I'm the villain in my own story,

I'm the witch in my own tale.

Though I insist I'm the protagonist,

It's clear that my soul is up for sale.

The dripping noise was deafening.

A quiet room in the Infinity Castle that was away from the others. The darkened room held no windows, no doors, and was impossible to gain entry without permission.

Within these hollowed walls held a young girl.

A young demon child to be exact.

Her eyes were blindfolded, unable to see what was coming or going.

The dripping noise got louder as liquid formed on the floor in front of her.

She sat in the singular chair, swinging her feet in the rhythm of the dripping. Humming was heard as well.

In the middle of the room were a pile of people stacked on top of each other. Red liquid fell from the pile, dripping onto the floor below.

The scent was intoxicating, but she had to keep her cool. After all, a blood rush would not do well for her at the moment.

Shifting noises were heard from the pile, a hand poking out from the bottom. Dragging themselves from underneath the bodies was a small boy. This boy was dressed in rags, bandages covering his arms and legs. Wild black hair was tied in a large tuft. A black scar went over his left eye.

So, a person did survive her "training".

Well...looks like she'll have to take a page from her father's book and turn him.

The young lad looked up to see a child his age looming over him with a drooling maw. His eyes shook in horror as one of the nails on her hand grew longer and darker.

"You would make a great servant. Now, you shall be reborn as my shadow. Serve me and my family well and you'll be handsomely rewarded."

Hotaru grumbled to herself as she mashed her medicinal herbs.

Tamayo stared at her as she did so. The worried demon woman could only silently observed her apprentice destroying the herbs for a tea she was making. It had been hours since she arrived and her anger was only getting stronger. The shadowy tendrils behind her were starting to rot the wall. Yushiro was even quiet for once, not wanting to be attacked by those tendrils.

"Is something troubling you, my dear?" Tamayo pondered, passing over some more herbs.

Hotaru took the herbs with gusto, some poison seeping out from her tendrils as she continued to mix some of the given herbs.

"My mother seems to treat my siblings like babies! I have that disgrace for a sister along with that beast of brother. My father has made me his heir apparent and I did everything in my power to keep my position."

Tamayo didn't say anything, but allowed her to continue.

"However, the mother I never knew comes back from her coma and dotes on them with much affection. She spends ample time with that rape baby and makes her feel so special. She's even patient with that beast child and constantly calms him down with her words. I can't believe she doesn't treat her real daughter with such loveliness or patience. Why can't I have that love and affection that she shows them? What makes them so special? This is just like when-!"

Hotaru paused, allowing her dark thoughts to ruminate as she recalled that other annoyance from the past. The annoyance that almost took her position as the only one in her parent's eyes. Her twin sister, her other half, her...

Tamayo watched as the herbs in the mortar started to rot from the amount of poison that poured out from Hotaru's fingertips. This was quite concerning since the child was obviously feeling insecure about her relationship with her mother. True, she despised Muzan for what he did mentally to the child and wanted to gut him for all the scars that littered her body. The physical scars can fade away, but the ones on her heart and mind will take longer to heal.

Weighing in her options, the demon doctor came over and embraced the small child. Even though Yushiro voiced his frustrations, she didn't give him mind as she held her close to her body. Hotaru's throat hitched at the comfort given to her and slowly allowed herself to embrace her back. Yes...this kind of love was acceptable. If her mother failed to provide her with the proper ways of love, then she would seek it out here. Tamayo never questioned her and never scolded her when she was wrong. Tamayo was there when she needed her to train in the pharmaceutical arts and handling her poison. This was more favorable to her kind of love; a love where she was always right and nobody would ever say otherwise.

Time passed, and Hotaru found herself walking home with a newfound pep in her step. The medicine she had created tonight would be able to counteract her poison arts and blood, so she would be sure to share it with only those she trusted. Her feet lead her back to the waterfall where she first met Giyuu and Sabito. Her face started to heat up at the thought of meeting the two again. Ever since their fateful meeting, the three of them would eat food, talk about their families, and train together. Giyuu had an air of stoicism to him, silently watching her wrap his bandages and speaking softly. Sabito was the more talkative of the two, always claiming that a true man must protect a lady like her. She would scoff at his masochist attitude, claiming that she was far more powerful than he would ever be. This would oftentimes lead to them laughing and playfully hitting one another.

As she made her way to the waterfall, she heard the familiar voices of her male companions. Just as she was about to emerge to wish them hello, a third voice popped out from the conversation.

"Hinami, you've mastered the basics of the Breath of Water quite fast! I'm impressed."

"Are you sure you want to continue to learn the techniques? They could be taxing on your body?"

"Oh I'm sure I can do it! After all, I was able to hold my breath underwater for a long time. Breathing the water should be easy!"

Hotaru hid behind the trees to see the two friends she had made along with blue haired girl. Said girl's hair was long and was put in a high ponytail tied with a pearl band. She was wearing a checkered haori that was gold and deep blue, held a practice blade in her hand, and some blood was dripping from her hands. The sight of another female with the boys she liked made her blood boil. Who was this pretty girl that thought she could replace her? With her blue hair, pearls, and...

Trident shaped birthmark on her neck?

A pulse went through her body as Hotaru slumped against the tree she was hiding behind. No...it couldn't be...it just couldn't be!

That witch! She's alive after all these years! Why can't anything ever go my way!

A silent scream erupted from her mouth as the trees around her began to decay. Alright then, if she wouldn't stay dead after the first attempt at her life...

Then the next time she saw her would end her permanently!

Fuyuka hummed to herself as she skipped down the halls of her father's building.

Today had been a great day. She spent time with her mother and her other siblings. Daki and Gyutaro had taken her out to buy some new accessories and kimonos. Finally, she wrote a letter to her favorite flower friend Kanae to invite her for tea in the cherry blossom grove.

Life is good. She smiled, going around the members of the cult with the politeness of a princess. I have my daddy, my mommy, my siblings, my friends, and everybody loves me in the cult! My life is perfect and nothing will ever change that!

She found herself stopping in front of the door to the throne room where her father sat. Surely he had some time to spend with his little princess right now. Doma never let anyone in without permission unless it was her of course. He would drop anything to make her smile and live a good life.

"Hello papa! I'm here to spend time with you!" The little girl exclaimed, pushing the door open with gusto.

To her shock, there was already someone in there. A woman with beautiful features and equally nice looking black hair was kneeling in front of the throne. Fuyuka just shrugged, thinking she was just another sacrifice for her father. However, something caught her ears that was coming from the small bundle in her arms. Her eyes brightened with elation as she ran towards the young woman.

"Fuyuka-chan, what are you doing here? I thought you were coming later tonight." Doma wondered aloud, startled by the unusual behavior coming from his daughter. "Pay no attention to her dear, she is merely seeking refuge in the cult."

The young woman backed away from the curious child, staring warily at her. Fuyuka merely gave her a gentle smile before her eyes glowed pink. This was one of her Demon Arts; The Art of Subjugation. Being the bearer of Venus, she governed over the emotions linked to love and lust. By gazing into her eyes, there were none that wouldn't be swayed by her charm and beauty. Unless you had a strong will, you would be forever in her service.

This could also be used to calm people down.

"Hello ma'am, my name is Fuyuka." The young girl did a small bow. "Welcome to the Paradise Faith Cult. I see you've met my father already. Don't worry, you are in safe hands here."

Doma watched this interaction with a pang of jealousy. He had never seen his daughter act so formal with any other cult member or newcomers. She had seen him consume his share of humans and not batt an eye. His daughter was like her mother though, only consuming the blood that splattered on the ground or taking the pills she provided. Truly something he admired about the queen and was proud to have a piece of her living with him. Now, seeing her act so cordial towards this runaway, made him wonder why she took a special interest in her of all people.

"Oh my...what a polite child. Your father must've raised you well."

"I had a nice upbringing by both of my parents. Even if my mother doesn't live with us."

"I'm sorry to hear. I guess I will be seeing more of you then."

"Yup! I'm always here to brightened up everyone's day! So...what is your name?"

"My name is...Kotoha. And this is Inosuke."

If she could, Fuyuka felt her smile widen significantly. In the bundle laid a small baby with the prettiest eyes, smallest hands, and the cutest pout on his face. A loud squeal erupted from her mouth. Babies humans were so cute! Sure, her own brother was a baby once, but she didn't like how wild he was. Although, it made him easier to tame. This baby was pure human and pure in heart too.

Kotoha saw her facial features and chuckled. "Would you like to hold him?"

"R-R-Really? I can hold him?"

Fuyuka held out her hands as Kotoha placed Inosuke into them. The little girl looked down at the baby with a soft expression on her face. Inosuke stared back her, curious as to why this little girl was smiling like she had been given all the gold in the world. There was a tenderness in the smile that Fuyuka was giving him, a newfound feeling of falling in love with someone so small and fragile. This was love in its purest form and she relished it.

"He's so cute." Her whispers were barely heard as she cuddled her cheek onto his. "I love him so much. I want to keep him. Papa, can Kotoha and Inosuke stay? Please!"

At first, Doma was just going to eat the two of them and be done with it. There was no use of them and they were just meals for him. However, he had never seen his daughter act like this before. He may not show an arrange of emotions, but what he does show is only for her eyes only. Right there, in that moment, she showed him another side to her personality that he quite enjoyed.

Besides, he would do anything to keep her happy.

"Alright, these two can stay, my beloved." He fanned himself, turning away to keep the human from seeing him blush. "However, if you want to keep that baby safe, you must help his mother out. A baby is a big responsibility."

Fuyuka turned to Kotoha with pleading eyes. "I will be the best big sister ever! I will change his diaper, feed him, put him to sleep, and many more. I can learn too! I have big sisters to learn from!"

Kotoha just giggled, giving her a slight hug. "Oh you are such a sweetheart. Inosuke will be happy to have you in his life."

Douma smirked to himself as Fuyuka lead the young woman to her room. On one hand, if this worked out nicely, he would add one more demon to the family when Inosuke came of age.

On the other hand, Fuyuka would become too attached.

He will make sure that never happens. After all, she is his precious little princess.

The poison princess wants revenge.

The water princess wants to learn.

The ice princess wants to be an older sister.

Everyone is changing so much now.

Ehehe….

Life happened and it doesn't excuse my absence. You all will get a new chapter by next week to make up for it. The next chapter gets dark….real dark. Hotaru may become less liked.