If you are there beside me
Like dark turning into day
Somehow we'll come through
Now that I've found you
Love will find a way
I guess everyone missed me. I never realized how much I was loved so much.
Sorashi chuckled to herself as she cuddled Akasei in her arms. Said demon baby was sucking on her fingers, his tiny fang buds nibbling on them. She kissed his head, making him coo softly. Fuyuka was snuggled on her waist, her legs sprawled off the side of the futon. The white haired child was apparently her second born, whom she had with Douma apparently.
She ripped him a new one and kicked his head off. Not in front of Fuyuka, but she made sure he suffered gravely.
Hotaru, her firstborn, was currently spread across her legs. Her stoic child was actually smiling as she held her hand in hers. Sorashi felt bad that she was left all alone without her mother to guide her. Bashira was a godsend alongside Nakime, both of them raising her right. She had been told that Hotaru had both poison claws and used strings in combat too. Her eldest was a fighter and a leader.
Sorashi turned to the side to see the sleeping forms of her other adopted children. All of them were snuggled at certain points on her body; Daki and Gyutaro hugged her waist with Fuyuka, Rui was by her head, Susamaru slept on a futon beside her, holding her ball in her arms, and Yahaba snoozed by her left side, his hand eyes closed. There was only one slight problem with everyone staying on her room.
"Enmu, what on Earth are you doing in the corner over there?" Sorashi whispered, seeing the pale faced demon sitting down and staring at her.
"Sorry my queen~! I'm just so happy that you're back." Swinging his legs over the chair, he leaned over to smile at her. "I couldn't even read your dreams since there was something blocking them. It was as if a dust cloud had covered your mind. For once..."He paused, frowning a bit. "I was scared because you weren't dreaming."
There was silence for a second. Only the sounds of the cooing baby Akasei, who had awoke to play with her mother's hair. Sorashi knew how sadistic Enmu could be, but seeing him actually looking scared surprised her. Normally he would be laughing at the demise of people in his dreams. Knowing that she did not dream made her slightly disturbed.
"Oh Enmu, you really cease to amaze me. I do think that things are going to be very different from now on." She eyed him, shifting her arms to allow Akasei to crawl over her face. "I'm going to spend time with my children and even adopt more. The next generation is here and I am not going to live forever. Time for me to make sure this next line isn't full of hatred and loathing for humanity."
Enmu shrugged, chuckling to himself. "You still have that notion in your mind huh?"
"It never left my head. I promise that I will bridge the gap between humans and demons even if it kills me."
Hotaru hummed to herself as she walked down the worn path she had taken for years.
Today was cloudy, cloudy enough for her to walk without burning her skin. Donning her human disguise, Hotaru wore a new kimono that her mother had made for her. It was a pretty purple number with plum petals adorned on them and the matching pale purple sandals were soft and squishy. A small bag full of poisonous flowers were in her hands as she had gotten up early to gather some for experimentation. Muzan had told her in order to perfect her poison techniques, she would need to be immune to most plants, especially wisteria. Doesn't help that she also visits Tamayo on certain weekends to use her lab to make these ingestible poisons. The other bag she had in her hands were that of some onigiri that Sorashi had made for her. Like her mother, she never ate humans and enjoyed the special cooking that came from the garden she owned. These onigiri were laced with her love and made into the shape of bunnies.
It felt weird having her mother back in her life. Fuyuka and Akasei had no idea who she was as a person, so she allowed them to interact with mother before she did. Being the eldest sibling, sacrifices were made to make sure her younger siblings got the maternal love that she craved. As much as she hated Fuyuka, even she wasn't cruel enough to break a bond between mother and child. Akasei had fully become attached to her as he did with Muzan. The boy was clingy, his horns were also pretty hot too. He might have some innate fire powers. There was a lot about the boy she didn't know, but it would eventually come into the light soon.
The soothing sounds of rushing water made Hotaru pause in her thoughts. Goodness, she had traveled so far that a waterfall came to view. It's cool, pristine drops fell upon her head, relaxing the usually stressful demon girl. Sighing, she placed herself down on the grass that grew by the waters and closed her eyes. Thankfully she was in the shade, but the breeze that blew on her body was cold and refreshing. Spring was coming as the last of the winter's frost was melting. Sorashi promised to take them to the forest she found years ago where Hotaru was raised to show her children the cherry blossom trees. She looked forward to that trip, even Fuyuka couldn't ruin her excitement.
"Hey you, what are you doing sleeping on this cold grass?"
Hotaru flinched, cursing to herself for not sensing the two figures that were currently standing over her. One was a ginger haired boy with a serious stare and the other was a black haired boy with a concerned look on his face. The two wore weird kimonos with checkered patterns, masks that resembled foxes on the side of their heads, and had swords on their sides. It took her a few seconds to realize that they were probably training to be demon slayers. The grass around her right hand started to decay from the dripping poison, but she willed it to stop. They didn't know that she was a demon yet, so there was no reason to attack.
After all, her mother stressed the importance of relationships between humans and demons.
"Is there a rule that says I can't?" She replied, sitting up and leaning against the tree. "Are you lost, little boys, or are you always talking to strangers in the woods?"
"You look to be our age!" The ginger boy said, glaring at her smug face. "We are men training to become demon slayers."
"Demon slayers? Little boys like you shouldn't do something so dangerous." Hotaru took out some strings that she fiddled with and started making a cat's cradle. "You should be getting real jobs and settling down with a pretty girl."
The black haired boy watched her changing the strings with her fingers. "You don't seem afraid of being alone in the woods. Did your parents let you outside or do you not have parents?"
"I have parents, both of them love me very much. My mother was in a coma and she just woke up. My father made sure that I got some training to become his heir."
"A girl like you inheriting your father's business? He must really trust you." Ginger boy went and sat down along with the black haired boy. "So...is your mother really nice?"
Hotaru gave a small smile, manipulating the strings to make a heart. "The nicest person in the world. No matter who she meets, she makes a friend out of them. Everyone loves her personality since she sees the good in everything; demons, humans, or otherwise. One thing I love about her is that she takes in the broken, the unwanted, and the unusual and lets them into her heart. She also loves kids, which is why I have many adoptive siblings."
"She sounds like a nice lady." Black haired blushed at Hotaru, who finally finished making her heart. "What about you? What's your name?"
"I was named Hotaru, and I am the eldest of my blood siblings."
Fuyuka was bored...
Her father's followers were just ordered to play with her, but they were only short lived amusement. They worshipped the ground she walked upon, which lately has been freezing with each step she took. A frown was on her face as she made it into the grand courtyard, surrounded by various flowers that her mother had gifted her.
Sorashi, in order to get closer with her second born, created a garden for them to hang out in when she visited the cult. It had a calming effect on Fuyuka, sedating her when she was stressed or angered. There were also her mother's creations, the Whispers, in some of the plants that she used to spy on her enemies and the townsfolk. Fuyuka sat down on the floral swing, staring at the shining moon as her fingers traced small snowflakes that danced on the tips. Concentrating, she created a small flower of ice in her hands. Gasping, she made a flourishing motion through her silver hair, creating a line of ice flowers across her braid.
"Did you see that? I just made something shiny and beautiful!" She spoke aloud, the flowers in the garden whispering in happiness. "I wonder what else I can do?" Eyeing the walls of the garden, she started swinging harder and faster before jumping the wall.
Rolling down the hills and rocky plains, Fuyuka laughed loud as she got up from the ground. Shaking her hair, she activated her human disguise and walked in the woods. Pausing when she reached a bridge, she gazed at the silent brook with contempt.
Her mother had rich, chocolate skin that reflected her earthly powers. Her father had rainbow eyes that reflected only emotion around her. Yet, her skin was brown with discolored spots, her eyes were like a dull rainbow, and her hair was ghostly white. Why was it that she wasn't like both of her parents? She heard some of the members talk about how hideous she looked and how her father must've been embarrassed to have a child like her. She clenched her fist in anger. No matter how many times she tried to show her cuteness, please people with her attire, and get along with her sister, nobody truly wanted her. Not even her own mother could see her since Muzan had placed Doma and her in a position where they could only see Sorashi on the weekends.
Mommy….I need you. Daddy can only do so much for his princess, Daki-oneesan is busy with her life, and Hotaru-chan hates me. Tears streamed down her face as she leaned over the bridge. All my life I just wanted to be loved. I just want people to love me like you loved everyone. Even if it is fake, I just want someone like you to love me!
Footsteps were heard coming from the other side of the bridge, but Fuyuka was too busy wallowing in self pity to notice. Suddenly, a butterfly themed haori was placed over her head as a hand was placed on her head. Turning around, she saw a woman with long black hair, violet eyes, and wearing a strange outfit smiling above her. Fuyuka sniffled as the kind lady rubbed her head in a gentle manner.
"What's wrong little girl? You look like you've lost your family." The woman said.
Fuyuka shook her head, wiping her eyes. "No, I just ran away from home! Nobody likes me but my mommy and daddy! I can't see my mommy though since she'a being locked away by a scary man. Daddy is no help since he has a big job that requires most of his attention. My sister hates me too since she sees me as a nuisance! All I want is to be adored and loved, but I can't even do that. Sometimes I just feel so….ugly and weird."
The flowery girl gave her another pat on the head. "Well I don't think you're ugly. Your skin coloring is unique, your hair shines in the moonlight, and those eyes look lovely. Your mother probably thinks the same way about you." She started braiding her hair, lacing some flowers in between them. "Your parents must be worried sick about you. You may not be able to change your sibling's hearts, but you are young. One day your sister will come to appreciate you. I have sisters at home that love me very much and I them. A relationship takes time to build."
Fuyuka gazed down at the water at her long braid and grinned. "What's your name Oneesan?"
She got up from her sitting position and bowed. "Kocho Kanae. And you?"
Fuyuka bowed too. "My name is Fuyuka, Kocho-oneesan will you visit me again?"
Kocho gave her a teasing look. "Perhaps, maybe I'll bring my sister too. She would love to meet you."
Shouts were heard from the passing, making Fuyuka gasp. "My daddy must be looking for me. Goodbye flower sister!"
A meeting that would change the course of history. Fuyuka and Kanae would meet again…
Can Demons and Demon Slayers be friends?
A foolish thought, but possible
The bonds of time can change and heal
Although change can occur when you least suspect it.
Here's the new chapter of the new year! I'm so excited for the next phase of the story. Romances, action, and some new discoveries for Sorashi, her children, Muzan, and the others!