You are running around in your garden, the birds are singing and the sakura tree has fully blossomed. You were chasing after a paper plane you had made, youchild like giggles echoes through the room where your mother was watching you from, she was smiling and drinking her tea.
-Mama~ I got it~
You gave your mother a toothy grin and ran to her.
- My sweet (n/a), you are so fast!
You giggle and hug her tightly rubbing your face against her chest inhaling her scent, she smelled like fresh lavender and it felt so nostalgic. You raise your head when you feel her caressing your cheek.
-Darling, I know it's going to be so hard for you but you have to stay strong, you have to remember that you mustn't stray away from your path...
You slowly nod back at your mother trying to make sense on what she was telling you, she was smiling at you but for some reason her blue eyes looked so sad, your small hand touches her face and you sit on her lap.
-Mama please don't be sad...
Your mother gives a small chuckle and runs her long fingers through your hair.
-Mama will be fine darling, will you promise me that you'll be fine too?
- I promise mama!
Your mother kisses your forehead, everything turns bright and as the white light warms your body, you suddenly fall asleep.
Gyutaro was holding his head everything around him was a mess, broken furniture and punched in walls adorned their home, Daki was finishing attending your wounds. The ones on your face would pass with time but your back was not looking so great, there were very deep cuts that would leave multiple scars, still, she bandages you up and cleans your face. Truth be told she didn't want to be doing this but after watching her brother trying to compose himself while he tried to bandage you was too much for Daki to deal with. Each cut he would find on your small frame made him get more and more angry and he started wrecking his room out of frustration, so Daki had to step in.
-I'm done onii-chan.
Gyutaro turns his attention back to her and quickly approaches. You looked like your were in so much pain, he slowly caresses your arm avoiding touching your wounds that were gently wrapped. He then looks back at your face, you still had bruised marks from the demons hand around your cheek he stares away in frustration, standing up and abruptly leaving.
-Onii-chan where you going?!
He didn't answer leaving Daki alone with you.
Muzan was a very busy man with little patience, so when the six Upper Moon called to meet him he was expecting a good excuse for the hassle. He eyes the kneeling figure holding another dishevelled demon, the man sneers at Gyutaro.
-Don't tell me you bothered me just to show a useless demon you decided to torment?
-...Master I can guarantee it's more than that.
Muzan's eyebrows slightly raise.
-This traitor was in contact with a Hashira.
Muzan was now in front of the broken demon, pulling her hair so he can fully see her face, she had a petrified expression that made Muzan disgusted.
Speak
She struggles to get a single word out and Muzan digs his nails into her face, his already narrow patience was running thin. She struggles to speak, as blood gushes out her mouth.
-...p-ple-ease...
- She used wisteria to weaken my attacks.
Muzan's red eyes widen, his grip loosened on her and he finally lets her gasp for air but all momentarily.
-How did you obtain the wisteria?
Mei was still struggling for air and was uncontrollably shaking. He had no time for such weakness, but before his hand could pierce her head, she finally spoke.
-T-the Shinobi!
-Hmmm and what does a shinobi want with a demon?
Mei looks around frantically but finds no way to escape the situation, so she crumbles.
-He had told me if I used the wisteria on an upper moon and work with the hashira's that I would get what I wanted...
- And tell me how you managed to use it while still attacking one of my upper moons?
Mei holds her breathe, she knew that her answer will certainly anger her master but she still spoke, hoping that perhaps she could be set free by telling the truth.
- He gave me the antidote...
Muzan grabs her neck and is visibly beyond pissed. The hashira's were now going as far as recruiting his own demons to fight for their sad cause? How pathetic and what made his blood truly boil was the fact that they gave this scum what he desired the most, the red spider lily.
- Why should I believe that a hashira gave you the exact thing they are trying to hide from me?
She tries grabbing his hand and chokes on her tears.
- H-he...said...that..I could...walk in...daylight again.
Muzan let's go of her neck stepping back.
- He...said...it would be the only way to free me and defeating you.
The demon blankly stares her down and walks away dismissing Gyutaro with a shrug of his hand.
- Good job Gyutaro, you can leave...
Gyutaro bows and Mei sighs in relief.
Dispose of her
Wide eyes frantically scan the area, she realises that she was back in Rashomon and body tied up against a tree. She begins desperately to break free but it's useless, a cold laugh could be heard behind her, it was Gyutaro who was now circling the demon with two of his sickles in both his hands, he gave a sick twisted grin that could be spotted a mile away.
- Ah...Will ya look at that? The scum came crawling back here after all~
He kicks her stomach and grabs her head. Images of your wounds re surface in Gyutaro's mind, your bruised up face with dried up tears, your small back scared for life and your weak voice calling out for him. He scratches his skin off in frustration and grips his sickle hard.
- I'm going to make you wish you were never born.
The demon tortures her all night until dusk, she was no longer recognisable and if Gyutaro had his way he would continue on for weeks. One evening wasn't enough to show much he loathed what she did to you, to his sweetheart, he spits on the ground near her and leaves, taunting with the last few words she would ever hear again.
- Enjoy the sunrise.
As the rays of the sun begin to peak through the horizon, Mei weakly looks at the scene before her. Rashomon was still the same exact scum but that didn't matter she would be dead soon, finally free. She exhales and welcomes her death but is stunned by the building in front of her, it was childhood house, where her suffering started and forever cursed her and now she would die in the same nightmare she had left. She cries out of desperation and her body burns.
She sees Shinji in the distance holding Suzume's hand as they walked by the riverbank, sharing laughs and soft caresses. Hanako then appears beside her, staring at the demon finally meeting her fate and the maid grins at her.
Burn
You wake up, sweat was falling off your face and you slowly look around your surroundings. You didn't recognise the room you were in, it was mostly empty with just a small candle and cabinet. You tried getting up but a wave of pain jolts through your body and you hiss., too scared to even imagine the damages inflicted, you try to remember what had happened and you immediately regret the decision. Haunting images play in your head, plaguing every corner of your own thoughts, everyone you knew was dead. All of your friends and family were forever gone leaving you alone and broken by the sudden emptiness in your life. Tears fall and you don't remember falling asleep but you welcome the momentary peace.
You wake up again with someone cleaning your face, you gaze at the person and you notice it was a beautiful young woman with white hair.
-Am I...dead?
-Pfff no, consider yourself lucky too! If it wasn't for onii-chan, your body would be rotting by now.
Onii-chan, who? Where exactly were you? And why was this woman helping you? Daki looks back and scoffs at your confusion but is still gently cleaning your arm.
- Don't tell me my brother never mentioned me to you?
Your eyes shine in recognition, you sort of remember Gyutaro mentioning he had a sister, but so very briefly. In fact you didn't know much about him at all, whenever you'd asked he'd quickly change the subject. Just how little did you know about the man you fell in love with?
-So...your'e Gyutaro's sister?
Daki nods, she then gently pulls you up and carefully changes the bandages around your back. Up close you could tell the resemblances, from the way her eyebrows would crease just like Gyutaro to the way she smirked. They were definitely siblings no doubt.
- What's your name?
- Daki, no need to tell me yours I've heard all about you. Well mostly by accident, onii-chan talks in his sleep. (N/A) right?
You chuckle softly but the wounds bite back, you breathe in trying to relax your sore body, focusing back at the young woman.
-Where is Gyutaro?
Daki pauses for a second, she hadn't a clue about her brothers whereabouts and it had been a week since she last heard or seen him. She was beginning to get worried but she tried to remain calm in front of you.
- He had to deal with some business.
- I see...well thank you Daki, for taking care of me...
Daki scoffs.
- I'm not doing it for you! I am doing it for my brother because he seems to actually genuinely care for you, so you better treat him right or ill kill you myself. Got it?
You smile softly at her, although strained it makes Daki's heart tighten in her chest, she finishes cleaning you up, laying you back down on the futon.
-I'm going to bring you some food, you gotta be hungry right?
Your stomach gives a growl and Daki barks a laugh. She gets up to get you something to eat.
- You are so beautiful Daki...
Daki blushes and scoffs pretending she didn't care about your opinion, but as she walked back in the room to feed you, you noticed that she was less harsher with her words towards you, as she fed you gently some soup.
Another week had passed and the two of you began getting closer with one another. Daki would mostly whine about her clients and work, but you enjoyed her company nonetheless. You then find out that she was Warabihime, the notorious Oiran you once commissioned, her beauty was proof of it. It was nice having someone as lively as her by your side, especially considering how worried you were with Gyutaro's absence, Daki would notice this and quickly distract you with new topics. You found her childhood memories of the adventures she had with Gyutaro to be very enjoyable, you shared a few of your own and the demon surprisingly listened. More and more you slowly began walking again but you still needed crutches, when Daki was busy, you would spend time walking to train your legs, read some of the little books the house had and cooked. Sometimes Daki would eat your food and demand you made certain dishes for her. You would happily obliged, enjoying her requests, it felt like you had a little sister to take care of.
Another two weeks pass and one evening you asked her to take you outside, she seemed reluctant but went along with it. The two of you were walking in the busy street and you had found a bench to sit on, it seemed that your legs were still weak to walk for long periods of time. She sits next to you and you both stare at the crowd in silence. This was the first time you had came out since the incident and Daki was worried how you'd feel being in big crowds.
You exhale and look back her gently.
- Daki...can I ask you something?
...Are you and Gyutaro really demons?
Daki stares right at you and nods, she had a serious expression on her face.
-We had no choice, if onii-chan didn't turn us into demons...we would have died...we would have meant nothing. So he sacrificed his own humanity to save me and makes us stronger! We were going to finally live and fight back those who did us wrong, we were finally going to show them-
Daki looks back at (n/a), her bandied hand was gently holding Daki's own one. She didn't need to say anymore, (n/a)'s own gaze translated well how she understood their situation, Daki felt like crying . Here was someone embracing them, flaws and all, receiving them with open loving arms, just like a family she always wanted. Daki was tightly hugging you, her tears fell freely on your yukata and you gently stroked her head, letting her cry as much as she wanted, as much as she needed. Yes, you had definitely gain new little sister, a new family in this chapter of your life.
-Lets go home Daki...
Daki helps you inside the house, she takes off your getas and carries you by the shoulder to your bedroom. You laugh when Daki mentions how short you are but the sound is cut short. In the bedroom there was a tall figure, as he stared back at the two, you gasp and begin to tremble clutching onto Daki for safety.
Why did he looked hurt?
-So, you finally decided to show up...WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN?! We were sick and worried for you!
Daki runs up to the figure and begins to punch his chest, tears were trailing down her face and you were left stunned. He petted her head and kept apologising, cradling her in his huge arms, you gasp.
Gyu?
The two siblings shift their attention back to you. Very slowly you limp towards him, Daki goes to the side and gives you some space to approach, with a trembling hand you reach out to him. He holds his breath and shuts his eyes. A small hand touches his face and he re opens his green and yellow eyes, the kanji number six burns through your own (e/c) irises and with trembling lips, you call out to him in a whisper.
-Gyutaro...is that you?
He looks away in shame, slowly nodding his head. The demon was ready for you to regret your decision and run away, he feels your slap and looks back at you with a pained expression. You had your eyes shut, tears were cascading down your beautiful face, you dropped your crutches and begin hitting his chest. He tried grabbing you but you kept pushing his hands away, each hit becoming weaker and weaker. You finally fell on your knees and sobbed, he holds in his own tears and tries to comfort you but is stopped with your pained angry gaze snapping back at him. He flinches.
-Why...
He shakes his head, tears were now falling down as his worst nightmare was unfolding. He knew she could never love him as he was, he was too naive to believe it could ever be possible. He should have left you alone and live your life happily by your families side, maybe they would still be alive if he wasn't too selfish in his pursuit for you. If only he could go back in time, if only he-
- Why did you leave me?
Gyutaro blinks, you were holding his hand but your face was still looking downwards.
- Y-you said...you s-said you wouldn't leave m-me...
His mouth opens in shock and he finally sees your face again, your eyes look back revealing the pain and loneliness and it carved deeply into him.
- I needed you Gyu...
Gyutaro's own heart breaks.
Please...don't leave me too...
Gyutaro falls on his knees and finally embraces you. You begin to sob loudly holding him back, all of your grief wallows out and you clutch onto him, his own cries mixes with yours and the two of you hold on to each other for dear life, promising to never let go.
