. Human blood. Blood that got into my mouth. Human blood that I accidentally swallowed. It was just a small amount, yet a huge change went over my body.
I felt myself leap towards the man that I begged to spare me before his now lifeless body even hit the floor. I was in a frenzy brought on by not only the taste of blood but also by my body experiencing a suitable nourishment for the first time since my transformation.
Before I got to my target though, strong hands held on to me, pinning my arms to my back. Akaza-san was saying something, but I was too bloodthirsty to focus. Too angry at him for keeping me from my prize. With strength I didn't know I possessed, I pried my arms from his hold, letting his nails drag on my flesh in the process drawing blood.
My hunger was overpowered by my anger at that moment, and I went for Akaza san's arms. I was only able to register the surprise on his face before I felt him hit my neck and my vision started to darken at the edges. I was seething in anger till I dropped on the floor.
"You've calmed down now y/n?" Akaza-san asked, voice tinged with amusement. "Oh, gods what was... I was almost feral." Shame washed over me. I acted exactly like the monster that I was. I was not only going after the dead man – I was also ready to kill Akaza-san for daring to stop me. I can't help the fear that I felt. I was scared of myself.
"I'm sorry but I had to stop you. You go out of your way to avoid eating humans. I thought you'd like to keep it that way. However, if you really do want to try and feed on that demon slayer, I'll take you to where his body is." It was not something I expected Akaza-san to say. I was bewildered. "Why?"
He contemplated a bit before he answered. "I told you I don't eat women. I don't know why, but I can't just kill and eat women. I'd hate to lose control and do just that. I thought you'd feel the same way."
I nodded. Akaza san is a good guy. I looked him over and saw frost on his arms. "Frost? Where did that come from?" His answer was short. "You."
"Me?"
"It's your blood demon art. You have great potential. Especially with the amount of Muzan-sama's blood in you. Also, you are good at yelling in alarm." He teased. A relieved laugh escaped me at that. "Thank you, Akaza-san. I'm just... you're a great guy. I'm glad you're the one with me right now." My chest, which was full of fear and self-doubt just moments before were now filled with gratitude for the man before me.
I am so thankful he took the time to consider my feelings, and stopped me before I take a step that I'd truly regret. At my thanks, Akaza-san turned away. It was pretty dark yet I'm sure there was a light flush on his cheeks. He cleared his throat and asked me if I can go on and look for the flower. I nodded and followed him, however on my first step a blinding light hit me as fiercely as a punch.
A man with some sort of disease? His face was slowly being corrupted by it causing him to lose his eyesight. Then another man, he looks similar to the previous one. He was also being eaten alive by the disease. There was another. And another. It was an endless cycle of these men that seems to always be at death's door despite their youth.
Then there were voices of people wearing the same thing that the man - the demon slayer - was wearing, calling the diseased men Oyakata-sama. I also saw a household crest of the Ubuyashiki family. A hidden house. For some reason I know exactly where the house was located.
Akaza-san's hand on my shoulder was firm. "What's wrong?" He asked. Yellow eyes filled with worry. "I saw... had a vision. Demon slayers calling someone Oyakata-sama. He nodded. "That's their leader." Urged me to go on. "I know where he is. At least the current one." Somehow, I understood the vision. I know how that the leadership role was passed on from father to son. I know that they also move every now and then, yet somehow, I know where the base is right now.
His eyes went wide. Kneeling down, he turned his back on me. "Get on. We have to tell Muzan-sama right away." Swallowing my embarrassment, I got on Akaza-san's back. His hold on my leg was firm, and despite it seeming a little intimate, it was comfortable. After making sure I was secured on his back, Akaza-san was quick to descending the mountain.
Akaza-san was fast. I had to tuck my head onto his shoulder just to hide my face from the cold, night wind. He was so fast that I can't help but tighten my hold on his neck. What we traveled in almost two nights he finished within five hours.
Muzan-sama was not pleased we came back empty handed. But the news we delivered changed his mood right away. I wondered why he wasn't able to see my vision this time. Was the distance between us too great this time that my thoughts were hidden even from him? He answered me yes. I guess I should be mindful of my thoughts around him. "Exactly." He said.
Akaza-san was wondering about this silent conversation between Muzan-sama and I, thought before he could ask Muzan-sama gave him a task. "Akaza, summon Doma. We attack at twilight." Akaza-san nodded and went out of the room right away. I waited a bit, seeing if Muzan-sama would give me any commands. None came so I followed Akaza-san.
It was almost sunrise; how does he expect Akaza-san to summon whoever Doma was? "You're leaving now?" I asked, barely catching up to him.
"It's urgent."
"But it's almost sunrise." I can't help but worry for him. A small smile graced his lips. "I'm not going outside. I'll be going through the Infinity Castle." Another question formed in my head at that, and it seemed like Akaza-san expected it as he answered before words could even leave my lips.
"It's a little hard to explain. It'd be a lot easier to show you."
"I can go with you?" Excitement was evident on my voice. I was actually looking forward to something which hasn't happened in a while. He made sure first that I wasn't tasked to do anything before letting me accompany him. We just stood in front of a door as Akaza-san called to someone called Nakime. After a couple of seconds, the door opened and a labyrinth of endless hallways and paths was all I could see. It was almost endless! The pathways go everywhere; sideways, upside down, anyway possible.
"I can see why it's difficult to explain. I couldn't imagine something like this." I said, taking a step inside the Infinity Castle. Akaza-san nodded, falling in step with me. "Though, I should warn you about Doma. He's… despicable is too tame of a word to describe him. Regardless, stay close to me." I could tell that Akaza-san doesn't like this Doma fellow at all.
The two of us walked a bit until we came upon a platform where a biwa player sat. I wasn't able to see her face as her hair was covering it. "Your path is ready." She said, strumming the instrument on her hands. At the sound, a door slid open and Akaza-san gestured for us to go through it.
We emerged in a grand hall, finely decorated. And up front and center sat a man with hair that looks like pale gold, that reached below his shoulders. But what caught my attention the most were his eyes. They were the most beautiful pair of eyes I have ever seen, for it looks like it had every color in them. Etched on his eyes were the words Upper Rank Two. So, he's a rank higher than Akaza-san?
"Oh my! It's my favorite comrade of all!" The man – Doma – exclaimed excitedly, running towards us. The moment he entered the space within swinging distance, Akaza-san went for his face. To say I wasn't surprised and scared would be a lie. Half of Doma-san's face was just blood and mush on the floor, and what's left on his neck was half a face with a gaping wound.
"Stop playing around. Muzan-sama requires your presence tonight." It seemed like all the kindness Akaza-san has had dried up when he was speaking with Doma-san. When I turned my attention back to Doma-san, his head was already in one piece, almost as if nothing happened.
"Mmm! Nice punch there. Did you get a little stronger since we last met, Akaza-dono? Oh! Who's this?" Doma-san then turned his attention to me, sweeping up my hands in his. "Are you a new member of the Twelve Demon Moon? Hmm, nothing on your eyes? You smell odd. Like you – "
"Hands off her." Akaza-san cut him off, prying his hold off of me. "We found the base of their Oyakata-sama. We move the moment the sun sets. That's all we came to tell you." At that, Akaza-san took a hold of my wrist and pulled me along with him, back to the Infinity Castle leaving a smiling Doma behind.
"Are you okay?" I asked a still fuming Akaza. He turned, seemingly surprised at seeing me despite still holding on to my wrist. "Yes." He let go of me and turned his attention to the floor. I waited, but Akaza-san seemed to have nothing else to say about the matter. He really despises Doma-san. I wonder why?
We began walking, the pathways around us making me feel a bit dizzy. "How are you able to find your way around here, Akaza-san?" I was already lost the moment I stepped inside, so I wonder how he could wander about so confidently in it.
"Well, the biwa player you saw earlier she controls this whole place. Just tell her where you want to go and she'd lead you to it." At that, Akaza-san mentioned the place where Muzan-sama currently resides. A door slid open at the end of our path, all we had to do was walk towards it.
At the thought of going back to that place, sleepiness went through me. It's daytime now, and my activities last night sure is making me feel very tired. "Where will you go now?" I inquired, wondering if Akaza-san has a house he goes home to. He shrugged. "You should stay with us. The sun is out already, and you're needed back by night time too, anyway.
Did I really just asked a man to sleepover? Heat crept up my cheeks due to the embarrassment that was flooding my chest. I stole a glance at Akaza-san and his pale cheeks had a pink tinge to them. "I'm sure Muzan-sama wouldn't mind! And, uh, the house is too big with so many empty rooms. I'm sure you can find one where the sunlight won't peek through!"
He nodded, a soft "of course." escaped his lips.
I woke up to obnoxious laughter. Doma-san? Bracing myself, I took a peek outside and saw the orange-tinged sky. Sunset, just about time. The four of us made our way back into the Infinity Castle, Doma-san making weird comments every now and then; like how he'd love to gouge out his own eyeballs or rip off his skin. The biwa player was seated where she was early this morning. It made me wonder if she moves from the spot at all.
"Y/N, tell her the location," Muzan-sama commanded, my body springing into action right away. I told the biwa woman the location from my vision, and a door slid open.
We emerged at a huge garden; a small koi pond situated at a corner. Muzan-sama made his way inside, the two other men following him.
"Kibutsuji Muzan." A voice croaked. It was weak, yet comforting; soft, yet commanding.
"You look pathetic." Muzan-sama sneered. The man was calm, and he tried to sit up despite his body's protest. A young girl suddenly appeared at his side. Huh, I didn't notice her.
"There is no one else in the house," Akaza-san reported. "Hmm, no guards? That's easier for us. And that girl looks so tasty too!" Doma-san added, grossing out both Akaza-san and me.
"This doesn't mean you win." The sick man said, blind eyes looking up at Muzan-sama. For a moment Muzan-sama looked like he was going to say something, but decided against it.
His hand moved in a flash and then the sick man's head rolled to the ground. The little girl's followed soon after.
This was my fault.
I could feel Muzan-sama's joy vibrating off of him. Does the man called Oyakata-sama's death means the end of the demon slayers? I was still pondering this thought when I felt Muzan-sama's firm grip on my shoulders. It was only then that I noticed neither Akaza-san nor Doma-san was still with us.
A smile – for once – was on Muzan-sama's handsome face. He praised me for a job well done. "Of course, with that man's heir being able to escape means those slayers would still be around. However, his death with be followed by grief. We've shaken their core and their morale. You've been very useful. You deserve a reward." He smiled, and an overwhelming need to kneel before him went through me.
A sudden pain on my eyes hit me – it was like my eyes are being slashed by a thousand needles! But it was gone as quickly as it came. A mirror appeared before me, held up proudly by Muzan-sama. I saw myself looking back at me… with words sketched on my eyes the same way Akaza-san's and Doma-san's ranks were.
"Seventh Moon?"