Where is the land I come from?
Who lives where I was born?
Why do my memories start with a storm?
What if I have a family, somewhere beyond the sea?
Could there be someone there missing me?
My life before is nothing but blurs.
Like a raging storm on a rocky sea, my memories have been drowned by the noises in my head that ring about like bells. The mindscape I find myself wandering in is foggy, where water drips constantly and winds blow gently. I guess I am asleep again.
My name...what is my name again?
Hinami...that was the name I saw on my blanket. That's the first word I learned as a babe. Who gave me this name? Where is the one that birth me? Why can I not stand in the sun?
My oldest memory is being sealed away in some sort of basket while being sent down a raging river. A wailing noise, but was then silenced. Those eyes, those red eyes were full of hatred for my very existence. When I awoke, I couldn't remember a thing.
When I reached my toddler age, I realized I had powers. My voice could entrance and enchant, making it easy to move from house to house. When I cried hard enough, my tears turned to diamonds that sparkled and gleamed. Then there's my connection with water; manipulation, divination, and healing. When I used the water, I could heal wounds, create shields, defend myself, and see...
Glimpses of something I believe. Whose to say what I saw, but a figure would pop in my mind that caused me comfort. A woman, a woman with stardust in her hair and a smile on her face. She would grant me a kiss on the forehead and sing comforting songs that soothed me to sleep. Why would she do such a thing? Who was she to me?
The water around me suddenly started rising and caused me to sink deeper into my mind. This would only happen when I was waking up! No...I wanted to see that woman again and never wake up again. It wasn't worth living if she wasn't here! Let me dream...please just let me dream!
"Oh, she's waking up sensei!"
"About time she did. I was worried she would never wake."
"I thought she was dead."
Hinami's crystal eyes opened to see children around her age staring down at her while a masked man stood behind them. The demon girl groaned, holding her head as she slid upwards. The strange room she found herself in was a modest one in the midst of the woods. Looking down, she noticed that she was now in a light blue kimono decorated with seashell patterns. The masked man came over and had some water in a cup for her. She thanked him, drinking slowly as she stared at the other children in the room. A black haired boy who was just staring at her, a orange haired boy with a scar on his face, and a young lady with a soft smile. Just who were these people that save her?
"Are you alright? You passed out when we found you singing naked in the lake outside." The masked man said, taking the now empty cup from her hands. "Just what were you doing out there?"
Hinami said nothing, continuing to stare at the man with distant eyes. It was as if she wasn't fully there and at the same time she was. What a curious case she was, just watching and staring. She knew what she was doing. If they knew she was a demon, they would call the closest demon slayer and try to have her killed. That's why she never stayed in one place for too long. One family she had lived with treated her well, but their son was too touchy for her liking. In disgust, she managed to use her powers to drown him with his own bodily functions. The other family she stayed with had a jealous daughter who wanted to mar her beautiful face with a knife. However, all it took was a simple song to make her hang herself in the bathroom. Family after family tried their hardest to get rid of her, but she would use her powers to end them all. It was too bad she never got to feel the warmth of a hug nor the good feeling of a kiss on the forehead.
"I thank you for saving my life, not that I needed saving. My clothes were taken from my last living space since I ran away. They wanted to set me up with their snobbish son, but I didn't feel like marriage at the moment. However, they tried to lock me in the guest room. With some tricks, I broke out and tore my clothes running from the guards. My head bumped against the rocks and the rest of my clothes ripped in the currents of the river."
The orange haired boy gave her a weird look. "That's the most ridiculous story I ever heard. How could you be naked from all of that?"
"I didn't want to be wearing those rags. There was no need to cover up."
"How come there aren't any wounds on you?" The other girl asked, looking around on her body.
"Water has healing properties if you never heard."
"What about the fact that you have scales on your shoulders?" The blank face boy pointed out.
Huh...well there was the fact of the scales.
Oh my, this would be fun to explain. Nobody had ever asked her why she was the way she was. Sighing, she took a clump of hair to showcase her star mark for the trio and their sensei to see...along with her bare neck. The boys blushed at this, seeing the slender, soft skin glistened with sweat.
"See this? This is my birthmark that showcases that I have a family somewhere. This family abandoned me when I was probably a few days old. All I remember is someone singing me a lullaby, then a figure threw me in the river, and I woke up with the scales. Perhaps one of my parents was a fish or river spirit."
"That's highly unusual, but for the time being you may stay here. In fact, if you like, I can teach you a technique to defend yourself." The masked man said, patting her shoulder. "That's only if you want to. You are free to leave."
Once again, the promise of staying with a family intrigued her. Hinami just knew it would be a matter of time before they sent her away from being a demon. For the most part, the girl looked happy, the peach boy seemed suspicious, and the black haired boy was staring at her mark. For once, she believed that these people would do her well. Even if they betrayed her, she could just wipe their minds with her memory water.
She gave a soft smile and bowed. "I would be honored to stay with you."
Sorashi knew this day would come. A day she was never sure when would happen, but knew it would.
"Today is the day we...have a family outing!"
It was a nice night to go out into the city like one big happy family. Muzan smiled as they walked side-by-side holding each other's arms. Skipping beside them was Fuyuka, who insisted on coming along due to being at least her half-daughter. She was wearing a new kimono that Sorashi made for her decorated with floral patterns. Akasei followed her, drooling at all the food they kept passing. At least with some gentle prodding from Sorashi he was able to keep his drool to under boiling levels. Hotaru lingered behind, glaring at the two siblings that were having a fun time jumping on the stones on the path.
She knew it would only be a matter of time before Fuyuka and Akasei would take their place as her minions. Hotaru mused that her father wouldn't be so foolish to let any of them lead the next generation of fighters. She was the oldest, therefore had the right to be the chosen leader and had the powers similar to his own. It was just striking the right moment to make her pitch. After all she'd done with protecting her mother, training hard to perfect her craft, and getting rid of unnecessary garbage, Muzan would graciously give the title to her.
"Look mama! They have sugared candied balls on a stick!" Fuyuka pointed at the red candies on a stick. "Can we have some? I want to try some!"
Akasei grunted, pointing at the vendor and then the treats. Hotaru rolled her eyes at her sibling's juvenile show of pleasure for simple treats. There was no way her father would listen to the demands of a spoiled child.
"Hotaru, you must not let your desires for selfish interest cloud your judgement."
The little demon stared hungrily at the plate of taiyaki while training with her father. Little Hotaru was currently fasting for a mission she would be sent on, so Muzan was trying to see how long she could go without blood or food to unlock her blood demon art. The poor girl wanted it so badly, seeing the speckles of blood on the scales of the fish cracker.
"Papa, can't I just have one? I'm so hungry for that treat!" She begged, her eyes pleading for a bite.
Muzan gave her a cold stare before shattering the plate in front of her. The usually emotionless girl was stunned by this, reaching out to try and get some of the crumbs.
"You thought selfishly about the food you wanted. Show none of that kind of foolish thinking when you are in battle. I cannot let my heir die just because she hadn't eaten in days."
"Cease your infernal begging! Father and Mother will not open their wallets to pay for some childish treat." Hotaru berated the two, glaring at them.
Sorashi looked at her two children before handing them some yen. "Go on, grab a stick or two for me. I haven't had those kind of treats since I was your age in human years."
Fuyuka cheered happily and grabbed Akasei to go pay for the snacks. Muzan laughed at their eagerness, happy to see the children come over to hand them some treats. Fuyuka stopped in front of Hotaru, handing her a stick.
"Here you go oneechan! I got a big one for you." The little girl gave her a teasing smile. "I saw you eyeing one back there."
Hotaru looked down at the stick in her hand, sweat rolling down her face. If she took the treat, this would be she is submitting to her...ugh...sister. Her pride would not allow such insolence!
"I don't want your pity!" She smacked the treat out of her hand, sneering. "How dare you even think I would enjoy that!"
Akasei hissed at her, looking at the downed treat on the ground. How dare she drop precious food! The ground beneath him started bubbling and boiling while his drool melted the candy in his hands. Before he could throw a single punch, Sorashi placed a hand on his shoulder and gave him a stern look.
"We cannot fight with each other, especially since we are out in public. Nobody must know that we are demons." She whispered, calming him down.
Muzan glared at Hotaru, who tensed at his glare. "Don't you dare embarrass us while we are out. I don't want to have to punish my heir later."
"Yes father, it won't happen again." Clenching her fist, Hotaru turned away from the sad look on her sister's face.
"Apologize to your sister." Sorashi said, giving her a reprimanding tone of voice.
"What! No way! I didn't want her stupid treat in the first place! Why should I apologize to some selfish brat like her!"
"Young lady, even if she is not bloodline related, she is still my child. I treat you all with respect and give you the equal amount of love. You hurt her feelings-"
"Why do you always take her side on the argument? Ever since you woke up, all you've been doing is trying to patch up this broken family."
"I love this family enough to admit it isn't perfect. No family is. I just want you to value and respect your siblings."
Hotaru's hands started glowing purple with the poison coursing through her veins. "I don't respect them. One is an abomination rape child, the other is a beast that lacks verbal communication, and the fish-!"
There was a pause after the last part as she covered her mouth. Muzan looked around to see a crowd forming and gestured to Sorashi to get them moving. Sorashi nodded, picking up Akasei and holding Fuyuka's hand. Muzan snatched Hotaru's hand before they briskly walked out the town.
"What did you mean by 'the fish'? Is there something you aren't telling us Hotaru?" Her father asked, noticing how quiet she had gotten.
"It's nothing!" Hotaru snapped, turning away from her father's gaze. "Let's just go home."
However, deep in her mind, Hotaru knew that her sin would come out in the light one day. Would she have to poison their minds once again to forget about her unfortunate crime?
I won't have anyone usurp my position of the true heir...not even my true little sister.
Hotaru, what have you done?
To become the number one?
All that anger and pride,
You've kept it inside
And bitterness makes you no fun.
What was a fun family outing turned sour. Although, Hinami has made some headway in the new family department. Can the two storylines converge somewhere? Who knows!
Maybe they just need a push in the right direction.