12: Aoi

It felt so good being back on the mountaintop. The new place he had brought me to was lovely. It was a little warmer on the mountain at this time of year and I was happy to be able to walk out and feel the sun and grass instead of freezing in the snow.

I was so pleased when told me his plan. I didn't think he was even going to consider it. Since he no longer had to hide himself from me we teleported the moment I was packed and I was kind of glad that I wouldn't have to wait. As fun as the train was it was nice to not have to travel only at night.

My master was silent as we entered the cottage and I was overwhelmed from the pops of color running throughout the place. It smelled heavenly and I knew this place was filled with a gorgeous array of color.

He didn't seem like the type to get me flowers, but I was so thrilled at the sight that I felt tears welling up in my eyes. He placed his hand on my lower back and I felt him kiss my temple.

"Master, they're beautiful! Thank you."

"You can see the flowers?" he sounded surprised.

I nodded and reached for his face, "Only on the mountains. I'm not sure why but my abilities are stronger up here. I can see new, shining aura's of all kinds of living things."

He chuckled, "That would explain why you were so exuberant the first time we came up here." He led me over to a couch and he loomed over me. I loved the way his aura shined around him, completely engulfing me.

My body grew excited when he kissed me. I opened my legs for him as his hand reached for my thigh and I couldn't have been happier. I enjoyed every little nip and touch he gave me and I always craved more.

He seemed to be getting heavy with his pets when he suddenly pulled away. I started to whimper but I stifled it. My master let out an irritated sigh and pressed his lips to mine one more time before standing.

I knew better than to ask, but watching his mood go from sweet to sour in an instant had me afraid.

"Lord Muzan? Are you alright?"

He grunted and his finger danced across my cheek for a moment, "Yes little wife. I am not mad at you. It is my incompetent subordinates. I leave for less than an hour and suddenly they have important news. I do not enjoy leaving you considering what happened last time, but it is broad daylight and I have informed everyone that they should keep far away from this place. Still, stay within the limits of the yard. Understood."

I bowed my head, "Yes master, I understand. Please return to me safely." I was surprised that I was even allowed to go outside, but I wasn't about to argue. I wanted nothing more than to bury my toes in the dirt and feel the soil.

Never once before had I been given the opportunity to explore nature at my leisure and I was absolutely buzzing at the idea. If my master wanted to do unspeakable things to me later as a reward for himself then I would gladly give him anything he asked for.

Master gave me one more hard kiss before disappearing from my view. Ever since he had realized that I knew, things have changed. He didn't hide his demon powers from me and the less I reacted the bolder he grew.

In a way it was a huge relief. I thought he had always known that I knew, but when he kissed me so feverishly for the first time I knew that was not the case. I couldn't believe that my master wanted me in such a way, it made my heart soar.

Truth be told it was part of the reason I wanted to come back out here. The energy was strong enough that it was almost like I could see him when he was in the room. It outlined his body well and it made me feel just a little bit closer to him.

I decided not to waste anymore daylight and I felt my way to the door. The warm sun hit my face and I breathed out a happy sigh of relief. I left my shoes in the entryway and took my first few steps into the grass.

The earth felt warm in the summer heat and from where I was standing I could see line after line of beautiful colors as this place was surrounded by bright wildflowers. I made my way to the nearest line and touched the velvety petals with my hands. I recognized the colors as the same from inside and I wondered if my master had been so kind as to pick them for me. It seemed unlikely, but I enjoyed the thought.

A flash of light caught my attention. I turned my head and for the briefest of moments and saw something shimmering in blue and gold. I had never seen a flower's aura like that before, it was so beautiful.

I bit my lip. I know I had been instructed not to leave the property, but the aura around those flowers was so pretty that surely they were a sight to behold. I wanted to thank my master in some way other than physical, and while I'm sure flowers weren't exactly his thing I kind of wanted them for myself.

They flashed in my eye again. They didn't seem that far. I could probably run over there, grab a generous handful, and be back before he even knows I'm gone. I stood and took a few steps towards the glittering aura.

They swayed in the wind like all the others but I was completely mesmerized by the sight. As I got closer it was hard to tell exactly how far away they were. After each step I looked back periodically to make sure I could still see the line of flowers of the cottage. When I confirmed that I could I boldly kept walking.

I felt confident that this would be a quick trip, that is until my foot hovered over nothing and I found myself tumbling down the side of the hill. I rolled over myself again and again, surely getting my kimono and hair dirty and stained with grass.

When I landed at the bottom of the hill I was out of breath and disoriented. When I looked around I was surrounded by the blue and gold aura of the flowers, but I could not see the line of the cabin.

My master was surely going to scold me something fierce for this. I tried to smooth down my hair and my clothes but even without sight I knew they were covered in dirt. Maybe if I greeted him naked it would soften the blow.

I started to sit up and my back ached. I was sure to have some bruises. As it was there was a particular sore spot on my leg where I might have hit a rock on my way down. I rubbed it as I got my wits about me.

Footsteps behind me startled me. I turned around and was speechless at the bright white light running towards me. I wasn't sure if I believed in angels, but this person's aura was so large and so pure that it was like a gateway to heaven. It was hard to believe that human beings could be so pure.

"Miss! Oh my that was quite the fall, are you alright?"

The light around this boy was so bright, but squinting didn't help my situation so I was instead blinded a second time as he helped me up.

"Thank you," I said as the boy stepped away. He was only a little taller than me but he sounded young. I looked around but all I could see was a field of the glittering flowers, "where am I?"

"You fell off that hill up there. I – Oh! You're blind. Forgive me for not noticing sooner," he fell silent for a moment, "how did you get over here?"

"Um, I was trying to get here actually, to find this field. You see, I can't see like normal people but I can see auras of certain things. When I'm in the mountains I can see more, and this field is gorgeous. I wanted to pick some of these flowers for my ma –" I coughed, "my husband."

It felt weird calling him that title after so long, even if that's what he was on paper. The boy let out a breathy laugh and he shone a happy warm yellow.

"That's a very admirable thing for you to do, Miss. Do you need some help?"

I glanced back in the direction I thought the hill was, but I wasn't entirely sure.

"Would it be too much trouble to ask for help back up the hill after I gather some flowers? I'm afraid I seem to have lost my way after the fall."

"Of course! I'm glad you asked. I would feel terrible if I found out something happened to you. Here." I felt him press something smooth and kind of large into my palm.

"Oh, what's this?"

"It's my canteen. These lily's don't last very long out of the ground so it's best to put them in water if you wish to preserve them."

I smiled, "Thank you, um..."

"Tanjiro! Tanjiro Kamado."

"It's a pleasure to meet you Tanjiro, you are such a sweet kid. My name is Aoi."

His aura bent a little as he bowed to me, "Nice to meet you Miss Aoi."

Tanjiro helped me gather the lilies. From the way they felt they were spindly and delicate, I loved how light they felt in my hands. He was right in that they didn't last long because the moment I plucked them their light began to fade. I was grateful to have found some help, but I was secretly praying that my master would not smell him on me.

When we were finished I was ashamed that the only directions I could give him were that it was on top of the hill. He gently held my arm as we ascended up a different hill, his voice directing me on where to step.

He was such a kind and gentle soul that it was an honest shock from being around my master, but I wouldn't have him any other way. My master was my ruler, my king, my love. Even if I never get to say those words or hear them be said, I had a feeling deep inside of me that he cared about me more than he could ever let on.

After revealing that I knew he was a demon his aura had completely changed alongside his actions. Instead of ever swirling with an angry red he was always a pretty soft pink. He was always in a pleased and pleasant mood around me and I wished he could see himself through my eyes sometimes.

As we walked the line of the flowers came into view. A flood of relief went through me as he brought me to the front door.

"Your home is lovely Miss Aoi. It's so colorful and full of life!"

I felt my cheeks heating at the idea of my master planting all of the flowers for me, "Thank you. From what I can see I would have to agree. I believe my m – husband planted them for me."

"He must really care about you," Tanjiro's voice was soft and far away as if he were remembering something.

I clasped my hands together, "Yes. I would think so too."

A moment of silence passed between us before Tanjiro excused himself to return home as the sun was beginning to sink below the horizon. Before he left I made sure to put the flowers in a vase and return his canteen, I didn't want my master to question why I had it. After he left I made sure to shut the door before carefully making my way into the kitchen where I set it up on the little island.

When I was pretty sure it was centered I took a step back to admire my work. Among all of the other lights in the room that one shone the prettiest. While I was proud of myself, there was still a shadow of doubt in the back of my head that my master would obliterate me for going out so far.

As if on cue I heard the door opening. I ran towards the sound and sure enough my master was there. He opened his arms and I threw myself into them.

"Welcome home Lord Muzan."

He kissed me softly. His breath smelled faintly of blood but I didn't question it. While it discomforted me it was something I was growing used to. He had never come home with the smell lingering on him before, and while it deeply disturbed me I believed that it was his way of showing that he trusted me.

"What have you been up to today little wife? You are all dirty."

"I," I stuttered a little but quickly found my footing, "I got you a present."

"Me, a present?" he sounded confused.

I giggled at his reaction and reached until I found his hand. He wasn't showing any anger yet so that made me less worried. I wordlessly led him into the kitchen with a barely concealed grin, "It's not much, but I could see it in a nearby field. I wish you could see nature like me master. The aura is so beautiful, they glitter in hues of blue and gold in a way I've never seen before. They stand out even among all of the gorgeous flowers here."

"Little wife, flowers are not something–"

I felt him freeze. He let go of my hand and I began to grow concerned when he didn't say anything. He just stood there in shock and I began to squirm because he had never been this silent for this long.

"M-master Muzan?"

"You," his voice trailed off and I gulped hard. I quickly got to my knees with my head on the floor. My heart was beating hard in my ears and I dared not to look at him.

"Please forgive me, master. I – I..." truthfully I wasn't entirely sure what I had done wrong if he didn't know, but he has certainly punished me for less. Hopefully this punishment would be swift. I involuntarily flinched when I felt his hand on my back.

I was confused when he took my hand and helped me stand. When I looked upon him he was glowing the brightest pink I had ever seen. I let out a sigh of relief. He wasn't mad after all.

"Aoi," I was shocked at hearing my name.

"Y-yes master Muzan?"

"You have done well," he kissed me so hard that his teeth knocked against mine. There was a whirring and I knew we had teleported but I didn't know where to. The air felt cold and rigid and I could hear a fire being lit.

"You have no idea what this little flower means to me, my excellent wife. This is the key I've been looking for, and you so casually found it and plucked it all for me. You will certainly be rewarded well for this. It is time for you to make your choice."

I felt my heart almost beating right out of my chest. I reached for him and was not disappointed when he took my hand and pulled me into him for another kiss. "T-time? You mean… you really do want me forever, Lord Muzan?"

He chuckled, "How could I not after such a wonderful gift? My wife, my Aoi. For the longest time I have hated what I am and the creatures I've made, but it would be my greatest pleasure for you to become a demon with me and join me in eternity." Master handed me a cup with a warm liquid in it, "If you drink this with me, everything will be perfect. Nothing will ever have to change between us."

He drank whatever the mysterious liquid was with zero hesitation while I sniffed at it. It had a sour scent and I felt myself pausing. Did I really want to live forever? I wasn't sure, but if it was with him then perhaps it wouldn't be so bad.

I watched his aura grow faint at my hesitation. I had been thinking nonstop about our conversation the other day. If he had asked me to turn when we first met I think I might've said no, because if hadn't saved me I would've been lost and alone in the stretch of eternity. Surely I would've been killed by a demon slayer as I was not the stealthy type.

But if it meant I could be with him, that he was choosing me, then I would gladly accept.

Not wanting to disappoint him any longer I downed the whole thing. I nearly gagged on the taste but as I began to ingest it I felt my body immediately changing.

A pain bloomed in my chest and I fell to my knees. My body reacted without the rest of me and I squirmed, trying desperately to get away from the pain. I felt his hands on me as he tried to calm me but I couldn't stop the convulsions.

My eyes burned horribly and my hands flew to them to try and cover the suddenly bright light that was shining on them. I could hear myself screaming and for a moment everything went completely dark.

The pain slowly dissipated and left me with an unbearable hunger. The burning settled to a tingling and I slowly opened my eyes to see a very handsome, pale man standing above me. There was a soft smile on his face and his reddish-pink eyes glowed.

I couldn't believe it.

"M-master is that you?"

Joy filled his features and if I concentrated I could just barely make out a ring of pink around his body. I could still see his aura but it was hard with his face now taking up all of the blackness I was so used to before.

"Little wife," watching his lips move as he spoke was mesmerizing. I couldn't contain my joy as I grabbed his face and pulled him in for a kiss. I began to cry and he wiped the tears away.

I thanked him over and over again. Maybe being a demon wouldn't be so bad after all. I would've gladly given up everything all over again if it meant I could be this happy with him for the rest of eternity.

He pressed his forehead against mine and shut his eyes. He breathed me in and I felt him squeezing me. He smiled as he kissed me over and over again. I kept my eyes open as I stared into his soul, it was hard to believe that I had been blessed with sight, I was so convinced that I'd still be blind even as a demon.

He kissed my cheeks, my mouth, my neck, anywhere his lips could reach. He teleported us back to our bed in an instant and I held his face between my palms. It felt so surreal to finally see him. His smile, his gentle eyes looking at nothing else in the world but me, I loved everything about him so much that I thought my heart would burst.

He brushed some of my hair from my face, "You look stunning as a demon. You were beautiful as a human but now you are even more radiant."

I couldn't contain myself any longer. I pulled him into me and whispered in his ear, "Master. Lord Muzan, thank you. I – I love you! I really do."

The corner of his mouth quirked up as he kissed me again, "And I you, my perfect little wife."