"Wow." I said in breathless wonder, and I heard Akaza whistle beside me. It was very bright – brighter than the city Tamayo-san was staying at. People were everywhere, and beautiful women called out to men from balconies. It was like a never-ending festival where cheers and laughter mixed and rang in the air.

"This is Yoshiwara district," said Uzui-san, "a night district where allure and desire of men and women creates a storm of love and hatred. Isn't it flamboyant?" For once he was right. It was flamboyant. "This place sleeps during the day but shines so brilliantly at night. It's the perfect place for demons, isn't it?" At that he turned to Akaza and me. "So…"

Uzui-san focused on Akaza, "you know where they are?" Akaza did say there were two demons here. Technically, only one of them was the Demon Moon. "They are here." He stated simply. "I never cared which house, though."

"Ha! Then you're pretty much useless! Why are you even here?" Uzui-san was annoyed whilst Akaza just turned away from him, "I already told you; we need blood samples." The two of them squabbled while everyone else seemed to be having a good time, and –

"Excuse me!" An old lady approached Akaza and Uzui-san and then pointed at me. "How much for her?" Uzui-san was all smiles while Akaza looked like he was having a very bad stomach cramp. Fist balling at his sides he made a move as if he wanted to stand beside me, making Uzui-san push away his face with his big hand as he transacted with the old woman. It all happened so quickly and there wasn't any time for goodbyes. Well, it's not like I won't ever see them again anyway.

Still, I couldn't help but glance back.

I was to be trained as an Oiran, and part of my training was to keep the house in order. Right after arriving I was tasked with several chores. I was a glorified slave, in other words. Chores are mindless tasks, letting other thoughts crowd in my head.

I thought of Akaza and how our last conversation just left me confused. I just couldn't shake it off as part of the gap in my memory because watching fireworks with him would surely be one of my treasured memories, wouldn't it? It wasn't the time to think about that, though.

We're on a mission, and thanks to Akaza's information we knew what to look out for. I have to say, it's brave for these Demon Moons to live the way they do. They really seemed to be baiting the Demon Slayers to them. Though, since this district literally comes to life at night, maybe staying here as a demon was smart.

I finished the first chore I was tasked with, so I left my quarters and went back downstairs to the lobby. The moment I stepped off the stairs I heard the hostess arguing with someone and then a familiar voice called out "her! That one." Akaza? She sighed, exasperated. "And as I told you, sir, this isn't how our establishment works!"

The very human-looking Akaza was arguing while pointing at me, the hostess telling him no. "She hasn't even started training! And I - " Akaza shook his head, lips pouting a bit looking as if he'd throw a tantrum almost on par with what Nobu used to do as a kid. However, instead of using words to argue he just flashed an almost obscene amount of money. I don't think I want to know where it all came from.

"Of course, sir! Y/N will make sure you have a wonderful evening." Money truly works wonders.

"…Kyogoku house's Warabihime is the prettiest Oiran–"

"Nah. The prettiest one is in the Tokito House."

Akaza sighed for what was probably the hundredth time. There were just too many people, some even stopping to talk in front of us. The streets were tightly packed that everyone could hear anyone's conversations. It was only natural for Akaza to be annoyed. It made perfect sense when he dragged me to the side of a building which led to the edge of the town.

While there were still people walking around, it was still less than the main street – which was a huge relief. It was somehow a lot easier to breathe. Akaza continued walking, looking straight ahead. I couldn't tell where we were heading – if we even were heading somewhere.

We walked further to the edge, where there were barely any people. The view, however, was lovely. A flowing river ran along the street, the lights of the busy district reflected on it. It reminded me of the fireflies we saw some time ago. He suddenly stopped and turned to me expectantly.

"Oh, ah… are the demons around here somewhere?" I asked, confusion evident on my voice and probably also my face. Akaza returned some confusion of his own.

"You're not having fun?" he asked, to which all I could answer was, "what?" He suddenly looked sheepish… shy. "Kyojuro said a nice evening walk would be romantic…" he mumbled. A romantic walk, huh? And I can't believe he got advice from Kyojuro. My silent giggles only made him flush deeper, making me feel a little guilty. I cleared my throat. "Well, an evening walk would be romantic. I hope I knew that was your intention. I was under the impression we were working on the mission."

"Oh." A flash of annoyance came over his face. "That Hashira sold you for real. And right now, I paid for your time for real." He stepped closer, an amused glint to his eyes taking over his earlier annoyance. "You don't have to think about that mission right now." That was… I couldn't help but laugh at his logic, shaking my head a bit. "You're absolutely right! I guess we are legally required to have a good time now, aren't we?"

He offered his arm to me, and I was about to hold onto it when a loud boom made me jump. I almost fell over, Akaza catching me immediately. My heart was almost on par with the loud booming that was still going over us. Akaza's face was so close – his breath fanning over my face. He could kiss me… I wanted him to kiss me! But he didn't. He helped me stand straight, and while he was still holding me it felt like he was suddenly far away.

"Fireworks." He said, all attention on the beautiful shapes burning in the sky. Hmm, he sure has a thing for fireworks, huh? Something significant to his life as a human, perhaps? Was he a firework maker? He turned to look at me suddenly, causing me to forget every thought in my head. It was suddenly hard to breathe, but I liked it. I didn't know being breathless like this could feel so good.

Shivers and goosebumps spread over my skin when his hand moved up from his hold on me towards my face. "You…" He sighed. A satisfied kind of sigh, as a smile graced his lips. "Look so lovely." I wanted to thank him. To tell him that he looked amazing as well. But what came out of my mouth was something… embarrassing. Only, I couldn't find it in me to feel embarrassed about it.

"Kiss me." I whispered, voicing my inner desire that's been brewing since the first boom of the fireworks. Thank goodness I didn't need to ask twice.

I felt the continuous boom of the fireworks deep in my chest. My heart was hammering, almost competing against it. The moment was sweet. A simple and innocent peck on the lips that lasted both for a second and forever. I sighed against his lips and felt his lift up to a complete smile. God, I love this man. When he drew away, his hand went from my cheek to catching wisps of my hair and tucking them behind my ear.

This gave him a chance to finally appreciate the pin he gave me. "This – it's just like last time." There it was again. My confusion was apparent, causing him to furrow his brow. Then realization was like a rock – or a giant boulder, really – that dropped on us.

"That wasn't you…" Akaza seemed to regret it as soon as he said it, and I found myself turning away from him, mood suddenly sour. He had someone. Back when he was human, he had someone… probably loved someone. He had a life. I found myself suddenly overthinking things I knew nothing about.

I couldn't look at him. Maybe I was overreacting, but I couldn't help it. I cleared my throat, yet my voice still came out a little broken. "I think it's time for me to go back." I turned away and started walking without waiting for him.

"Y/N…" Akaza softly called out as we stood still. A sigh. "Good night."

Was I being too unreasonable? I think… alright, I knew he's lived a long life. He's bound to have had… someone. But I felt like he was thinking of someone else when he just kissed me.

"Oh! There she is!" I heard the hostess exclaim the moment I entered the house. Uzui-san stood beside her, towering over both of us. "Perfect. I trust I already gave you enough?" The hostess nodded, ushering me back outside. "Of course, of course. Quite generous, too. Off with you two."

"I don't think this helps your mission, Uzui-san." We were seated at a private room in one of the many teahouses in the district. Beautifully garnished food laid on the table before us. To his credit, he ordered several platters of sashimi, something I could eat as well. "Nah, this is perfect. This is where Oiran from top houses meet their clients. You could tell who's a demon right away, right?" I nodded in affirmation. Still, if all he needed was sit and wait here, why drag us to go undercover? Besides, I know he could tell someone was a demon on his own.

But then he started interrogating me. Asking me questions and making me describe what I've seen and heard for the hours since he sold me.

"I'm afraid not much. I ah… went out." He smirked, making him look intimidatingly beautiful. It reminded me of when I first saw him, thinking he was quite attractive. I guess it's not a surprise that he'd have three wives. Speaking of, how does that work? I asked him exactly that, making him grin wider. "Why, do you want to be the fourth?"

"No, thank you." Right now, I'm feeling like I'm Akaza's second and I'm not liking it. And it's all still just in my head as we haven't talked about it. Just imagine being required to share the man I love. "That Akaza sure is lucky. Who would've thought that a Demon Moon would betray Muzan for love? Flamboyantly fiction, but here we are."

I imagined I would've had a hard time suppressing a smile had he told me this before… whatever it was that happened with Akaza. Instead, bitterness seemed to waft off me. Uzui-san laughed at the frown on my face, making me feel worse.

"You men are very complicated." I complained, angrily chewing a slice of sashimi. He only laughed louder, a teasing hint to his voice as he asked, "trouble in paradise?" I squinted at him. "What paradise? Never was paradise." He snickered, flicking an edamame pod to the side. Huh, with three wives, he's bound to know his way around jealousy, right?"

I opened my mouth to ask but changed my mind. It's his wives' side I'm on. Oh gosh. They're sharing him, and here I am thinking I am sharing Akaza with someone too, when there isn't even an us. "Ugh." I crumpled, shoving my face to my hands as I let my chopsticks drop. "I saw you not more than 5 hours ago and it looked like a lot happened already." He commented, "we might be on a mission, but this god of flashiness and festivals is willing to listen to your sorrows."

I looked at him and examined his face. Humoring him, I began, "tell me oh god of flashiness and festivals," I began, pleasing him immensely. "Does it bother your wives that they have to share you? I'd ask them, but –" I shrugged, "I'm stuck with you."

A thoughtful expression came over him, eyes gentle as if he was watching a fond scene in front of him. "We were raised in this way of life. I knew my father would choose wives for me, and they knew they would be chosen and would have to share." That does not help me at all. Wait – "they were chosen for you?" He nodded. Oh. Yeah, I don't think I would be able to relate to him and his family at all.

"Don't tell me Akaza's hiding someone that you'd have to share him with?" He smirked, hitting the issue right in the middle. I flushed a made a croaking noise that was very much undignified. "N – no!"

"Huh, then what's the problem?" Yes, what is the problem? I asked myself. "He kissed me, but he was thinking about someone else." "Ouch." Was his helpful reply. "Another demon?" I shrugged. "I don't know."

"Well, you two have to talk it out! What makes relationships work is good communication. Sit him down and ask him about it, then make up and fuck him good." I gasped, not used to where this conversation seemed to be headed. His booming laugh drowned out all the noise coming from outside, and he looked extremely satisfied of himself.

"I'm serious. Talk." I answered a meek affirmative, before he went on to tell me that he'd meet the others in the morning and would check in on me again tomorrow night.

"Alright. I think I'd be able to investigate more freely tonight and have news for you. I don't need much sleep anyway."

"Good girl." Beamed Uzui-san as he patted me on my head – which I didn't hate. It felt like something I needed in the moment.

Nothing happened that night, or the day after. "Y/N." The mother of the house called upon me once night fell, and before I could meet up with Uzui-san. "Put this on. You'll be accompanying Sayuri tonight."

"I didn't know trainees could accompany an Oiran to their appointments." I said as I handed Sayuri-san her Shamisen and sat down with all the grace I could muster. She was to entertain several important men. I'm unclear about the details, and this kind of life is some kind of mystery to me, but I do think trainees like I were usually left behind.

"No. This is new. Though, with the way you've been selling…" She smiled; the kind that would make one think she knew all your secrets. And the usage of the word 'selling' was… well, what better word was there to use? Rent?

Soon, the room was filled, and Sayuri-san took her spot front and center. I was left to pour and serve tea to the men enjoying the performance. Sayuri-san was in the middle of it when the door slid open and in comes one of the most extravagantly dressed Oiran I've ever seen. Uzui-san would approve of her and call her flamboyant. Silence took over the room at the interruption, however, there was something else.

Demon. This was the demon we were looking for. I felt her eyes on me, and of course, she could tell I wasn't human myself. It was tense. To the humans within the room, all they knew was two Oiran from different houses were in some silent competition for attention. For the demon that was eyeing me, though, I was a rival for her almost endless supply of food. The look of contempt was there for only a moment before she was all smiles.

She walked close to where I was seated by the teapots. In barely a blink of an eye, she was crying and yelling at me, the pot of tea from my hand now lay broken on her feet, all its content soaking into her expensive kimono. What… was that her blood demon art? A cloth-like appendage grabbed the teapot from me – she was not afraid of doing that in front of people, huh?

I could hear Sayuri-san apologize, and some of the men scrambling for rags. "You!? Ugly scum, do you have any idea how special this kimono is? You dare – " Insults went out of the demon's mouth so quickly it was hard to keep up to it. Much quicker came her slap, however. While it was the kind of slap that could make people see stars or maybe even their ancestors, all it did was anger me.

My frustration with whatever was happening in my personal life has been brewing since last night and this hostility and violence towards me just pushed me over the edge. I lost it and lunged at her. Feeling my nails scratch against her face was very satisfying. Her blood was thick with Kibutsuji's scent.

Very much like the slap, a vision took me by surprise. Suddenly, I was inside the Infinity Castle, and Akaza stood before me. He looked tired, and had he not been a demon, I suspect he'd be bloody and bruised. He was fighting Kibutsuji who looked to be an ultimate version of himself. Wild tentacle-like appendages sprouted from all over his body.

A sight most disturbing – completely unthinkable – then occurred. Kibutsuji wrapped his whips on Akaza, incapacitating him before dragging him close and absorbing him. No! I saw other things – like Tanjirou becoming a demon himself. But I was too overcome with emotion upon seeing Akaza's fate.

"Ughh…"

"You bitch! Now you throw up on me, too?" It was sickening, and utterly frightening. Akaza… will die? I need to do something – I need to warn him!

Warabihime, that's what they call this demon. According to Akaza's information, she's posing as the Upper Six. It's ah… complicated, you see. But like I said, there's technically only one. They just liked to share.

"I suppose you being a demon is great for what I plan to do with you. You won't die as quickly as those ugly humans." She whispered as we climbed up to her room. See, my house decided to just give me to her in lieu of payment. Her kimono was more expensive than what the mother paid for me, and frankly speaking, they were terrified of her.

Any other time, I think I'd be crying by then. However, I needed to vent. For the first time, I felt like hurting someone would actually give me relief. Oh, how proud would Kibutsuji be if he knew.

There were children crying in the hall, and Warabihime just disappeared from my side. Next I heard her voice was from within her room, asking someone, "what are you doing in my room?" Despite not being able to see her, I felt a shiver run through me. She meant to intimidate whoever that was, and she knew exactly how to do it. I followed and saw that within the room was a young girl crying, beside her was Zenitsu.

Fighting between us demons wouldn't be wise. Too many people would get hurt. But with Zenitsu here…

"Forgive me for entering without permission! The room's in such disarray, and this girl was crying, so – " Zenitsu began to explain, the demon cutting him off with more insults. "Could you be any uglier? You really make me ill. Wouldn't you be better off dead?" She insulted him some more before going for the crying young girl. Zenitsu was quick in telling her to take her hands off the child.

A quick hit to the face and Zenitsu was flying across the room, unconscious. In a flash we were both on the ground, her underneath me. "You dare put your hands on me again? You absolute trash!" The young girls were screaming louder; crying louder but I was just focused on the demon. Incapacitate her at all costs!

Frost traveled from my feet down to her legs; from my hands and wrapping around her neck. I can feel it freezing her flesh. She was struggling, trying to break out of the quickly thickening frost. Then her disguise fell, her eyes declaring that she was the Upper Six. But she was shaking. I found great satisfaction in the slight tremble of her eyes as she tried to smile. "You can't fool me." I whispered, shedding my own disguise. The surprise on her face was delicious. "Seventh Moon? It's… ha! You foolish, silly bitch. There's no such thing as a Seventh Moon. And even if there is, I am higher than you!"

"Hmmm… that is if you are truly the Upper Moon. But you see, I –" A man's voice roared over the all the crying, cutting me off; "Warabihime Oiran!" I felt his hands on my shoulders, pulling me away. The demon's eyes looked at the man, and at the girls. In that moment, I understood that if I pushed this demon even more, she wouldn't care who she kills.

I let myself be pulled away, frost leaving her body entirely. "It's almost time for us to open. Our customers will be arriving. I'll be sure to reprimand them harshly. Please, just help me save some face."

As if she wasn't just contemplating everyone's murder seconds ago, Warabihime smiled pleasantly as she stood back up. "I suppose I may have lashed out at them too mercilessly. Tend to her wounds, please." Then she turned to me, "this one ruined my kimono, and now I must change. Also, she is not a new trainee. She could start by cleaning this room. Master, please raise your head. I'm the one who should be apologizing."

She left after she changed. I'd expected her to do something to me, but she just ignored me. Oh! This was something Uzui-san should know. As I sat beside the still unconscious Zenitsu and began writing my report, an odd feeling came over me. Another presence?

"Hmm, Y/N-chan?" Zenitsu mumbled as he tried to sit up. "Your cheek is swollen. Put some ice on it. Here." That really was a bad hit. Zenitsu was about to say something when sashes slithering like snakes came from the ceiling. "Zen –"

"Y/N!" I was tackled into a hug, wrapped in the scent that I knew to belong to Akaza. I didn't know what was happening, nor where we were. But I was sure I'm safe. With him, I am and will always be safe.

Safely wrapped up in Akaza's hug, I could see some people with us. Uzui-san, Zenitsu, and Inosuke. Standing with them were two women – Uzui-san's wives, perhaps? Littered across the ground were more unconscious women, and bloody segments of what looked to be a sash. The demon's sash! It's what she used to take both me and Zenitsu.

Akaza pulled back to look me over, examining me for injuries as if I were a human being. "That demon hurt you, didn't she?" I touched my cheek. The slap didn't leave a mark, but I almost felt the sting again once I was reminded of it. Akaza's demeanor changed. He turned, "Hashira, any moment now and Gyuutaro would appear. Let's go."

"Yeah. It's time to put on a real flamboyant show!"

[Oiran -is a collective term for the highest-ranking courtesans in Japanese history, who were considered to be above common prostitute.
Edamame - is Japanese dish and prepared of immature soybeans in the pod]