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Chapter Text

'It all started in a snowy day.'

It was New year's eve.

Another year had passed, another year that slap Kibutsuji Muzan in the face that he was growing old...he is currently 17yrs old by this time. In his ruly black long hair -tied up loosely in the range of his waist. Wearing a white kimono...he walks through this winter field like a ghost. He was pale as the snow,his eye color is unable to be recognize as they look very ill.

'Cold~'

He breath in his mouth, that the smoke of freezing weather shows visible in the air.

'But...They feel fine for now...'

Even so, he kept walking in the snow without any destination. Muzan just wanted to stroll around. His whole life was caged in his room.

Because he was ill.

The morning walks tires him, the night time was his lonesome moments.

The winter is in between.

Therefore he does not mind the cold. It will never bother him.

Until...

KRING~

A sound of a bell pulled him away from depressing thoughts he always harbor within himself.

"Hm...?"

Turning his head to his right, someone wearing a very interesting fiery outfit, dances in the middle of the snow.

There were torches of fire lit up in a form of circle. As if a ritual is going on,however nobody else was there. Just the person inside the circle.

The face of the person is unknown for a paper hiding it's identity. Some kanji written on it, but he couldn't read it from afar his stance.

"What is this?" It was his first time seeing someone else in this snow, or he probabbly walked so far that he had astray away from his private palace quarters.

The mysterious human has a long pony tailed up red burgundy tips. His kimono colored in red, black and somewhat orange fire designs. The person had a wooden sword witb bells attached to them, consist atleast six bells or seven. It was hard to count, but the sound it produce is loud enough as a group. Ringing and echoing in the silent winter. The torches creating shadows whenever he moves...

The person seem to be practicing a sword fight, but then again...he was bare foot. He can hear the breathing pattern of the said person.

'It looks exhausting...is it a dance...? It is very cold, how can this person move much...?'

By the looks of it, it is obviously look like a ritual or whatever. Muzan had mused at the sight. 'Very enchanting~'

He can see so little but there was a somewhat Hanafuda earrings which is dangling in the person's both ears.

How magical.

"What a beautiful dance...What is it called?" He questioned no one. To his surprise one of his servant appeared by his side. "Muzan-sama, there you are." Muzan though was not startled, as he is used to it.

Muzan was the one at fault, his sense of feeling of someone approaching is weak. Because he is terminally ill. He cannot even taste food anymore. So he was thankful he can atleast walk in such days as this.

"It is called Hii No Kami Kagura, Muzan-sama...it is a dance you offer to celebrate the birth of the Sun god." Staring at the fire dancer, he was captivated.

'I want to have a closer look...'

Not wanting to be obvious that he planned to walk near, he added another question to his servant. "Is that a girl or a boy dancing? He looks frail and his hair is too shiny...The height is so short like a girl would be." the servant chuckled at his child like question, he knew Muzan was trying to critic the mystery in his vision.

They were used to it.
After all he rarely sees such things.
He was always forced to stay at bed.

Every single day that he breaths and wake.

"True. But that is a young boy. He is the priest right now from 'Tajirou' clan. Every year end they do this offering. It happens that it is the first time you had 'timed up' the session."

When the servant said that, the servant gently touch his shoulders from behind to gesture that they needed to go back home.

"Tanjirou...it means 'Charcoal'. I see..." still amazed at the dancer. The servant insisted his wish for his health. "Muzan-sama, let us get inside. The snow will make you more sick." But it irate him.

"I know that fool. But let me see this beautiful ritual till the end..."

...

'His dance gives light to my boring sick life.'

...

Muzan can never forget that beautiful fire dance that awed him during the night of new year's eve.

One week has passed. Muzan decided to rebel again by not resting at his bed of luxury. He did drink the awful medicine his doctor gave him, it did not have any effect...but Muzan does not care anymore. He just wanted to get over with it because he refuse to remain bed ridden.

Muzan is currently walking in the hallway with his delicate legs and foot with thick socks. He is currently wearing a black kimono for men.

"There is no sun at all..." the winter is about to disappear, but for some reason the sky looks gloomy and Muzan is disappointed.
He wanted to see the sun, even though he knew it will make him faint.
He easily get heat stroke after all.

He keep strolling around his home until someone bumped to his chest. Muzan's bored eyes widen.

'Hanafuda earrings...!'

"W-woah! I'm very sorry...!" said the young one, he looks up to Muzan. Revealing the most gentle eyes he has ever seen. He has ruffled long, black hair with burgundy tips, combed back to expose his forehead and pony tailed up, wide, dark red eyes with white pupils that appear lighter around the lower section of his irises. He had a rather tanned skin but somehow they look frail. As if he was a girl.

The young one gasp and is visibly ashamed from bumping him. "Oh no! It's y-you!" He knew he is in trouble. Muzan disregarded his panic by simply asking. "Your name is?"

"Eh?" Blinking. Muzan has a unreadable face. He was observing him so closely. 'I remember this hairstyle...'

"You are the priest right? What is your name...?" He guessed. Regaining composure, politely with a bright smile he introduced himself.

"My name is Tanjirou Sumiko, Kibutsuji-sama. I was assigned and summon to your palace to pray for your long life."

Muzan could not help but roll his eyes and mock the said duty of the younger. "Call me by my first name, Also you meant to pray for my inccurable illness~so foolish." It was not new.

Muzan had met other priest during his childhood. Some were old and grumpy,or smurky teenager. Some is around his age. By the looks of it, this Sumiko looks atleast 16yrs old. Muzan is older a year atleast. Basically it is his first time having a young priest to pray for his well being. It does not look promising.

Sumiko shout in disbelief from his cold statement. "W-what!? You do not believe in the power of prayer?!" He was pouting.

"I do not believe... if the gods you speak of has abandoned my fate." He said shortly. Making Sumihiko lower his head. "Did they not?"

"..."

Sumihiko can smell such sadness the older one is emitting. 'I got to do something...! Say something that will change his perspective!' With such resolve. "T-thats sad." He blurts out.

"What?" Sumihiko looks up to him with such caring eyes...as if he feels the pain of Muzan.

"I-I mean...I know you were bedridden at some point but...I think the gods still favor you." He said with a gentle voice. Muzan arch an eyebrow,he was bemused.

"How so? I can't even play outside when I was younger." Muzan wanted to win the arguement. It was getting on his nerves...suddenly the nice priest told him with a positive smile!

"I mean...you were bless with such beauty mylord~!" Taken back. Muzan blushed.

"H-huh?" He was creeped out, yet Sumihiko marched forward like he forgot he shouldn't be too close to the royal heir of this kingdom.

"You are a very handsome man Muzan-sama!" He says so cheerfully, invading the private space as he takes a step closer. Muzan steps back in response."Hehe! I bet girls will head over heels to you, compare to my looks! I look like a dork! Hehehe~!"

Muzan looks away and dismiss him. "Be silent!" Walking away, Sumihiko was confuse if what he said was offensive. Muzan glance at him for a second before leaving him to feel stupid in the hallway.
"You are just sugar coating my condition. Go back to dancing! That is the only thing you are good for..." evil smug. "Priest Sumiko."

With that he ditch him. But deeply...Muzan was moved.

'Strange...usually am called pale as dead...but he said I look good...?'

A smile in his lips.
Muzan is looking forward to his new assigned priest.

"Tanjirou Sumiko is such a sunshine furrball."

After that encounter, Sumihiko has officially lived in the palace to send a direct prayer for the prince's health to be better.

"Goodnight Muzan-sama. Rest well."

Says Sumiko with a mother like smile, as if he was his personal nurse than a priest. Laying Muzan to his futon, night time has come. Sumiko left his room.

"It is indeed night..." sitting up, Muzan is not sleepy again. "Another night to investigate~" smirk on his lips,he went out of his room to stalk Sumiko.

...

'He is doing it again...'

Peeking at the boy inside the shrine. Everynight, Muzan will be told to sleep well by his priest. Then the said priest will go off somewhere...instead of sleeping, he will be praying at this shrine.

It was the shrine of Sun and Moon.

There are carvings of the rising sun and a lunar eclipse in the wall. Quietly...with a fire giving light in the dark night. Sumiko is praying with his knees on the floor. Eyes closed, lips tight shut.
He looked asleep in meditation is what Muzan portray his posture.

Sumiko is wearing a red and black checkered kimono with a green haori. His red locks are still tied up in a sweet pony tail. His forehead is huge as ever, his eyebrows were relax. Time to time they would knit together...as if he was doing a intense conversation with the heavens inside his mind.

'How pecular, his way of praying...'

Muzan had always been urging to interrupt him eversince he saw him dance in the winter with majestic movements.
Something about Sumiko is interesting, specially his trademark hanafuda earrings.

'I want to know him more. I want to know his secret...'
Muzan dared for the first time. He walk towards him and speak his curiosity.

"What exactly are you praying for?"

Startled. Sumiko's eyes snaps open and turns to look up at the tall figure. "M-Muzan-sama! Why are you walking around so late..?!" Is his first response as he stood up.

Muzan shrugs, he did not care about his own. In fact he is annoyed how everyone always order him to sleep.

"I do what I want. I do not live long."

He stated facts making Sumiko scratch his cheeks. "Uhh..." Muzan proceed to pester him, he move forward causing Sumiko to stay at his spot. "Answer my question."

Sumiko is actually focus on his prayer that he did not really hear the question from earlier. "Pardon...?"

Muzan sighs and started walking in circles. Specifically circeling around Sumiko. Muzan was very intimidating to be exact.

"You see...All the priest they had given me, everyone one of them claims to pray for my health to be better." There was a hint of doubt in his voice, Sumiko followed him with observing eyes. "~ I wonder what kind of chant you are doing...You are weird you know?"

Sumiko can't help but arch his eyebrow,he was somewhat offended. But he was patient to let him finish.

Muzan is sharing his thoughts. "Usually they will sing an enka, or say some ancient rubbish tongue that they call a prayer...Instead here you are...kneeling and crossing your fingers, your eyes are closed. You do not even speak."

Muzan stops infront of him, their eyes captured to focus on eachother. Muzan had a sly fox smile.

"~So share me...what exactly are you praying for that I haven't heard...?" He lifted his chin teasingly to provoke the shorter guy.

"Enlighten me~Sumiko."

Sumiko was silent. He made a proper inhale of oxygen to keep his temper in check. 'He is acting like a brat.' He commented inside his mind. Able to compose his maturity for the prince.

"My prayer for you is..." he showed him an endearing smile. "Is to be happy." Shock and confused.

"Happy?" Muzan echoed in a form of question. Sumiko giggles as he told him his own opinion of prayers.

"Im sure the prayer did work from the previous priest before me. I heard you were dead as an infant. You went 50-50 around the age of 10 years old. Everytime you age, death has always tease you...yet you were still alive. Meaning the prayers of your previous priest did work. I think until now it is effective...so I wanted to pray something that nobody has wish you for."

He took his hands and cups them with support.

"And that is happiness."

Still shock at Sumiko's explanation, Sumiko close his eyes in a way of wishing out the small hope for him.

"In a feeble countable life of a human...may you be happy Muzan-sama." Opening his crystal clear and trustful eyes. He declares his oath for Muzan.

"That is I, Priest Tanjirou Sumiko prays from the bottom of my heart."

Muzan for the first time is speechless.

'If only kindness in his heart did not exist...there would be no reason for me to destroy that light.'

.

.

.

.

.

.

The moonlight will steal the rays of the sun...

Chapter Text

The memory of warmth continues until it withers...

"Did you drink your medicine? Did you took your medicine?" Ask by Sumiko multiple times. Tired of hearing the same question with such a worry-rat attitude. Muzan is completely annoyed.

"Yeah~yeah. I did,now stop pestering me."

He ordered him, making the young one back down.

"S-sorry mylord."

'Tanjirou Sumiko is always humble and a pain in my neck...He tends to bicker rather than an advisor.'

Muzan and Sumiko right now is enjoying the mundane morning. Spring has come to japan where birds chirping peacefully.Visible higanbana flowers on the flower field. Green grass and green leaves...Swaying trees, crystal pond.

The sun is up and smiling down.

Muzan is not particularly happy, he actually felt exhausted today. The weather is not really hot,but it makes his skin sensitive.

That is why Muzan just took his medicine and is currently sitting at his futon. Well dressed in blue kimono with white lilies pattern up to his chest and thighs. Sumiko and Muzan is staring at the sky together by the open door that you can consider a 'window' during the Heian period.

Sumiko meanwhile is wearing his priest uniform. Colored in red and orange fiery patterns robe, however this is not his outfit during the Hii No Kami Kagura dance. His forehead wears a red headband with a kanji written 'Priest of Fire'

Sumiko would literally always say good morning to him with a cheerful greeting. Sure, his servant does the same, but Sumiko does it in a higher level of enthusiasm.
Immediately he would ask the young master if he took his meds,otherwise he will scold him. He was a worry rat because if Muzan will not take his dose,he will be unable to sit at all...worst he couldn't eat.

Muzan is a big sack of burden if he was not a son of a rich man. For that quoted, Sumiko knows how to serve him well. Technically babysit him while praying that he will be better.

"What a very beautiful morning don't you think so Muzan-sama...?" He ask him with a smile.

Muzan did not roll his eyes, he was still feeling bitter in his tongue regarding the early medicine...but then again, because Sumiko told him that he wanted him to be happy.
Sometimes...just sometimes, Muzan acted happy if not feeling drained by hid sickness.

Until the wind blows.

Whooosh~

The earrings dangling with the wind's movement. It spark his curiousness.

Muzan spoke.

"Those hanafuda earrings. Where did you buy that?" He questioned the boy whose currently adjusting the sliding door not to be so 'open'. The young master is not allowed to be exposed on too much sunlight or he will get a heatstroke. As he work with his body, he answered him.

"Ahh these...? I did not buy them. The Sun god made them for me." He stop fixing the door slide as he already done the adjustment.

Walking towards the master at bed. Muzan is surprise at such honest disclosure. "What...? You met the Sun god...?" Realizing he use the wrong words, Sumiko corrects himself while feeling embarrass. "Ah! I mean...not really but...err." he took a deep breath to compose his thoughts.

"It is like this. My clan, the 'Tanjirou Clan' is a charcoal burner for the god of Sun." He sat in an Indian seat to have the same eye level to Muzan's. The conversation continues. "All of the first born tend to have some defect..." he subconsciously touch his left side of ear. Muzan arch his eyebrows in confusion. "Defect? How? You look normal to me." He said so truthfully. Sumiko blush and scratch the back of his head feeling complimented.

"Hehe...really? Im glad I look normal to you...but am not." Before his expression turned serious, making Muzan dive in to the conversation in more attention.

"Elaborate."
"Yes of course."

The priest smiles as he chitchat, lifting his pointy finger in a manner of explaining things to him. "Ok...you see, all of the first born of charcoal burner for the sun gods is always emotionless."
Muzan is interested to hear more. "Emotionless...?" He echoed. Sumiko closed his eyes as his hands went to his chest...to hear his own heartbeat, Muzan mused at him.

"From the word itself, I was born without any heart, no reaction. I was alive but I was like a still doll. I was also mute." He opened his eyes and they look blessed. "This smiling me did not exist you know?"

Suddenly in disbelief, Muzan made a rude comment.
"Ok...isn't that a mental illness then?" Though he was truly not understanding Sumiko's condition. "Well,maybe...but my parents taught to carve these for me. They put it in my ears and they prayed." He says calmly. Muzan pushed for more information.

"What did they prayed?"

Sumiko looks at the sky, "Good question~" he hummed before his sight landed back to Muzan with the usual honest eyes that would never invent a story to lie.

"They said may the eldest son can smile like the god sun."

'Beautiful.. his expression is always beautiful.' Muzan mentally thoughts. He was mesmerizing him. Sumiko put his thumbs under his chin to recall the right memories.

"For some reason, they say..." scratching his head, he started to panic. "I-I mean I cannot remember okay? I was around 5 years old...I learned to smile like a baby should be doing at that kind of age and so fort. I was strange!" He sighs at his own failure to explain himself.

However Muzan did not care anymore. He jump the topic to end with assumption how he understood all those words from his priest.

"So...those earrings are magical gift is that it?"

Delighted that they were on the same page,Sumiko moved closer and glee his hands to the floor as he was looking straight face to face to his master. "Yes! It is blessing by the god of sun!"
Muzan on the other hand revealed an evil grin though...
"What will happen if I remove it?" His pale right hand went to invade Sumiko's cheeks, he cup them out of nowhere making the young one blush.

"Eh? Muzan-sama-" but..."Ah!" Hissing from sudden pain he felt in his right ear. Yes, Muzan pulled one of the earrings!
The spoiled young master lift the object to spin in his fingers, the hanafuda earrings had small blood on them. He look at Sumiko with a Cheshire cat face.

"Did that made you loose a part of you?"

Angry. Sumiko forgot his manners, he raised his fist and start whining and complaining. "W-what the! Why are you being violent to me...?!" Trying to remain not too honest that he was hurt...Sumiko back down and mumble his small plead not to be teased like this. "G-give it back...please..." Observing the sudden silence of his plaything rather than a priest. Muzan puts a stoic face.

"Did it hurt...?"

Making Sumiko snap one more time.
"What kind of question is that?! Of course it does...!"

Muzan spats back. "Then its a lie."

"Huh...?"

Wondering why his young master is staring to his soul as if...he was concerned, same time he was plainly up to win an argument. Muzan touch the wound in his right ear that he pulled the hook off. He was being invaded again from touches.

"Look at you, you are in pain~ you do not look like a doll to me Priest Sumiko."

He said with a small smile, ruby eyes widen for they were not expecting to hear such softness exist to this somewhat psychopathic edgy lord. "Eh...Muzan...sama..." Sumiko did not want to blush, he ended up getting red cheeks from such comment coming from the prince.

"S-such...kind words." Sumiko wanted to remain formal with his speech patterns, even if Muzan is being mean to him.
Muzan is always a brat that lacks attention and always had a lot of curiosity. "I do not deserve that your highness..." Sumiko averted his eye contacts to him,such negativity from his praise is a offensive act.

Muzan hates being denied and rejected whenever he spoke.

"Hmm~"

Muzan frowns at how his compliment was address as 'not worth for me' thingy...the usual servants would say that. Pulling away, "Here~!" Muzan toss the earrings to Sumiko, "Woah!" He quickly responded to catch it.

Muzan lays down and cover himself by the sheets. "Whatever, I'm tired now. I will sleep." He turned his back to him. Sumiko felt guilty. "M-Muzan-sama...?" Yet he was not sure what made the young master pout like this. 'What made him angry...? Is it because I didn't say 'thank you' instead?!'

"Wait!" He shouts.

Muzan remained covered in his futon without looking back to see the latter's facial expression right now.

"T-the truth is...It is my first time getting s-such compliment. I...I apologize if my response sounded negative and rude. I truly appreciate it Muzan-sama. I was just shy..so..um...err," he bows his head.
"Though please, do not pull my earrings again. They are very sacred and precious to me." Muzan waived his hand without even apologizing for his mistreat to him.

"I-I'll take my leave. Rest well Muzan-sama."

...

Sumiko after that cleaned the wound in his right ear and waited for it to heal, then he put back his hanafuda to balance the weight within his ears.

Sumiko couldn't remain angry as what the heir if this kingdom told him.
He repeated those words as he look to the water reflection.
"You do not..look like a doll..." a single thought of those courage of words made its way to cheer him up.

'To think he is comforting me instead of me making him feel better.' Stretching.

"Ahh~Ahh~ I still have a long learning to be a great priest like Rengoku-san!"

Days he spent with Muzan is the every time itself they make their own point of views laid off the table.

It was never boring.

'Beside his famous sunshine smile...I wanted to see a different side of him like the dawn. I wanted to expose something from him like the shadows, a emotion that I haven't seen to draw on his face like the water ripple. That is why...am always mean to him. I was drawn to the sunny smile of Sumiko...No matter how my skin hurts.'

Muzan is wearing his white kimono with a black haori. Sumiko is still wearing his priest outfit. They were outside of Muzan's room. They were here at the garden.

'Tonight there were countable stars. Especially...I'm counting him in...'

"Muzan-sama look, a shooting star!" Sumiko pointed at the said dashing star beneath this nightsky where he and Muzan currently sitting next to each other.

"I see that many times...trust me." Says Muzan with no slightest interest, Sumiko made a curious expression. It was his turn to ask him questions.
"You don't wanna make a wish?" Somehow, it sounded disappointed and pushy, Muzan could only shrug with a smirk.
"Childish." Hoping to make the other piss off, what he met was unreadable face.

Sumiko grip his fist as he carefully watch over his young master.

Both of them is currently sitting at the open bench. By means a bench is made of rock that was properly furnish to be sat on in a rectangle shape. There is enough space for them yet so close. Muzan did not mind to be sitting with him to witness the starry sky.
Though right now...as said, there are countable stars. It was not an impressive view.
You can say this was not the best star gazing session...

'Even though it was not the best night...Sumiko have altered it for me.'

"Muzan-sama...this may sound rude but...can I speak my thoughts about you?"
Sumiko ask softly with a stern face. Muzan made an evil smile and purposely sound challenged. He gave him the permission.

"Hohh~ you dare? Since am bored. By all means, tell me~"
Immediately accepting such freedom, Sumiko stood from his sit then he positioned to stand in front of Muzan to look big, as Muzan kept sitting with tired legs.

"Ok! Then...why are you always bored?"

Muzan made a face. "Isn't obvious? I can't do anything..." feeling attacked. "If I become too productive I will be bedridden." Almost raising his voice. "Do you have any idea how boring is that?" Annoyed in his throat, Sumiko tried to smooth talk the situation. 'Oops he got triggered...!'

Gulps.

"W-well ok...but have you tried writing books! Or...write some poem! Better try to sing!" He cracks a laugh. Somehow that made Muzan felt stupid for being triggered earlier. He gave him a stupid look.

"Are you being serious?"

Sumiko throws back another question, this time he was confident that it will not make Muzan angry. "Did you think those are for women only? It is not!" Muzan looks away, somehow his eyes had change expression from annoyed to somewhat lonely. "I know it is not. But am not interested." He said so coldly. Sumiko ignored his cold response, he widen his grin then points at Muzan.

"Ohh, then that means you are yourself is the 'boring'. You are a boring person!"
Muzan stood up and is once again triggered.

"What did you say!?" Vein pops. Sumiko still ignored the danger of making him angry...he kept his friendly smile and cups his chin into thinking.

"I mean you said you never done them...if by all means you are bored. That should have made you desperate to fill the boredom. You know...do the things you wont like to do is actually surprisingly killing time!" He claps his hands to snap Muzan's irate attention to think carefully. 'This priest...'

Clearing his throat, finally Muzan fix his stance, crossing his arms with an evil smirk. He wanted to make another argument. This time Muzan swore on his guts to make Sumiko loose a comeback.

'I'll expose his weakness then it will be his turn to feel awkward!'

Like a child hiding in a mature body, Muzan begin his play. "Big words~priest. Enlighten me about your hobbies other than praying then? If you cannot prove me that you are not a boring person like me~ am going to punish you." Taken back. "P-punish?!" Muzan marches forward to intermediate the latter. Widening his evil smirk, he leaned closer until their nose will almost touch. He teased him and dared him.

"Come on, tell me more about you Priest~ do not bore me. Tell me all the details~" Sweat drops, Sumiko looks away as he tried to keep smiling but obviously falling the act.

"Uhh...I dance?" Sweating more.
"I know that." Feeling the challenging stare.
"I...I pray?" Fidgeting.
"Absolutely." Still feeling attacked by the narrowing eyes of his master.
"Err...I...I..." Sumiko cursed himself mentally.

'Dammit! I did not have time for hobbies of luxury!'

Only to hear a giggle from the taller man until...it was laughter.

A laughing Muzan. "Pff-...Ahaha!" Muzan for the first time actually laugh his ass. "Ehm!" Jerking his head to see Muzan's jerk ass laughter. Sumiko went so red. "Ahahahaha~!" Lifting his fist in the air and childishly make them protest. "Dont laugh at me! Fine! Im boring as well!"

Muzan whose still laughing, he wipe his own tears of joy. "Well~now~...Why is that?"

Sumiko proudly stated. "Because...am the eldest...!" Muzan tilt in curiosity. "Hohh~? So what?" Sumiko crosses his arms to subside his embarrassment from earlier. He is trying to make a serious conversation with Muzan to forget about his 'boring hobbies'. "You do not have siblings so you wouldn't understand." Muzan is relaxed now. "Then explain it, fill me in~" Sumiko paused as he did not expect Muzan to just accept to move in the next topic.

'I thought mentioning him without any siblings will trigger him...I guess he doesnt mind being the only child.'

Smiling, Sumiko began sharing his personal point of view. "If you have siblings and you happen to be first born...helds a huge responsibility." But Muzan snorts to point out their other conversation regarding Sumiko's defect.

"Here I thought you said you were a toddler when you were around 5-6...?" Not feeling offended, Sumiko shrugs. "That happen. But after that I got a little brother then they multiply." Muzan is diving to more curiosity as he arch an eyebrow. "Ok...does having a sibling meant to take away free time?" Sumiko shakes his head in defense. "No! Not at all! It is fun!"

Muzan frowns at his declaration, as he made his arms hidden within the sleeves of his kimono. Sumiko notice that Muzan might be feeling a bit cold...but he wanted to respect his 'act' to look fine as they talk to each other under the countable stars.

"If so, how come you do not have time to pleasure your self~? From the sound and looks of it...I smell that you are always busy with responsibilities~"

Scanning around the area to see if anyone will pop out, Sumiko is actually thinking if he should ask Muzan and him to go inside.

'But I bet that would piss him off...'

Deciding to continue the talk.

"Y-yeah but...seeing them grow makes me proud that I was doing something right." Muzan kept adding more questions as he answers them, but the face his young master display was good. So maybe he was fine after all. 'He is enjoying doesn't he...? Im glad...'

"What will happen if you do not do your role? Obviously Im am only child, I would not know the difference~ so tell me, If you are free to do what you want. What would it be?" Sumiko made a bright smile.

"I would like to play in the sun with you Muzan-sama~!" Narrowing his eyes, Muzan doesn't believe him for a moment.

"Are you being serious?" Sumiko points to the dark sky, for some reason another shooting star went by...as if Sumiko knows it will come.
He crosses his finger with eyes looking straight to Muzan's.
Muzan is once again surprised at such honest feelings that makes his weak heart shiver.

"Yes! So If I saw again a shooting star...I will wish for it three times! Until then, get well!"

'Such prayer exist...such wishes...There will be no reason for me to glare at the stars anymore. No matter how subtle the scent of the midnight will be...Sumiko was my starlight.'

Months passed by just him and Sumiko sharing each of their interest and most of the time they do argue. However not to the point of not getting to make up.

Sumiko was a priest,his advisor, his person that he doesn't need to control his bad attitude and sharp tongue. The priest of fire would always smile and accept him.

Sometimes it makes him guilty but he would never actually admit it. Muzan has his own pride to protect. Like how Sumiko has his own duty to keep. Both shared a thread of bond.

Once again it was snowing.

"Alright! Time to perform the incantation!" Sumiko says energetically. Muzan behind him stood still with crossed arms.

"You mean the Hii No Kami Kagura?"

'The season went by so fast that New year's eve came again.'

"Yes!"

Sumiko is wearing his Hii No Kami Kagura uniform or to say the enchanting kimono that makes you envious to wear. The paper mask is not yet attached to his face.

Sumiko is currently stretching his legs and arms to prepare himself to make a sword dance once more in this snowy weather.

Take note he was bare foot. The young master decides not to question that.

Muzan quietly staring intently on his priest up and down and wondering if he can wear it too.
'It looks lovely...' correcting himself. 'He looks lovely in it.'

Taking a step forward, he was in a good mood. "How does it work?" Sumiko whose crackling his fingers paused his exercise for him. "Eh? The dance?" Muzan did not even hide the smile on his frail lips.

"Yes."

A little bit Sumiko is worried.
'His lips looks dry than the other day...is he okay...?'

Not wanting to break his mood,he guessed the spark in Muzan's eyes were alright. "You...you want to learn about it?" He said thoughtfully. Muzan covered himself more from his black kimono with a white haori.

He is actually freezing but he was hiding it from his priest.
'I want to see him dance closely. Am strong...am not weak. I will make this cold kneel!' Hiding his struggle with a smirk. "Not that am able to dance with my condition. But yes...If I get better, someday I would like to try this Hii No Kami Kagura." Smiling more. Sumiko failed to notice his lies.

"R-really? You mean it...?" Sumiko beamed in surprise.
Muzan took note of his reaction, he was not teasing him...Muzan had a quizzical look. "Why do you look so happy...?"
Sumiko moves closer with his energetic hands moving up and down. He sure is excited. "Because you are the first person who ever said that! Usually only within 'Tanjirou Clan' would like to learn!"

Muzan stared at him. "You mean they 'have to.'" Sumiko moves away feeling embarass whenever Muzan corrects him off. "Ekk...! Well yeah...sort of."

Muzan licked his lips to wet his drying flesh. "You mention before you are the eldest. Does this mean you have siblings? Am right?" Sumiko still did not notice Muzan's condition is actually not good right now despite the light atmosphere he produce.

"Yes I do. I have 6 of them!" Hearing the fact they were so many, Muzan is almost disgusted, "Six...what on earth." Fumming in anger. "Hey! Don't think bad of my parents!"

Muzan shuts him up. "No. That's not it. If there is six of you...does all of them has to learn this tradition?" Sumiko giggles and told him their tradition and how it works.

"Yes. But only the eldest has the right to perform the Hii No Kami Kagura dance~! Unless otherwise I die, the second eldest has too. If the second eldest dies, you already know whose next~! It does not matter if it is a girl or boy. But mostly were boys...you know! A man!" He thought Muzan's eyes will spark further instead he met a cold gaze.

Wondering what made him upset...

"Muzan-sama...?"

Muzan curtly told him. "Dont say 'I die' so lightly...you are getting on my nerves."

Sumiko panics and assured him. "E-ehh! Why are you mad? I just said 'If I die'! I do not have plans to die!" Delighted to hear that, Muzan smiled with hidden fear.

"Good. Because you are bound to me till I outlive my 20's."
Sumiko still unable to sniff something is wrong. "Oh...since it is new year, you will turn 18...by june 3rd..."

Muzan made the famous evil grinning he always do whenever he will make the other get triggered. "And you will turn 17...will you get taller though? Small person."

"Hey!" Flustered.

Muzan wave his right hand that had hid for a long time in his haori sleeves, he was making him shoo away.

"Hurry and dance for me~"

Sumiko knowingly sighs and smiled. "Muzan-sama...I offer this dance to the god of sun."grabbing the wooden sword. "How selfish he is then." Putting on the paper mask. "Oi,oi,oi..." fixing his clothes. "Fine, don't offer it to me. How boring." Seeing him pout, Sumiko laughs light heartedly.

"I may not offer it to you but...Please watch me closely~"

Positioning himself at the center of fire torches, Sumiko posed his swordsman stance.

"Sumiko...?"

On the side view, Muzan can see Sumiko is still smiling and his eyes were being connected to his pupil as he says to him so gentle voice.

"Look only at me and carve this fire dance to your very memories~"

The wooden sword moves.

KRING~!

Muzan was in the zone. The fire torches flickered.

Sumiko is swaying his wooden sword with bells ringing in their ears. Nobody else is here to watch except Muzan. As said, this is sacred...audience is allowed but not as many.

Technically at least three people can watch the beauty of this sacred dance offer to the gods.

KRING, KRING~...

Even though he doesn't feel well, Muzan remained at his position, his eyes were following every movement of Sumiko's clothes, hands, the long red haired ponytail, the flapping of the paper on his face. His bare feet in the cold snow.

Hearing his breathing, seeing the sweat escape on his skin.

'He was the fire itself.'

The serious gaze Sumiko is currently showing every time the paper reveals his face by accident as he sometimes jumps from left to right.

They look manly.

KRING~!

It was so elegant that Muzan is truly inspired.

'I would accidentally vanquished to ashes.'

Not even realizing time passed that the Hii No Kami Kagura dance was over. Sumiko is sweating, he flips up the paper mask to reveal his excited, he runs to him like a child. "So did you like it? Ah no..." shaking his head, "I mean did you love it?!"

Muzan whose been in a jawdrop. 'Ahh it is over already...?' He blinks, slowly his lips closed then they part to confess the lingering appreciation.

The feelings he had right now for his priest.

"...I love...you..." he said faintly but it was booming in Sumiko's ears.

"Eh?"

'He was my dearest...Sumiko was...was my...own. i want him to dance for me forever...'

Muzan realize he made a mistake. He looks away and crossed his arms once more to show his grumpy side. "I mean, I love you dancing the Hii No Kami Kagura." He ended the conversation just like that...making Sumiko scratch his cheeks with visible small blush before he shook his head.
For some reason he was disappointed when it was corrected.

'What is this...? Why did I feel down that he was not referring to me directly...?'

Trying to lighten up the awkwardness.
"I-its that s-so...o-of course that is what you meant." Cracked up smile.

Muzan suddenly coughs.

"*coughs!*"

"M-Muzan-sama?!" Violently...he coughs.

'What the?! Since when he was not feeling too well!? Dammit...I did not notice!'
Crouching with never ending cough, Muzan covers his mouth and kneel in pain. 'Am awful,I made him stay here at the winter just to let him watch me...I shouldn't have spoiled him!'

Scolding himself. Muzan is visibly having hard time to breath. He coughs unconditionally more and more. Thankfully there is no blood.
"*coughs!-coughs!*" the panic rise from Sumiko, he crouch down as well and pat his back for comfort.

"H-hang in there! Muzan-sama...Muzan-sama...!"

However..

"Ugh...!"

Muzan collapses.

"No!" Catching him in his arms, he was in high fever. "Noway!" Putting Muzan at his small back. "Wait a minute...!" Sumiko drag his legs all the way back to the the main mansion.

"Muzan! Keep it together...! Don't you die...! I swear...as your priest, I will save you!"

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3 weeks Muzan was bedridden after that incident.

Sumiko did his best to everyday...massage his young master's body. Like the legs, the arms, the thighs, his face, his fingers and palms. Sumiko had witness how Muzan was in pain and it breaks his heart.

'He is pitiful...' staring down at the sleeping Muzan whose currently grunting at his bed. 'To think since birth he had to bear such body pain...'
Sumiko knows Muzan will be mad if he finds out he was giving him the pity look.
Muzan hates being addressed as weak, it hurts his pride as a man and as a suppose to be heir to own japan.

Sumiko cannot actually see that bright future after witnessing how serious Muzan illness was.

'His skin went paler than before...' subconsciously grabbing some hair strands from Muzan's black long curly hair...'His hair is like a seaweed...they are not happy.'

Grabbing the small towel and dip it to the water,he began washing the prince.

Sumiko couldnt make out a proper face right now. Touching the frail arms of Muzan, "He loose weight again-"

A dark voice echoed.

"Does my complexion look terrible to you? Does my face look pale to you? Do I look weak to you? Does it look like I haven't got long to live? Does it look like I'm close to death?"

Gazing down to the owner of the voice. Muzan is doing a death glare to his priest.
Sumiko gasps as he still held the frail arms of Muzan with the rubbing towel. "Y-you finally woke up!"

Unconsciously Sumiko jumps to hug him. "Uwaa! Muzan-sama!" Muzan's anger stops. "...!?" Sumiko started to sob his joy for him to come back. "Thank you Lord! Thank you! Muzan-sama...you finally came to your senses...! I thought you would never wake up!"

Muzan silently accepted his tears and the said embrace...he was hesitant to move his hands to hug back. 'I guess I shouldn't have been angry at him...' sighing, he pats his back and assured him. "Im okay."

Feeling a bit shy that he was being hug like this. Muzan cleared his throat and change the topic. "You are heavy,get off."
"R-right!" Pulling away, Muzan remained stoic face as he said to him, "You are my priest not my nurse. What are you doing?"
Sumiko wipes his tears and gave him an obvious look. "Um massaging you...?" Muzan gave him a puzzled look.

"That is for a servant. You are not a servant but a priest. You duty is to pray for me. Thats all you are..."

Sumiko frowns and he grips to the wet towel he has been holding for a while,it soak his hakama pants. "But...I do not want that." Muzan is weird out. "What do you mean?" Sumiko bit his lips before he stared at the lying prince.

"For a year we had been..." a little scared he mumbles.

"I want to be friends."Muzan sarcastically repeated. "Friends?"
Sumiko knows this is too much to ask, just because Muzan has let him be close...does not mean he can be selfish.
Yet, 'I want him to be happy. My prayer is there, but I has to work by my hands as well...as his priest!' Feeling confident inside but ending up stuttering.

"I-I know we shouldn't be friends...b-but...as your priest, please heed my advice." It sounded serious, also Sumiko looks serious. Muzan is not getting the point though. "What could it be?" Sumiko replied with such honesty as he sits properly with his knees and hands resting to them along with the wet forgotten towel.

"I notice you did not have any friends...why is that?" However Muzan narrowed his eyes. "Should I...?" It was a question not a rejection of thought. Sumiko cant believe it.
"D-dont tell me you do not know how to make friends?!" Muzan continued to ponder out loud. Everything does not make sense to him why it was a big deal to Sumiko. "I don't get it. Is friends necessary?"

Sumiko gave him a stupid look. "You are not shoving people just people of your illness right?" Muzan rolls his eyes.
"Of course not. But I do not see the need to have friends. I just need servants to take care of me." Sumiko grabs his shoulders and shakes them, Muzan's eyes gawk at how Sumiko forgot that he was still sick at the moment.

"That thinking is wrong! You need friends!" Slowly he stopped shaking and had those sad eyes.

"Especially...your health is..."

Muzan remove his hands from his shoulders and properly sat. "You fret over something that has already been there since my birth. Besides if I make friends...what benefit will I gain...?"
Doing a triumphant fist, Sumiko boasted.

"You will gain the power of friendship!"
"Stupidity." Immediately Muzan interjects.

"Im serious! If you feel alone...if you have friends...you will never feel alone! You will gain power and courage to break through! That is the power of friendship!" Muzan looks blankly at his bed sheets. 'Frankly such thing never cross my thoughts...' Muzan is troubled. "Are you saying having friends can make my life longer? Is that it? What do you call it again...happiness?"

Sumiko nods. "Yes."

Muzan is a bit hesitant but...he wanted to be closer and heed his advice. He sounded polite. "Then, will you be my friend Priest Sumiko?"

'He agreed...?' Sumiko didn't actually expect Muzan to accept it that easily, slowly he gave him a tender smile. Somehow he was really cute.

"I will be glad to be your bestfriend!"

Muzan smiles back. "I see." Before he reverted back to being cold. Noticing the odd behavior, Sumiko pester him.

"...Is something wrong? Do you feel unwell again?" Instead Muzan asks him back ignoring his worries for him. "How did I got here? What happen again...?" Visible confusion, Sumiko gently told him with a sincere apology. "Oh that, you collapsed during the ritual Muzan-sama, I'm sorry I did not notice you weren't feeling well. I carried you all the way back here. You never woke up. You had a bad fever and coughing a lot."

Muzan is shock. He couldn't believe such dramatic event had happen while he fell to the darkness at that snowy day. "That small body of yours you were able to carry a tall man like me?" He cannot believe the story, but Sumiko shows his biceps and firmly stated with a happy grin. "Of course! If there is a will there thy strength!"

'Sumiko...' feeling touched, Muzan finally has a warm smile in his lips. He thanked him with formality.

"I see. You have my thanks Priest Tanjirou Sumiko. Thank you for saving my life."
Sumiko giggles, "So are we friends now?"
Muzan chuckles back. "Sure, accept my generous 'yes'." Sumiko claps his hands to cheer himself from the success of making the grumpy and introvert prince to agree his idea to make this life spend wisely.

"I'm honored Muzan-sama!"

'I thought we can be friends...but it did not remained that way. I never see Sumiko as my friend at all. He was something I want to...own myself. No matter how bad it will be...I want to make him mine. I do not even know what was this called...'

Summer is about to come. Today the weather is clear, Muzan for some reason is fine. He is able to walk now.

Currently Muzan is wearing a black kimono with a black haori. While Sumiko is wearing his red and black checkered kimono without his plain green haori.

In the garden. "Alright!" Sumiko beamed. Muzan covers his ears simply irritated at his loud voice. "Don't shout idiot." Ignoring the irate prince, Sumiko starts to interview him. "Muzan-sama! How are you feeling today? Was my massage power effective?"

Getting ask, Muzan looks at his own features. "Hmm..come to think of it my bones doesn't hurt as they used too. Your therapy works I guess." He shrugs. For Sumiko it was a good news, he beams again. "Great!"

Muzan arch his eyebrows, something smells fishy..."What?"
Sumiko laughs then he grins. "You see...hehe! As a friend! I want you to come with me and see my family! I will carry you by all means!"

Blushing at such proposal, "Y-you do not have to carry me fool!" Sumiko is being a tease, he pats his shoulders feeling too close to do that. "Don't be embarrass! You maybe taller, but am stronger!"

Muzan backs away and slap his hands. "And you think I will come with you?" With a glare, Sumiko sniffs the air and twirls around. He cheerfully told him his plans. "I will make a box, make you sat on it, as we carry on the journey~!"

Scared. "Huh?!" Sumiko was being a creep again. He steps closer to Muzan's private zone, Muzan is fearful of his positivist.

'What is this idiot planning?!'

Sumiko doesn't care though,he wanted to tell him what he feels for him. Muzan is very guard of his heart.

"You dont need a box! I can walk on my own just fine!"

Sumiko tilts his head as if he was hurt and wondering what was wrong on his proposal solution.

"You do not want me to carry you?" He was serious!

Muzan slaps his own forehead, it was a headache.

"Stupid priest...!"

'Laughter...only Sumiko's laughter and stupidity...it muses me, it never ends there. It thought it would last the way it is before everything ends in my thread. However a third knot made it's way to create a ball of yarn.'

"Priest Rengoku Toujiro. Sumiko is going to visit today his family." says by a tall young man of a muscular stature and pale complexion, who is almost always seen wearing an unimpressed or emotionless expression.

He has unruly black hair of uneven lengths that sticks up in tufts around his head, which he wears tied back in a low messy ponytail at the base of his neck. His bangs fall over his eyes in an uneven fringe.

His eyes are sharp and reasonably thin, their irises a deep sapphire that fades to a lighter blue and their pupils a bluish-black, and are framed by thin eyebrows.

Wearing a dark blue traditional kimono robe, with ocean wave designs imprinted on the right thighs. He steps inside the room. Someone is sitting at the floor, the person seems to be meditating as he was facing an altar.

Incense were there.

"Hm~hm~really?" The othe man hummed, he who possessing unruly orange hair that flares out around his face, becoming redder near the ends above his ears, that he wears messily tied back behind his head. He has fair skin, bushy black eyebrows and angry, orange eyes that redden near the pupils, that are slanted inwards and shaped so as to give him a furious appearance.

He wears a traditional orange kimono robe with an eagle art printed to his left chest. The priest of flame turns his head to see Priest Tomioka Guren.

"Priest Tomioka Guren! Thank you for that news..! I cant wait to spend time again with Sumiko my boy~!"

The clouds starts to darken.

Chapter Text

There was a diary in Muzan's memories.
A pen in his heart.
A vast regret that the fire has burned.
Muzan continue to fear.

'They say summer would come. But for some reason the clouds multiply until it was considered as cloudy. Because it is cloudly, it is safe for me to be expose outside...meaning I can go anywhere I want before summer burns me to a heat stroke.'

Kibutsuji Muzan is the prince of japan during this Heian period. Yes, he was the one and only son of the King and Queen of japan. His family had a religious belief towards the god of Sun and Moon. However his parents made a mistake during the time he was not yet born to this world.

His parents, the so called King and Queen that should have been dedicated to their religion like their forefathers, these decendants had ignored the tradition and the festive rituals. Other rich families believe they were punish by the heavens for being too confident...that no matter what, a heir will be born to their bloodline and become a king someday.

You guess it right, the Kibutsuji Clan was not a nice bloodline. They who is always thristy to conquer all,to have everyone kneel to them like the gods themselves. However, when Muzan was born they realize the mistake. As said by mistake, Muzan was very ill. Every time he gets older, he goes deeper through his unknown illness.

Hence, nobody even know what kind of illness it is. All they know is that every year Muzan's heartbeat would stop. Then after praying to revive him, he will suddenly go back to life.

They were being force to pray to the gods just to keep the heir. Also, since the queen is unable to bare another child that is also considered as the heavens will.

To make them submit themselves to worship the god of sun and moon.
Which is why they started to assign priests to pray over their family.
Those priests are their life saver everytime that their son will be having 50-50 session of following the light.

In terms of mysterious illness, the original eye color of Muzan were amethyst however it was fading into pale ones...sometimes they wonder if Muzan can see well.
Muzan admit there are times he had better vision at morning rather than the night time.

Their castle had two temples that had been there even before his birth.
The shrine of the sun god is placed beside the main castle near Muzan's head quarters (where Sumiko had always prayed every night.) Then the shrine of the moon god inside the main castle which also near Muzan's head quarters. (Somewhere around the hallway.)
They said the sun god loves the outdoors and the moon god loves the indoor.

But there are restriction. Anyone can visit the shrine of the sun, that is where priests of Muzan prays for him every now and then. Meanwhile the shrine of moon god is a very tall ancient door that nobody had actually seen what was inside except the older priest from pasts generation.

There was a saying to this...it was...

'You should not open the door, beyond lies the hell flower to the after life.

Where the moon god continue to grief his immortality. Waiting for it to

bloom a bright red. The Blue Spider lily exist to curse someone to live

forever is worst than death. He only accepts the light of sun that

illuminates him to rejoice life.'

The tale said, even it was not proven...not a single soul nor priest ever attempted to open it.

Not even the curious ones...

"Father and Mother, I wish to visit the place of priests." His mother and father gasps when he ask such freedom. "Y-you mean you will go to Kumotori Mountains?!"

Muzan nods. He knows why they are worried, of course he is sick. Such travel will put weight on his frail body. "I want to be closer to the gods." He lied, his goal was to just get closer to the priest of fire and to know more about Hii No Kami Kagura dance. "If I do I might live long who knows...?" His parents were silent. "Worry not, Priest Tanjirou Sumiko will be with me for one week. After serving the gods I will return home. Have faith in me."

His mother and father knowingly look at eachother. They fear the gods after their beloved son was curse to die every single year. There was no cure, even though Muzan had so much talent to be a king they just knew he wont live long. Until now they worry who will replace their seats if the heir dies.

So they spoil him, thinking as well the advantage if their son will be devoted to the heavens then yeah...maybe he will outlive this whole illness thing.

"Alright. We will prepare the KAGO (palanquin box) for your travel. Becareful out there Muzan." His father says. Muzan smiled and politely bow his head a bit. "Thank you father. You and Mother take care as well~"

With that, Sumiko and Muzan went to travel to Kumotori Mountains.

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"Give way! Give way! The prince is on his way to travel the place of priests! Move away!"
The drum boomed in everyone's ear. A golden box that they called palanquin that looks like a small shrine, 12 men carrying one single important person.

Outside the 12 carrying men, the priest walks in their phase. Sumiko had a buddist staff that he used to reach the curtains of the beautiful box.

"Umm..excuse my rudeness." Sumiko peeked inside the royal box where Muzan is inside wearing a elegent white kimono and black haori. The art drawn within his clothes were the notable red dragon seems to be coiling in him. As for Priest Sumiko he is wearing his priest outfit, the one that has a red bandana to hide his huge forehead. Gently he bothered the silent prince whose just sitting stiff.

"Muzan-sama are you okay?" Checking to see his condition, Muzan look sick and it looks like he was complaining inside but tried his best to play it cool...since he wanted to reach the hometown of his priest badly. "The travel is quite rocky road. Where are we by now...?"

Sumiko giggles,he can tell Muzan is road sick right now. So he wanted to assure him this torture will be over soon.

"Were almost there mylord!"

"Kyahahah~!"
"Catch it!"
"Hey you threw the Temari too far...!"

Muzan is not expecting the so called place of priests the Kumotori Mountains had too many happy commoner. He imagine the place to be silent, since priests should be meditating right...?

The place had mostly children rather than teenagers. In short it was noisy despite the countable people who lives in these mountains. Catching the temari, Sumiko pulled the kids attention. "Hey! Im home!"

Childishly waving. The three playful kids stop and gawk at the sight of seeing their big brother finally come home. "Sumiko Oniichan!"

A sight of happy family, Muzan was just silent carrying his japanese umbrella to avoid the sun. "You came home! I pray to Kami-sama to make you go home!" Seems to be the youngest says. Muzan just observe upon seeing three more people approached Sumiko with love in their eyes.

Ruffling everyone's hair, Sumiko turned his back with a huge smile as he happily introduce them.

"Muzan-sama, I would like to introduce you to my family! This is Sumiyoshi, Zenko,Mako...Kiyoshi, Teruko and Shoichi my younger siblings~!" Muzan deadpans. "You all look alike." He was still feeling tired to be exact. Sumiko ignored it and still happily sharing him his thoughts. "That is why we are called siblings~!"

Muzan kept himself hidden beneath the umbrella he had for one person. Earlier he dismissed the 12 servants to stop following him,let alone Sumiko serve him. He did this so that nobody will report that he was not particularly here to serve gods. To shut their mouths he ordered them to have fun beneath the mountains and just come back after 5 days.

They were obedient of course. The prince order is absolute. Muzan thanking those idiots to be servant at birth. Anyhow...

"I see...so thats how it is if you have siblings."

Then Sumiko grab his hands. "Woah!"

He pulled him closer to his home. "Lets eat!"

Pointing at the small and simple japanese home.

Muzan smiled with agreement.

"Ok."

Muzan was introduced to Sumiko's parents. The mother of Sumiko had black hair and his father had strong resemblance to his...red long haired. Nobody in the family had the hanafuda earrings except Sumiko himself.

'So he was not lying.'

Muzan had eat with them during dinner. They were polite people but did not feel formal. Muzan noted as well in his mind that here, Sumiko had a cheerful and loving family no wonder he was full of brightness.

'Compare to mine, even though my parents loves me...I honestly couldnt feel the same.'

Muzan guessed why is that.

'Perhaps not only my body is dying. My soul might be dying as well...'

Muzan recalled during his childhood he was hopeful, but everytime he dies and outlive such age of deaths. He had became detach,not only by his skin, his heart too.
But Sumiko came to his life. Sumiko is bringing back those desire to live.
To be something and not somebody else.

...When dinner was done an hour ago.

Going outside, it was actually lights off. But Muzan insisted to see the billion stars that appear to Kumotori mountains.

Thankfully it exist! Muzan and Sumiko had smile on their faces as they star gaze. "Amazing isnt?!" Muzan nods in agreement.

That night, Muzan was full and had a nice nap...

...
The next morning...

Sumiko had changed his clothes to a black kimono with red fire designs. Muzan is surprise to see Sumiko wearing something dark. He assumed themselves as ying and yang in terms of the color of their kimono as well the red art printed onto their clothes.

They match. 'He looks sexy on it.' Mentally slapping himself.

'Wait...I'm more good looking than him, what am saying?'

Ignoring his strange enchantment to the shorter guy. Muzan scanned his surroundings, the place had a different atmosphere of silence. There were surprisingly less people but it does not feel lonely.

After all, the only house that had been in the higher part of Kumotori were Sumiko's family.

A tranquil morning it is...because it is peaceful, Sumiko decided to ask Muzan to walk with him in the woods to explore the beauty of this place.

Muzan learned a lot from Sumiko, like charcoal education,how there is actually two types of fireflies and beetles and different names of leaves and trees. Muzan only known them by books but not the actual species. Though he had more questions in his mind than the nature.
He stop walking, making Sumiko stop as well.

"Did you got tired of walking?"

The cididas cries.

Noisy...Muzan had his umbrella closed to support him in walking. The umbrella's edge stab the ground as he asks."Why did you choose to be a Priest?" Wondering why he was questioned, Sumiko scratch his cheeks. "Eh? Uhh for my family I guess..." because he himself doesnt really think much of his job. "What do you mean?" Muzan pestered. Sumiko then explained.

"I was invited to join by Priest Rengoku and High Priest Ubuyashiki." Simply as that. Muzan eyes flickered. He knows those name...'The Clan of flame priests and the powerful devoters of the sun and moon gods. Kibutsuji's relative, the Ubuyashiki Clan.'

"The Rengoku Clan had been my personal priests for years. So I was surprise you were assigned to me. I never really heard the Tanjirou Clan existed if not meeting you." He said. Sumiko hummed "Is that so...?" Then he shyly grinned."I guess were not famous despite we are the ones who had direct connection to the god of sun~!"

Muzan walked closer, Sumiko remained at his spot.

"So why do you keep this job?"

Blinking, Sumiko kept a calm response,

"If I offer myself to the gods...I will be bless."

There was no need to elaborate. However Muzan is a type of man who wants all the details before he understands.

"Wait...so you werent praying because you are obsess with your beliefs but for your family...?"

To his surprise Sumiko replied with a faint smile, no word was exchange after that.

'Sometimes, Sumiko was not bright. Sometime he was mellow...sometimes he doesnt shine,as if there was a hidden sadness lurks behind his lovable smiles. Sumiko Tanjirou is actually strange...as if the fire that burns now is not his actually fire...it has not exploded yet.'

The summer should have came by now,but once again it was cloudy.

'Is this some kind of calm before a storm..?' Sumiko thoughts as he looks above the strange clouds covering the sun. 'I hope nothing bad happens.'
He quietly prayed before it was interrupted by the voice of his prince.

"Family huh..."

Looking behind him, Muzan was sitting in a rock. Today they were here at the part of mountain where the water falls can be seen in sight. Between the river, Sumiko said this place is where he focus his breaths to become one with the water before flaring himself up with fire.

"Muzan-sama are you interested starting your own family perhaps~?" Asks by Sumiko as he had a spear in his hands to catch some fish. Muzan is waiting for meal and he is your usual son of a rich family sitting at the available rock with crossed legs. His umbrella is there with him but unused. "If anyone is worthy I guess." He lazily shrugs.

"Hahh!"
STABS!

"Yay! Got it!" Sumiko stabs the fish he saw as he kept the conversation alligned. "Oh so~ then what type of girl do you like Muzan-sama?" Grabbing the bloody fish,he began to sit at the ground and clean the fish. "Where did that come from?" Muzan knot an eyebrow. Sumiko is now tying the fish to a wood. "I mean...you are getting older, soon you will have to get your woman!"

His words had hit Muzan hard. His heart hitch. 'To fall in love...' Kibutsuji Muzan slowly gaze up the sky with an empty voice.

"You think I will reach that day?"

Sensing he was down to earth just now.. "Muzan-sama..." Sumiko stood up to move closer. He wanted to be there for him, especially this sense of loneliness Muzan emits were...worrying enough for his health.

Muzan continued to do a mellow drama.

"Lets see,If I will reach that day...I want someone who always smile, a bit of an idiot, hard working and obedient. Will do anything I ask for no matter how embarassing or hard it will be. I want that person to be only loyal to me." Having a sudden evil smirk in his pale lips,his eyes landed to Sumiko and said.

"Just like you...Priest Sumiko."

Blushing hard, Sumiko panics. "What?!" Disturbed. Muzan laughs,he was just teasing him.

"If only you were a girl...I guess I would have ask your hand."he sounded sarcastic but confident that Sumiko mentally slap himself for believing it for a second.

"E-eeeh?!" He whines. Muzan kept his smug.

"I was just kiddin, so silly~" his eyes spark to being mischievous that Sumiko shrinks back.

"W-what...!?" Still blushing, Muzan changed back to stoic mode. "Are you angry?" Playing innocent, Sumiko cleared his throat with fake composing self. "O-of course not...d-dont tease me like that!" Pouting. Muzan soften his look, he ask him with sincerity.

"What about you? Do you want to get married...? What type of person do you like?"

Noticing that Muzan was serious, Sumiko took a deep breath and told him some facts about his job.

"Oh...Im a priest were not permitted to be married or do engage with another human. It is immoral." His face was unreadable that Muzan had to push for more details as always.

"Huh? Arent you going to get extinct then?"

Sumiko proudly stated as he grab some drift woods. "That is why, once we reach 20, we will quit as a priest. Then we must swear the first born to be a boy to carry on the sacred tradition. If we do not retire at 20, we will die at the age of 25..." placing them in the center for a bon fire later.

"I never heard such thing, why would you guys die if you reach 25?" Sumiko crouches down and turned his head to see Muzan's puzzled face. "Hehe, I havent show you...look," he suddenly strips to show his back. Exposing...Muzan's eyes widen. Sumiko's back had strange fire patterns spreaded in different places. What on earth it was, Muzan find him more mysterious. "Birthmarks...? Or burn marks? No, a tattoo..?"

Sumiko shakes his head with a little giggle. "Nope. These fire symbols appear to our body whenever we perform Hii No Kami Kagura. It is said the fire or the sun god himself resides to vessel within us during the dance. They wont leave until we break the contract. If we do not break the contract, it will burden our body from its overwhelming power. We will die...to avoid it, we got to retire before the age of 25yrs old." Putting back his clothes. He ties a knot.

"What...I do not get it. What are you pointing for?" Muzan is a bit worried at that claim. Sumiko though remained happy go lucky vibes, but then...

Muzan had always watch over every single emotions that escapes his priest, he look solemn for some reason, but Muzan decided not to pin point that..."It means the Tanjirou Clan priests has a countable life span, even so we still continue to do it because it is the right thing...If nobody serves the heavens, the land of japan will be flooded by demons they say." Watching Sumkiko proceed to fire up the woods.

"Hmm~ true, I heard the Legend of Hell flower. The Blue Spider Lily is locked up behind the ancient door of the moon temple. That very said door is within our castle...Since I was a kid nobody dare to go near it. Not even I..." Sumiko was able to flare the drift woods and began blowing them.

"Ohhh~ so you knew about that myth!" Focusing to shield it from the wind, Muzan tap his fingers on the rock he had been sitting for a while.

"Well yeah. But not all the details. They say if you open the door it leads to the hell flower field. They say the Moon god's grief is hidden beneath the beautiful blue field of flowers...If you pluck a flower there, it is either death or eternal life will be granted by the Moon god."

The fire was completely visible now. The smoke made its way above the air. Sumiko pats his clothes to remove the dirt.

Then he went ahead and sat beside the rock Muzan is occupying.
He tell him the old tale that Muzan has not read beyond the pages.

"Yep, since you do not know all the details, let me tell you where it all started! The sun god loves the red spider lily as the moon god loved the color of blue. The moon god was always outcasted,he was only being notice whenever he borrows the light of the sun god, thus he gains his moonlights. According to the tale he wanted to have his own source of light, so he converted the red spider lilies to his color liking...to boast that even him can shine in the field of red."

Pausing, "The sun god still ignored the moon's depression. So the moon god wished himself to shine forever, abandoning his midnight field. The blue spider lily will only bloom in morning. Yet because of his intense will to have it shine forever it was turned into a curse of immortality,he lock them with him. To avoid the sun of god to be hurt that he will remain the same. Rumors says...his inner demons resides to that beautiful blue bloom."

It was a very long story that Muzan decided to end it with a quick comment.

"Sounds...tragic and selfish."

But Sumiko added more,Muzan kinda regret even starting this topic, Sumiko is too engraved to continue the tale. "There's more! The sun god was not immortal,he passes through a vessel to see the red spider lilies. But the moon god was the opposite. His soul was eternal,so anyone he get attach with him will pain him otherwise they accept immortality by consuming the blue spider lilies."

Muzan had a sad smile though,he felt some connection to the old myth. "To think that was the whole legend. So unbelivable. I guess I'm just me...waiting my last page, hoping to be reincarnated to a better vessel."

He chuckles.

Sumiko narrowed his eyes.
"Nope."
"Hm?"
With an empty smile, Sumiko declares the truth that he cannot avoid himself.
Something you called fate.

"Were same Muzan-sama, I has no idea till when I can dance. So..." hovering his palms to Muzan's pale hands. He smiled so sweetly.

"Lets spend it all the best together!"

Three days...it was fun. Muzan did not want to return back to the boring castle actually. However those happy thoughts were eventually clouded by jealousy...

'Yes...when he appeared. When they appeared. The Flame and Water dividing attention towards me. How vexing...'

"Ah! Priest Rengoku-san! Good morning!" Beaming loud voice, Sumiko bowed his head with huge respect. They are currently below the mountains strolling around commoner stores.

It happens that the priest of flame along with the priest of water were present.

They crossed paths.

"Woah! Priest Sumiko my boy!" The flame priest greets back with harmony. Behind Sumiko is a forgotten Muzan with his umbrella. "Hehe!" Seeing Sumiko got pat by the flame priest. Something twitch inside him. "There~there."

Then he notice there is the water priest silently watching him then Sumiko and the annoying sight of the flame priest. Muzan's heart twitch another nerve. He was jealous.

"Priest Rengoku...how have you been?" The good soul Sumiko asks the taller man with remaining formality. "Im good~ what about you?" Same energy the flame priest made.
"Im totally doing fine!" Sumiko had those childish laughter.

'They look so close than me and him...'

Narrowing his eyes, finally the two stop at their own world to focus to his presence. Rengoku Toujirou flips his robe to properly bow at him.

"My pleasure to meet you your highness,Kibutsuji-sama."

Without any tune of happiness,Muzan kept his narrowing eyes."Yeah."
Something is off with his sudden change of attitude. Sumiko thought inside as he watch the two taller man than his height.

'Eh? Why is Muzan-sama being rude...? When did he got upset?' Toujiro who did not notice he was not welcomed, he introduce himself to the prince along with his family connection to his.

"The Rengoku Clan has serve as your personal priests since birth. I'm Rengoku Toujiro, I was suppose to be your personal priest this time...but something came up that High Priest Ubuyashiki had assigned the Tanjirou clan's priest to serve you this time."

"Ok." Muzan says coldly.
Toujiro is dense, so he ignored such treatment, he widen his smile. "Im sure we would get along if I was your assigned priest your highness-"
"In your dreams."
Finally Muzan darken his voice.
Sumiko reacted. "Eh? Eh?"
Surprised he was being dismissed already, Toujirou had sweat drops. "Did I do something to displease you Kibutsuji-sama...?"
Muzan avert his eyes and remained heartless with his tone of voice along with such honesty escaped his throart.
"Nothing. But you are an eyesore, those eyebrows of yours looks like a googly owl. Get out of my sight."

"Ehhhhh!"

Sumiko march forward in between them to avoid a fight. "H-hold on!"
But Toujirou decided to back down as he sense Muzan is really angry at him for unknown reasons. "O-oh, My apologies. Alright then, I will take my leave..."

Turning his back, The water priest also followed him with small greetings."See you around Priest Sumiko." Removing the formality to take back their attention... "Wait! Priest Toujirou-san! Priest Guren-san!"

Looking at the prince, Sumiko scolds him. "Muzan-sama! What was that for?! Why are you being rude to him? His family serve you with loyalty for years...! Your last priest was his father during your age of 13-16 yrs old...!"

Muzan rolled his eyes and spins his umbrella. "Shut up. Am un well at the moment." Muzan walks away. 'W-what the...?' Silently Sumiko followed. He was mad at him, same time worried that maybe indeed Muzan is feeling unwell that he had mood swings.
Reaching a park, he opens again the topic.

"Whats up with you...? For real...?"

Muzan stops walking as he kept his face hidden by the umbrella.

"If you like to talk to him too much, go ahead and disappear too, spend your boring time with Priest Rengoku Toujiro or whatever you see fit~!"

He yells. Speechless, Sumiko observe him up and down and had a lucky guess.

"Muzan-sama...Are you perhaps jealous?"

"What? Me? Noway!"

The way he reacted, Sumiko confirms Muzan is jealous. He saw this kind of attitude towards his siblings whenever they want his attention. Sumiko fist his hands and insist him to admit. "But you are acting up! You are not like this...you are level headed!"
Muzan is mad, he growls at him. "Its your fault okay!?" Taken back.

"W-why me?"

Muzan revealed his angry face and spats to him. He was hurting...

"You said Im your best friend and yet you were kind to everybody! You were taking care of anyone who needs you and calls your name! You treat everyone the same kindness you display towards me and all...! I was never special to you! Sumiko you are a big liar! I dont need you!"

After that long yelling out all his frustrations with personal assumptions, Muzan pants, 'I never spoke straight without breathing a second!'. He tried to catch his breath. He had never yelled like that before. Muzan is usually using his calm voice even at the verge of getting angry...yes he rarely scream. He always wear that smooth and calm nice guy vibes but sharp tongue on point.

Royalty and Etiquette,but he lost those rational manners because of a simple jealousy he felt. In fact it is the first time he screamed like this..you know without caring how it will affect the other or get attention.

A scandalous sight.

Sumiko slaps his own forehead and pointed at him. "Oh my heavens.. you are indeed jealous!" Blushing. Muzan denies more."Huh?! What makes you say that!?" Feeling attacked, Muzan steps back...But Sumiko steps forward.

"Im the eldest, sometimes my siblings will fight over me who I think is the best little sibling of all...and you are acting like that." Still angry, Muzan grips to the umbrella holder, he was clenching his teeth to scare Sumiko away but failed miserably.

"Im not a kid! There is a limit of you being free will to speak-" Sumiko shouts.

"Rest assured Muzan-sama is my no.1!"

Muzan shouts back. "I dont believe you...! I witness it, you serve everyone...! You are not owned by anyone! Sumiko..you were for everyone and that fact is...I hate it!"

Sumiko made a heavy sighs, "Muzan-sama..just a secret between you and me. I never shared my story about being a still doll." Then he walk closer. Muzan whose avoiding eye contact did not notice him going near already. Before he knew they were so close.

"So what about it? It does not change the fact that you were kind and smiling for everyone you spend time with! You were always happy...and I was just here, you think am pitiful that is why you do such things..!" His voice hoarse,he was about to cry...

"No!" Muzan's shoulder were grab tightly, Sumiko shakes them.

"Listen here Muzan-sama...!" Then he hugs him tight too. He embrace him fully to make him feel he was not just anybody to him, making Muzan look down to see his head. Sumiko gaze up and had a sorrowful look that matches his voice.

"...you are my special person. Trust me...nobody knows my secret, nobody but you knew that am heartless...without these hanafuda earrings...I may awaken a monster that lurks inside me."

Getting convince. "Sumiko..." Muzan had teary eyes, thankfully they did not fall. Sumiko pats his hair to calm him further.

"Shh...you see, I didnt told you the truth just because you ask, it is just somehow...I believe you will relate at. Thats why I wanted to be friends. I wanted to be closer than my prince and as your priest."his throat hinted fear. "...Really?" Sumiko mused at Muzan's distrust, he assured him by using his big brother image. "Yes."

Muzan stared to his pupils, despite the fact that he was taller than Sumiko, right now it feels like he was the little person here.

"Promise?"
Sumiko cups the both side of his cheeks.
"I oaths to you."

Finally accepting the apology from the other, Muzan wipes his teary eyes while his other hand kept a good hold of the open umbrella.

"Okay...you are owned by me. Nobody else is your friends. Just me okay?"

Sumiko is pleased to hear that.

"Alright~!"

Three more days before they return back to the castle. What else can happen?

'After that arguement...Sumiko started to behave strangely. He was showing a side of him that I had no idea existed. The sun burns brightly to share his flare to my monochrome moon. Something between us deeply develope's.'

Chapter Text

Here is a saying...A wolf hiding in a sheep cloth. Then the wolf is also wounded like a sheep. Tanjirou Sumiko is not any of those. He was abnormal.

Three more days, just three more days they has to return back to the castle.

'My name is Tanjirou Sumiko. I was 13 yrs old when I started to inherit the Hii No Kami Kagura dance from my retired Father. Yes, at such young age I became a priest after 2years of training with the famous glorious priests, the Rengoku Clan. My mentor was Rengoku Toujiro and with my senior Priest Tomioka Guren. When I turned 16, I was given my first assignment and it is to be the personal priest by the prince of death they say...it was him, Kibutsuji Muzan-sama. He was very mysterious, and that mysterious illness killing him slowly...am tempted to vanquish. If only such ability exist in my hands. I would like to test them out...and see him smile from the bottom of his dead heart.'

Sumiko just woke up.

"Hrmm..." rubbing his eyes,It is dawn and Muzan is nowhere inside the house.

"Eh? Where did he go...?" Leaving his futon and immediately fix himself.

His family is taking their own time separately. Like his younger siblings went to study below the mountains. His mother and father just chilling outside. Sumiko look at the kitchen, the toilet, the living room, the backyard and front yard. Muzan is not anywhere. "Don't tell me he went to the woods?"

Wearing his green and black checkered kimono...

He already ask his mother and father if they saw Muzan, they say they did not see him and assumed maybe he is indeed in the woods. With that idea, Sumiko begin his search. Calling out his name multiple times.

"Oiii~! Muzan-sama! Are you around here~? Response to me if you are~!"

A couple of minutes later, he reach the end of the forest side to the part of wet rocks.

"Muzan-sama~! where are you-"

In the middle of the small river, on a small water falls. 'Ah! There he is...!' Kibutsuji Muzan is bathing himself. He was naked up till toe.

Sumiko froze by spotting Muzan gently stroking his own long curlyhair to make them more fluffy. They were all soak in the water.
'I know it is rude to stare at someone elses body even if they are the same gender...but...but I can't help it.'

Taking a closer look.

'I have seen him almost naked many times when he collapse during the New Year's eve. After when his servants leave, I will be by his side to massage him and hoped he will wake up from it. But still this is a new sight to me...him out here so bare with the nature.'

Sumiko gulps down as he watch the beautiful pale prince taking a dip to the small river. Worry not, It is safe to take a morning bath there. What Sumiko does not understand is why Muzan did this to himself when he could have ask Sumiko to prepare a bathtub for him at home. Sumiko's house is a little bit big than average due to the funds donated to their shrine. These funds are being delivered to them by the Rengoku Clan.

Yet Muzan once again prideful, or maybe he wanted to try out the feeling how to bath outside. The feeling of someone might see you diving to your own relaxing world. Sumiko keep watch of Muzan's nakedness as he waited for him to finish.

((Badump...))

Something throb in Sumiko's heart. He went ahead and clutch them.

((Babadump...!))

'N-not this again...' with crystal eyes that bares some confusion to tell, Sumiko eyed Kibutsuji Muzan's curly and wet black long hair once more, this time intently...gazing down his delicate shoulders, chest, hips. A pale body that actually look thin and obviously sick. Faded amethyst eyes that who knows how blurry they were. Frail lips that is always either dry or so reddish. Reddish because of medicine dose.

Sniffing the morning dew, he smells him instead. The master's scent, Muzan smells like medicine...sometimes a fresh soap or the scent of warm cloth.

Regardless, Sumiko likes them all.

Sumiko is challenge by the sight. 'Muzan-sama sure is...a very attractive handsome man if he was not ill...' those were his first thoughts.

Sumiko remember praising Muzan's appearance during their first encounter. It may not look like it, but Sumiko can tell Muzan has a high pride but the self esteem of his was kinda low. Sumiko wanted to let him know that nobody is perfect. But every time they talk, Muzan had a strong wanting to be perfect, Muzan wanted to be useful to his parents and prove them that he was intelligent and not just a burden that strives to live a meaningless struggle. By the looks of it, Muzan is indeed talented, beautiful and smart. Just remove all pain in his weak body.

If only he is cured.

Surely Muzan would be a great king.

'Sometimes I fear...If Muzan-sama get healed, will he be still nice...?' Will he be able to stand so close beside him? Somehow, Sumiko sense some darkness...he always pray for Muzan to be happy because thats the best wish he can offer. But then somehow...there is something on the back of his mind whose fear that if this person has no illness and had a very bossy attitude. He might become a demonic king instead.

'I really wanted to do something good but...'

His deep thoughts were cut when he heard a threatening voice, Muzan spoke. "Whose there?"

Startled gasp. 'Oh right! Eavesdropping is bad! My goodness!'

"Um..!" Sumiko was not hiding or anything, but the fog had passed by. Sumiko didn't want to scare Muzan so he raised his hands and calls out. "Its me Sumiko! Muzan-sama!" Muzan did not hid his naked body at all when he is able to clarify that the strange presence he felt while bathing was coming from the priest.

Hearing the worried Sumiko. "Muzan-sama...! Taking a bath outside around this hour is dangerous! You might get sick!"
Muzan snorts, "Leave me alone! Its so hot that I can't bare it! I need to dip here!"

Maybe you wondering why they are screaming to each other, it is because the fog had become thick.

"You could have ask me! You should have woke me up!" Muzan rolled his eyes and pick up his white robe kimono. "Fine! I'll get out of the water!" Carefully Sumiko made his way to approach Muzan.

'The fog so thick all of the sudden...'

"U-um Muzan-sama? Are you still here? Please response-"

His hand touch a wall. "Ah?" It was Muzan's chest,he was already dressed up in his white robe.
Sumiko couldn't move when he looks above, Muzan was attractive as hell.

"Yes?"

((Badump,badump.))

His thoughts were chained up.

'Why does Muzan-sama looks adorable in my eyes...? Why does my heart race whenever I'm so close to him? The truth is, I was been lying at him. I'm glad he did not notice. Because lately...when I bath him,I was staring intently at his body parts. I was travelling my fingers indifferently...I was hoping to hear him make a sound If I touch him. But Muzan-sama sense of feeling and touch is dying due to his illness. Am perhaps attracted to him...?' But then again, Sumiko had a late reaction. He did not mean to push him. Sumiko squeaks. "Waah!"

"Sumiko-"

It was too late! He had literally push him the moment his hand had touch the taller man's chest. "Hey!"

Muzan falls to the small river he bath with not long ago followed by Sumiko. "No! Muzan-sama watch out!"

SPLASH!

Drip,drop, drip...

Both soak in water. Muzan is on the bottom and Sumiko his priest was on his top.

They almost lost their breaths from the sudden fall. Sumiko was star stuck at the sight below him. Muzan was wet as hell,more than earlier. You can see his chest on the wet fabric and his thighs expose. Muzan was in a mess.

Gulps.

"Y-you okay...? Did you hurt your back...?" The small river that almost look like a pond was not deep, both of them are in almost sitting position, not if Sumiko hovering above him like a protective shield.

"I-Im okay...how about you...?"

Sumiko was enchanted. 'Really what is wrong with me? What is this...?'

Somehow he was attracted to this unsightly look of Muzan, soak in water with a messy wet clothes. His curly long hair went flat. Sumiko narrowed his eyes as he mesmerize. 'He looks so...cute...'

"Muzan-sama..." he called softly, "Look at you.." his right hand slowly went to cups Muzan's cold cheeks. Muzan's eyes traveled to see the hands that lock to his right cheeks dripping some droplet of water.

Strange.

Sumiko's eyes were glimmering with passion. "You are so soak..." because of his weird gesture to him, Muzan's heart started to beat abnormally. 'W-what is he doing..?!' Sumiko leaned closer to his face and caresses him. "Poor you...let me heat you up..." moving his face forward.

Muzan went stone stiff. 'Is he going to-'
Sumiko's lips went apart and he gasp.

'Huh what am...?' He was almost tempted to kiss the beautiful prince. '...stop!' His inner consciousness screamed to stop his decision to harass the weak prince.

'Hold it!' Sumiko eyes gasps, realizing the horrible thoughts even cross his mind and made his body move on its own. "I-I'm sorry!" He pulls away. "Eh...?" Muzan's heart still thumping so loud in his ears. He was speechless that his priest would actually attempt to kiss him. Thankfully their lips did not met. Sumiko stood up, feeling so ashamed of his indecent touch, he bowed.

"Forgive me Muzan-sama! I wasn't doing anything!" Visible blush in Muzan's cheeks,he breathed on his nose. Small huffs.

Muzan admits he was afraid of being attacked like that without his permission! "Just help me up." Deciding to ignore the strange behavior his priest have shown. "Ah! R-right! Careful...!" Accepting the hands of help, Sumiko pulls Muzan up. Awkward as hell.

"Su...miko..."

Muzan stared at him, Sumiko is avoiding his face to be seen. Not that he can hide it due to his wide forehead. Clear as day even if there is fog, Muzan sees the embarrassment and shame Sumiko has.

'Probably scolding himself mentally~'

Clearing his thoughts, "E-ehm," slowly glancing a little at Muzan.

Muzan had visible small red cheeks but pretended to be calm.

"I don't mind it okay? Just...just be yourself." He says.

But Sumiko inner mind sulks. 'No...I was...' Sumiko is eaten by his guilt. 'I'm a terrible person..taking advantage of his weak state...to think of kissing him half way his fall. Instead of thinking getting soak like that will make him sick! I was enjoying his drench sight...I was..attracted to do something dirty!'

After that, Sumiko's mind was floating. Then again Muzan pretended that never even happens at all.

'I never had felt such emotion residing inside me besides loving my family. Besides respecting my mentor and seniors.
A weird sense of importance and wanting is burning in my chest whenever that man is close and weak. I want to take all of his. Even his pain and sorrow...his richer, for good.'

Another day has passed. Sumiko's mind still occupied of the strange event yesterday. Sitting at the flood with heavy sighing, someone poke his back and he screamed.

"AH!?"

Getting scold. "Stop shouting like I'm a ghost or something!" It was Muzan behind him. Pretending to smile, "O-oh just you Muzan-sama!" That turned to a cracked up smile. "W-what can I serve you for?" Raising an eyebrow at Sumiko's unusual speech pattern, Muzan shakes his head and shove him a paper with a proud grin.

"By the way...I made a poem." He said, Sumiko on the other hand is surprised. "Eh? Why?" Muzan looks away still having the paper in front of Sumiko's face.
"Sumiko, you told me before I should try writing poem." Feeling embarrass, Muzan slaps the paper in Sumiko's face while blushing.

SMACK!

"B-Be grateful I heed your advice, now go ahead and read it before I throw it to trash!" Trying to stop Muzan on rubbing the paper on his face. "E-ehhh! Hold up! Don't be like that!" Snatching the paper, "H-here I will read it now...!"

Taking a deep breath, he read it out loud.

Poem:

A unknown color totter my bare skin
A big grief of inhale refuses to look at the rising sun.
Fear or not to fear, who is the flower in bloom?

Who is shed in red?

You that speaks the breath of strength.
I woe not the future for tomorrow.
The precious sunshine that illuminates all.

My starlight and my advisor.

Woe me no more.

Even in the subtle midnight.
I yearn to ponder forever and ever.

When he finished,he was admiring it.

"Woah...that was deep."

A praise in Muzan's ears, he was feeling too proud now. A bit reserve, but he need to hear more of the other opinion badly at his very first poem.

"So what do you think it means.~?" Crossing his arms. Sumiko realize he needed to critic the prince or else it will feel bias.

So he decided to be just honest that he has no right to judge the royal prince work. "I-I'm not onto poetry. I say you are poetic Muzan-sama...as expected of royalty, they had the inborn elegance of writing." Muzan frowns and pouts. Tapping his fingers while arms are still crossed. He glared down at him.

"That is not my question. I want you to answer if you get it?" Scratching the back of his head without any eye contact. Sumiko knows he had to say something or it will completely ruin Muzan's good mood. "Uhh...Well...you sound in love here." Peeking at the taller man. "Are you in love to someone Muzan-sama?"

Quickly Muzan replied with an innocent face. "Is it love...?" Hardly believing. Sumiko stood up and reacted too much.

"What? Don't tell me you wrote this without any feelings?!" Not really bothered on Sumiko's over react, Muzan rolled his eyes and said the obvious. "Excuse me, anyone can write poems if they use their heads." Sighing, Sumiko did remember Muzan doesn't give a damn to commoners.

"T-that only applies to those well educated Muzan-sama..."

Muzan's eyes sparks. "Really? You mean you can't write a proper poem because your studies were for commoners?" It was a cleae insult but there was an obvious tease and full honesty on that comment. Sumiko backs away with his hand clutching his heart. "Ouch, do not be so honest mylord!" Feeling so low.

Muzan suddenly took his arms.

"Then try it with me, let me read and judge you." then pulled him towards the available desk.

"Here.." forced to sit, Muzan grabs a paper and brush.

"Let me borrow your hands..." getting his right hand captured with bigger hands. "H-huh...?" Muzan is helping him brush some words at the blank paper on desk.

"Like this~"

BA-DUMP...)))

However...Sumiko is heating up,he was staring at Muzan's faded irises. He looked really intelligent from his side view.

'His fingers...are on mine...s-so ticklish.' Sumiko's eyes rapidly scanning Muzan's face,his hand to his, his speaking lips, his curly locks. He wanted to seized those.

'I feel hot all of the sudden...? B-but why...' Muzan had been moving his mouth, there were words but Sumiko is a sheep in a wolf clothing, he does not hear a single thing at all. Stopping to move Sumiko's hand, Muzan glance at him as he notice his temperature had change.

"You okay?" Pulling out of his thoughts.

"What?" Muzan sounds concern but his face were unreadable.

"Are you having a fever?" Confused. Sumiko asks himself out loud. "I do?" Muzan shakes his head.

"Sumiko, so you were not listening to me after my explanation how to write a poem?" Narrowing his eyes. "You got to be kidding me...you need to be punish." Sensing danger, Sumiko scrabbles at his seat.

"P-punish again?!"

Muzan had an evil smirk, he made his index finger massage his own bitter lips to pinpoint his evil plans.

"Come to think of it...I forgot to punish you during our boring hobbies talk~ I wonder how and what punishment fits you hmm~?" Widening into an evil smile.
Sumiko raise his hands for time froze. He pleaded. "D-don't be sadistic to me Muzan-sama...Y-you are scaring m-me-"

Knock, knock

Only for a knock to interrupt their own world.
Annoyed, Muzan said so coldly.

"Whose there?"

The door was not closed, there is no need to slide them.

The priest of flame has arrive. With a very friendly voice he says,
"It is high Priest Rengoku Toujirou Kibutsuji-sama." With a formal short bow. Muzan immediately shot him a look to get lost.

"What do you want? Were busy."

Toujiro already knew he was hated, so he decided to show him his authority as well. He remained at his door spot as he told the spoil prince.

"My apologies...however," Eyeing Sumiko real quick before he face Muzan. "I need to have a personal time with Priest of Fire your highness. Since you are within our residence, I hope you respect how important for us priests to have a meeting." His voice sounds professional that Muzan twitches. 'This person...'

Muzan wants to believe to Sumiko's promise to only look at him. Muzan wanted to be level headed so he sighs and finally act like an adult.

"Very well. Go now Sumiko." Though there was a small threat on Sumiko's wrist when he was pulled. Muzan whispered, "...Promise me you will come back immediately ones the meeting is over. We still have to study." Sumiko who already understood that Muzan was trying his best to respect the situation,he assured him but his smile failed.

"Y-your wish is my command Muzan-sama."

Outside, Toujiro and Sumiko hide themselves at the backyard.
Toujiro stared at the quiet boy. He was looking shy even though there shouldnt be such thing to be demure at this meeting session. They usually do this to make sure that their mental state is in focus.

Being a priest looks easy, but it isn't.
A priest should never be shrouded by dark thoughts. They has to clean their souls. Their mind may continue to sin but at very least...they must not allow it to take over completely.

Toujiro was his mentor when he joined this field. Toujiro was Sumiko's model and inspiration to keep going.
But this time, something is off. So he thought to pry a little bit, just like he was doing to him when they were both younger.

Toujiro is currently 21 years old. Soon he will also retire from his duty, he wanted Sumiko to have the best time of his life before he eventually must abandon those.

So he started.

"You are awfully close to the prince. Sumiko my boy, you shouldn't forget the boundary of being a priest and a friend."
It sound like he was scolding him, Sumiko simply fidget his fingers and he looks above the taller figure.

"How did you know?" For a second, Toujiro was taken back but he never showed it in his body language. He instead placed a smile to show him he was not angry or anything...he was just concerned.

"I always watch over you Sumiko my boy. So I know you are not a priest anymore...you are Kibutsuji-sama's friend right?" Toujiro was good at hiding his presence. To be exact,he and Priest Guren had been stalking Muzan and Sumiko ever since they have arrived.

They stop stalking them halfway when they notice that the two needed some privacy. So Toujiro is really surprise that they will bump to them at the lower part of mountains where the two happily strolling the commoner store. Guren said that they shouldn't introduce themselves yet not until...the right time.

However Toujiro is friendly and curious how Sumiko was transformed by the prince. Only to meet a displease face from the prince. 'Sumiko is not himself.'

Sumiko pulled him back to the conversation when he finally confessed his worries. "I-Im sorry. I was truthfully scared of my duty...I mean I was 16 yrs old and such huge responsibility was given to me so sudden. I was insecure of my prayer if they work."

Observing his boy, he pats his shoulders with confidence.

"If its you Sumiko my boy, I'm sure they are effective!" Though he wanted to dig out some information. 'Sumiko is acting strange...'

Toujiro had a hunch it has something to do with Sumiko's duty. A wild guess, "..So what did you pray for the prince?" Sumiko paused and shook his head.

"To be happy." He faintly says. "Oh..." thinking to interrogate him but not the obvious way...he ask him gently. "Are you happy at your job?" To his surprise Sumiko retorts immediately and sounds annoyed. "O-of course am!" Sumiko cock his head and grip his nails to his hakama pants.

Noticing the boy needed comfort, he made a proposal. "We can switch place. In the first place that was my assignment...but my father went ill that I needed to be by his side. Same time High Priest Ubuyashiki was curious of the Tanjirou Clan's youngest priest. I guess this is fated to be yours..."

Sumiko on the other hand was feeling unfair of the situation. He apologized to him with deepest sincerity. But still he wanted to take responsibility of what he had already started.

"I really apologize for taking this from you Priest Rengoku-" Toujiro cuts him off with a small frown.

"How many times do I have to tell you? Call me by my name...especially just the two of us." Before they became soft, Toujiro is emitting an older brother vibes.

Sumiko used to call him Aniki back then, but things changes whenever you grew...so..he smiled a little and called him by his first name.

"O-ok...Priest T-Toujiro-san." Toujiro Beam his head, music in his ears he forgives him.

"That's better~!"

.

.

.

.

.

Not long ago the googly eye priest took his precious time with Sumiko. Another knock came at the room.

Knock,knock.

Guessing it was not Sumiko for he doesn't knock without saying his name to him. "I'm entering your highness." Someone's stern voice.

The door slide open. "And you are...?" Muzan cock his head to find...

"Kibutsuji-sama. Am Priest of the Water Tomioka Guren. I need to have a counseling with you." Eyeing him up and down with raising one eyebrow. Muzan was rude. "Excuse me? I did not ask for this." But Guren was bold and replied to him without shyness.

"Your parents did." He pulled out a scroll from his sleeves and unfolds them. Shoving them in his face to see the letters written. Muzan narrowed his eyes as he silently read the statement on it. Guren simplified the message. "This is their letter proving am assigned to counsel you while you are here at Kumotori Mountains."

Muzan mentally curse. 'Stupid parents...'

Guren who doesn't give a damn how obviously he was against of it, he walk towards him and took a sit at the floor with the pillow that previously Sumiko sat on. "Pardon me Heka..." He postured himself with a straight backbone to look formal and polite.

"Let us start. Whether you cooperate or not ...hence the water will never lie. The water would never ripple if the sea is calm." He deadpan. Muzan crossed his arms, but he knew he must follow his parent's orders otherwise they might sent him home more early.

"I understand you are doing your job. Then let us get over with it." He spats. Guren bows without any other emotion.

"Thank you your highness."

...

Toujiro and Sumiko are still at the backyard. They had not even sat at all. All they did is stood there, staring at each other with a tense atmosphere. Sumiko is really not himself.

Toujirou doesn't care anymore,he wanted to get involve if its something making Sumiko not comfortable. He would like to burn them away with his flames. So he pestered, "Also...Regarding your friendship with the prince. Can I be honest?" Sumiko snaps his head, then he remained behave and nervous.

"...S-Sure. You are my mentor after all." A hinted fear in his ruby eyes...Toujirou push for the permission to speak up, so he thought to be fair with him by sharing his secret. "Ok then...the truth is, me and Guren had been observing from afar." Shock, Sumiko cant believe his ears.

"R-really?! Y-you mean...were being spy on!?" His heart began to panic. 'He over reacted...'

The fear in his eyes bloom and it rattles, Toujirou knew that moment he hit him on hot seat. "Yes, part of it was an order from the King and Queen..the other half was personal feelings of mine and Priest Guren. We are curious how are you doing with your first job."

Toujirou was unreadable right now, Sumiko had visible sweat drops as he grip his fist and thought inside himself.

'If they had been stalking us...it is possible that they were confuse just like myself...'

He was too scared.

"We were worried if you were doing your job right...but we saw something else." Hearing that, Sumiko know his cover was blown.

'Oh no...he raised me after all, we trained in Fujikasane so Toujiro-san will definitely notice it...!'

He heard him next, such a worried voice.

"Sumiko...are you perhaps...about Kibutsuji-sama-"

"Don't say it!"

Sumiko had shut him up with a desperate yell.

"...!?"

Sumiko beg under his fading voice. "Please...Toujiro-san...don't ever mention it. Otherwise I might succumb to darkness." He whimpers. Toujirou's heart clutches. He understood that this is a sensitive topic for his boy that he must slow down. 'For real...Sumiko?'

"...I understand. I'm sorry about that Sumiko." But of course he won't give up. Hiding the fact that he isn't gonna let this slide so easily, he gave him back the idol smile that Sumiko trusted. "Ok let us stop there...hehe."

"I-its okay. I'm the one whose sorry..I must be disgusting." The boy replied with a forced smile.
Toujiro's face darken as he mumbles. "If only you knew..."

But Sumiko did not hear it nor see his face.

"Huh? Did you say something?" Toujiro switches right away to his Aniki smiles.

"Its nothing! Well then I guess you guys will go home soon. Two more days...~" he nods to himself.

"Yes..." Sumiko just shrugs. Toujirou then recall something else so he caught his attention again.

"Ah thats right, I remember other thing."

"Yes?"

Toujirou smirks.

"Priest Guren and I were told to go back with you guys at the castle. We will be there as well to pray individually for The King and Queen."

Sumiko is troubled.

"Eeehh!?"

.

.

.

.

.

"What!?" Muzan exclaimed. Guren tried to calm him down with uncaring tune as ever.

"Heka, I know it is sudden however it is also the King and Queen's command." Guren glance at the calendar on the wall. He reminded him something important and critical. "Especially your birthday is approaching soon..we will be needing more prayer than ever. To see if you will make it to your 18th birthday."

Bothered. "June...3rd...is approaching?" Muzan had not realize the calendar at all that he is aging once again.

Meaning, the death will approach him once more.

"My Birthday will haunt me again...?"

Muzan breaths under with tension...the unnoticed death-flag.

'Have you heard the bell of dawn? Bet you have not...and yes, It is I Tanjirou Sumiko...am Muzan-sama's priest, friend...a best friend and eventually his...'

One day passed. Sumiko's head were in the clouds.

Staring at the bright sky, Guren had step out of the house.

Sumiko is suppose to clean the front yard, but then he remained still.

Guren whose behind him, he already can tell that Sumiko is not aware of his presence at all. So he walked to him smoothly, without any intention to surprise him.

He called out. "Sumiko."

Only for Sumiko to jumps, "Ah!?"

Turning around, "P-Priest Guren!"

He had reacted too much that Guren had to scold him. "Compose yourself. You are a disgrace if you are not able to control your emotions as a priest."
It sounds so cold, but Sumiko was not hurt or anything. In fact he was embarrass and deeply he agreed at his words.

"S-sorry..."

Noticing he grip at the broom stick. Guren is not sure how to comfort him.
'He looks stress.' Were his thoughts for the junior.

Sumiko then remembered something so he asks him, "Are you and Muzan-sama done with counselling? Yesterday...I came back but you guys are still not over. Is it okay now...?"

Guren looks at the household before he responded. "He is resting at the moment." Hearing that Muzan is resting, Sumiko was worried. "Did his condition..." he trailed off, Guren can tell his assumption so he cleared it to him.
"Its summer. Even though it has been cloudly lately...It is still summer Sumiko."

"Ohh..."

Sumiko does remember that Muzan is anemic. Having a worried face, Sumiko thought he must do something.

"I...I will prepare him a cold bath then...!"

He was about to run, only Guren says something that can make him stop.

"Your heart, your mind and soul is owned by the Heka...will you eventually offer your body?"

Sumiko slowly turns around with sweat drops and trembling guilty lips. He met the ocean eyes of Tomioka Guren, they harbor no conscience when he says it too straight forward.

"You are a Priest of Fire, you should only serve and devote yourself to the sun of god. Sure, we must respect the royalties...but in the end we are not suppose to be owned by them."

Silence, Guren pushed him more to the corner. "Retrain yourself in Fujikasane Mountains if you no longer see the gods to be worth of service. If you see a human being like Heka is much more important. You are going stray...Sumiko."

Sumiko gap his mouth, then he took the courage to defy his concerns. "I'm still me...Guren-san." Though he was breaking. "It is just that...that person doesn't live long." It was not a lie.

Guren mused at him, "We are the same. We Priest uses the Breath of elements to be able to bare their souls into us...their vessels. We has limited lifespan too." Sumiko shakes his head, "You are wrong, remember we can escape death as long as we quit the ritual before the age of 25 years old...but him...the prince does not have such choice."

Sumiko glared with hope, "I want him to be happy before he passes away. I want to give him a life that he will never obtain by himself..." a sad smile finally embossed to him,Guren's eyes widen. "I'm directly related to the sun of god...so if my brightness will let his gloomy moon gain some light...then I want to share it. Even if it does not last...even if just in the midnight."

'Ahh...such soft heart Sumiko as always.' Guren softens as he appreciate him. 'Sumiko you are doing fine...however, this is a double edge sword for us priest...'
Guren had a hidden depression that the rest of the priest may not notice they were also the same as him. 'Being a priest is not easy...Yet Sumiko makes it look easy.'

Guren had dive himself in the water to be a loyal priest to the gods. By means, they will be kind, wise and responsible.

Yet the sword of this job line is that they must not get too attach to anybody,otherwise they will be tainted. As a vessel, as a temple for gods...their mind,heart,body and soul must remain absorb only to the sun and moon. But seeing Sumiko loving everyone in an equal length, Guren fear his future.

So he approached him, Sumiko looks at him as he notice that Guren is not being mean to him anymore.

He told him, "Sumiko...whatever road you choose, I will support you. Though, please consider to re train in Fujikasane...I do not want to loose you."

Sumiko's heart was touch, he had teary eyes with a happy admiration. Sumiko is always thankful to Tomioka Guren.

"Thank you for your concern Guren-san! I feel the same way about you...I do not want you to loose as well!"

Finally having a bit relief, Sumiko waves at him as he is about to enter their household.

"See you at launch!"

Guren just nods and it was his turn to look above the heavens.
He prayed. "May Sumiko be saved from any danger that will like to pull his legs in the abyss...please protect him Kami-sama..."

Inside...

Muzan just woke up when he heard the door slides open. He was rubbing his sleeply eyes, at his side there was medicine on it.

His meds.

"Uh...Sumiko is that you?"
Was his first word. Sumiko tried not to look at the medicine but he ended up staring at it.

'The dose increase...Did Guren-san gave him these?'

Sumiko opens the window to show a bit of sunlight inside. Muzan shivers, finding Muzan shield himself with the sheets, "Sorry!" He adjusted them with enough light but not too much to expose Muzan.

He sat beside his master and check his temperature. "You okay...? You don't seem to have a fever though..." Sumiko's hands covers his forehead..."Hnn..."

Muzan is actually too weak to even glare at his worried face. Swatting Sumiko's hands gently away from his forehead...Muzan changed the topic.

"I want to have a haircut."

Sumiko blinks,"Eh?"

Muzan looks at Sumiko's ponytail. Sumiko's hair tail is in the length of his hips. Muzan is curious. "How are you able to maintain such length without feeling heavy or hot?"

Sumiko travel his own finger tips to his long pony tail.

"Oh that...it may not look like it, but my hair is not that thick."

Then he travel his hands to Muzan's curly long locks that is not pony tailed at all...His hair is technically in the lenght of his knees already...Indeed a haircut is a must. "Meanwhile your hair is thin..." then he went stiff. 'Ah oh, I said something insensitive!' Of course Muzan's hair will be thin strands...they were sick after all. Muzan already knows that Sumiko felt bad at his insensitive comment.

But he let it slide, "Come on, can you cut my hair for me? Even just for a bit..." Seeing Muzan is not struggling or being grumpy...not even sarcastic nor teasing devil. Sumiko's worries increased. 'He must be really unwell..' Putting an act, "Alright! Lets cut your hair!"

From a drawer, he took a clipper blade that is considered as scissors at this era. Sumiko also took a tanto display to cut half way the lenght of the excessive hair before he fix them by the clippers. "Mhhm~ About this lenght..."Then he gently brush first Muzan's hair.

Muzan made a movement to point at the veranda. "Lets not put more hair strands at my futon. Lets go to the sunlight..." Respecting Muzan's request. Sumiko helps him up and steadily made their way to sit at the veranda. Muzan is just silently watching the peaceful morning as Sumiko playing with his hair.

"Muzan-sama...after this, I will bath you. I prepare it already actually!"

Snip,snip...

Muzan had a small smile, he had no plans not to be thankful by Sumiko's advance thinking. "Please take care of me then~"

Cutting Muzan's hair not so short but not too long either. Just medium ones. Muzan did not mind at all.

"Done!"

Sumiko felt success.

"Waaa~! Still good looking my lord!" He giggles.

Muzan touches his medium lenght curly locks and blush. "R-really?"
Nodding, "Yep!"

Then they proceed to the bathroom.

A wooden tub.

SPLASH!

"Ow!"
"I'm sorry! Was it too cold?!"

Right now, Muzan is inside the wooden tub with cold water, it is summer so the cold water has not bother him, meanwhile Sumiko in his white bathrobe in case he get soak in process of bathing the prince. Muzan shakes his head as he embraced his own flesh.

"No..it's just my body sensitive on its own. But am not hurt or anything. Continue..."

'He is acting tough as always...He and his pride as a man and a future king...hmm...'

Hesitant...Sumiko decided to keep going as Muzan wanted to remain strong.

"Ok, give me your arm." Scrubbing his skin, his hair.
Sumiko sniffs his scent. 'Muzan-sama's body...is so frail yet...so precious...'

Muzan did not notice anything strange at all, he let his priest invade his private parts to take a proper cleaning.
He will shudder every time Sumiko would accidentally rub too fast or scrub too hard ,or when the splashing water hits his bones, he will shrink.

"Ghh...!"

"Muzan-sama!"

"Keep going..."

Sumiko is about to be done soon when Muzan finally gain some strength to converse. "Say...Priest Sumiko," softly scrubbing Muzan's pale back. "Hm?" Muzan had lonely eyes. He was not ashamed to tell him his feelings regards the counselling with Guren.

"I don't want to return to the castle. I want to live here...this place is nice and warm..."
Sumiko did not want to destroy Muzan's hopeful dreams, he tried to joke with him.

"But a royal like you cannot be with commoners my lord~ Also you are hard to feed. Then the clothes that we have are not the finest fabric for your sensitive skin~" Muzan only closed his eyes then he look at his own reflection at the water.

Bubbles...bubbles...

Staring at his hair that gave him maturity. "If only the Blue spider lily legend is real...I do not mind consuming that evil flower."

Sumiko heard him, but Sumiko decided to play along. "Well~If such flower exists, I can get it for you. But then...you won't be human anymore. Are you sure?"

Muzan chuckles, "Oh...right, I guess never mind." Glancing at Sumiko in his back. "Because that means I will be immortal and you will remain a human. There will be no point if we do not consume it together. Then again, it is unnecessary for you to take it...because you have a healthy body Sumiko."

Sumiko stared at him.
Muzan simply stared too.

Nobody was feeling awkward, they are just too tired to even make it a big deal.
Sumiko decided to make his forehead to connect with Muzan's forehead. "Priest...?"

And he told him with a loving wish.

"I told you before...I have a monster inside me too Muzan-sama. It is only restrained by my hanafuda earrings. Were both humans, humans are not perfect. So never fear to be selfish for once...never fear to be worried for tomorrow...because eventually we will all die. Then all of those silly worries will fade into nothing, but the memories we had stored will be eternal..."

Muzan still numb to notice that Sumiko is touching his body indifferently. Sumiko shuts his eyes to hide the lust he had at the moment.

Muzan closes his eyes to relax.
Their forehead remained leaning to each other.

"Lets pray Muzan-sama...I will help you." He took his hands, Muzan responded to cup with his hands. Now their hands were holding to each other.

Both grips tightly as they prayed together.

'Kami-sama...may we reincarnated to a better life.'

Is their wish, in case that..Kibutsuji Muzan will not outlived his upcoming lineage.

Sumiko just wanted to be ready, and Muzan just wanted to remain calm.

SPLASH!

The vacation ends, the next day they said goodbye, the 12 servants came back. Packing their stuffs. Riding again in the palaquin box...Muzan,Sumiko, Toujirou and Guren returns to Asakuza Tokyo. The castle of Kibutsuji Empire.

Chapter Text

If there is light, there will be a shadow lingering in someone's heart. Even if it drowns...

'I do not know the difference between friendship and love. I never harbor such infatuation to even bother how it was different. All I care is to be with my favorite person...just be notice everyday by my fire of life...is what I consider as my happiness during those days. That heat I yearn in my cold body...'

It was their new hobby together. Muzan closes the scroll he had been reading and went towards Sumiko's.

"Let me read it-" he snatch the paper, making Sumiko stand up to defend his work. "Wait! My heart is not ready for critics!" Pulling it, Muzan had let go of the paper for it not to tear in half. He was persistent though. "The heck. Give me that-" he grabs Sumiko's wrist, Sumiko puts force not to be touch like that. "No!" That caused Muzan to stumble forward.

"Ah!"
"Muzan-sama!"

BLAG!

Falling with his knee, it hurt. "Ouch!" Despite the soft tatami placed in Muzan's study room...it still scarred him.

"M-Muzan-sama!" Seeing the small scrapped on his pale knees, Muzan grits his teeth. Sumiko smacks himself. "Oh no...your knee is bleeding! I'm sorry...I shouldn't have been stubborn. Now look at you...I will get killed." He gulps down, Muzan glared at him irritated.

"Just simply tell them I collapse or something! sheesh."

Proceeding to completely seat at the tatami floor, Muzan stared at his bleeding right knees.

"Y-you are not mad at me...? Even though I'm the reason why you trip..." Sumiko says as he stood up, admitting his faults. "Not really...I was having a bad footing halfway anyway~" says Muzan with a short glance above the ceiling.
Sumiko saw the color of Muzan's eyes. They look weaken.

'Hm? Wait...his eyes does not look good. Has he been trying so hard to pretend healthy again?'

Deciding to respect the usual stubbornness in his prince, he went to grab some first aid kit.

Muzan waited silently till Sumiko comes back with a smile. "Let me clean that up." He crouches to the floor and offered his caring hands. "Give me your legs..." the said hands looks manly as ever, Muzan cannot help but had small red cheeks.

He will be babysit again...

"O-okay."

As Sumiko applied first aid and band aid. His fingers travel to the said legs, but his eyes were focus to Muzan's long thighs. Even though they were frail, it looks pretty.

'Muzan-sama's thighs...I want to touch them...but it's something forbidden...I'm very sorry Muzan-sama...for being such a perverted friend.'

Sumiko is already done with the treatment but he hasn't freed Muzan's right leg. Wondering whats up...Muzan called him. "Sumiko?" Sumiko blinks. "Hm?"

Sumiko had a fake happy innocent smile, Muzan though points at his hands. "Your palms are too hot. Do you have a fever?"

Getting thunder strike, Sumiko panics.

"E-eh?! R-really...!?" Mentally smacking himself. 'Stupid hormones...! Muzan-sama is innocent! He is pure! Do not taint him with you and your lustful desires...!' Muzan frowns, Sumiko was color red.

"You okay?"

Escaping, Sumiko went to the doorway without even helping Muzan to stand up. He even left the first aid kit at the floor.

"Anyhow! I got to go and pray haha! Later!"

The sliding door shuts, Muzan looks at his grounds and found items...
"He left the poem..." carefully using his fragile fingers to lift the heavy paper. Well for him it is heavy. "Lets see..."

He silently reads the poem in his mind. The vision boomed in his imagination.

Poem:

Pale like the snow.
Dark hair like the midnight sky.
Eyes that twinkles and fades by morning.

He was the moon the sun needed,
Someone to share it's rays.
How monochromatic it would be?
If they become one
Will it be consider as an eclipse?
Or is it a new begging of the end?

The twilight approaches.
The legend of flower prays to bloom
Forever.

Feeling the sense of defeat, Muzan had a funny vein pop and fist. "That Priest...he is better than ...mine!" Inspired to make his writing better, Muzan crawls at the floor and starts to write more.

"I'll defeat him! Hmp!"
Like a competitive child, Muzan made himself busy with it.
It was indeed a hobby to kill time.

'However he began to take less and less time with me...Eversince Priest of flame Toujirou and Priest of Water Guren talks to him and they spend time together...Stuffs so called 'Meeting'.It feels like Priest Sumiko is...drifting away.'

Almost nearing the end of the month 'MAY'..something feels like a heavy stranger.

"Sumiko is avoiding me...why..?"

Muzan ask himself alone in the castle library. To be true, Sumiko and him has not bond much as it used to. Muzan feels like he was rejected or something. "I have to stop this mistreatment." He swears.

Getting out of the library, Muzan made his way to his parent's throne.

"Where is Priest Sumiko?" Is their child's demand. Muzan's mother and father looks at each other wondering why their son is upset that the priest of fire is not around lately to pray for him.

So Muzan's father chuckles and said so lightly,

"Oh son, we told him to put some distance to you. Lately you two are awfully close, focus on your counselling with Priest Guren. We do not want you to be dependent at the priest of fire too much. Counselling sessions are important whether you like it or not, we want your mind to be healthy as well!"

Muzan can smell lies, so he push his father to confess the truth by guessing.

"Who told you that?" Visible surprise from his parents, his mother answered him.

"...Uhh Priest Toujiro. Is something bothering you...?" Instead, Muzan turns his back without any proper goodbye with the King and Queen who were traumatize by his rude exit. "W-wait?!"

Ditching them completely...

Muzan cursed in his mouth that nobody else can hear except him.

"That imbecile."

Outside the throne, just somewhere in the hallway of the palace. Toujiro and Sumiko were exchanging shy smile to each other.

"Thank you Priest Toujiro-san...I really need space." Toujiro happily blushes and scratch his head, he was embarrass yet proud. "Its nothing Sumiko my boy!" Around the corner, Muzan happen to spot them.

'They are together! Again!'

As for Toujiro his face changed to worried ones. "By the way...are you feeling ok?" Sounds deeply concern, Sumiko gave him a tired smile.

"I think I will have a fever...I don't want to add more sickness to Muzan-sama's weak body..." he braced his arms for comfort, he really did not want him to get sick, he touch the back of Sumiko and gently push them.

"Come,let me take you to your room, Sumiko my boy..."

He pats his back for further reassurance of care. Sumiko weakly nod with a small smile. "Thanks..."

Muzan is digging his nails at the available pillar where he was hiding. 'Dammit, I cant hear a single thing they are talking about! What was that conversation they exchanged? That Priest Toujiro looks so happy...and Sumiko looks strange...where are they going?"

He stalked them and saw the two went inside Sumiko's private room.

Muzan panics that the two are inside. Hurrying his phase, they begun to wiggle, it was quite a long hallway before you can reach the priests rooms.

"J-just a bit more...just a little more step...I will reach the door of Sumiko's quarters-" seven more meter..Muzan pants and clutch his chest feeling heavy.

"Hahh..hahh...curse this body..."

Eyes blurring, his head forming some sweat drops. He cannot walk further. "No...don't...stop..." Muzan felt dizzy, to avoid falling flat he rested his back to the wall's pillar and slowly slides down until he was sitting at the floor.

"Hahh..hahh...?" Catching his breath, he admit he was suppose to walk slowly but he urge to be in hurry to stalk the two...now it bite his actions into this. "I hate this..."

He was gritting his teeth now from the seething pain in his body. Ranting in his head as his world starts to darken.

'My legs hurt...my bones hurt a lot...my head too.' More pant of breath and feverish. '...My ear felt like they will bleed by hearing the cold wind whooshing around the air...' clawing the floor. 'I have to get up, nobody should see further of my weakness...the servants had seen enough of my lame side. At very least, I do not want that flame priest to see me like this...!'

the darkness had consumed the prince to sleep.
He echoed in his mind for help.

'Sumiko where are you...?'

Completely asleep, suddenly a faint voice called his name. The voice was not warm or anything but he can feel the sincerity of concern.

"Heka, Heka...wake up..." feeling a light tug at his shoulders and his cheeks, Muzan tried to fight the slumber he had fainted to. "Mmrr.." struggling to open his eyes, slowly they opened and saw a familiar face and clothing. Color blue like the ocean, a dark blue priest uniform.

Finally waking up, Muzan glared at the man to stop himself from relaxing. He furiously and intently stared at the person in his front that is currently crouching to his level.

"Priest...Guren...?"Tomioka Guren observes him before he spoke his worries."You collapsed here at the hallway, please allow me to carry you" about to touch the prince,his hands were slapped away.

SLAP!

"Grr.." Muzan hisses at him,

"Don't touch me! Am not pitiful! I can walk by myself-" Aching pain from his stomach. "Argh!" Muzan hurled like an injured cat.

He was very weak and experience some unbearable body pain that no one can make it go away unless he take meds, the medicine had drugs to make them silent. Yes,you can call it pain killer during these days.

Guren knot his eyebrows and scolds the young master, he was furious.

"Stop being childish!"

Muzan's ears twitch and he yells at the priest of water. "Excuse me?! How dare you talk to me like that you mere Priest-" Guren cuts him off by stating facts. "Priest Sumiko will not be happy to see you in this state. Do you want that?" In instant Muzan was silent. The prince dubiously look at Guren with fear.

"Y-you..."

Guren closed his eyes to tear away from the glare of faded irises as he nonchalantly explained himself. "I know everything. Sumiko is under my watch Heka, I swore to protect him and look after him...however am not the only one who treats him like this."

Muzan rolled his eyes and huffs at him, with mockery and sarcastic attitude. "Let me guess...the Priest of Flame too~" Guren sighs as he doesn't want to argue with a child, so he deadpan. "No comment."

Then he showed his hands, stretching them to gesture a help Muzan needed at the moment. He was still at the cold floor resting in the pillar's body for support wearing a dark jade kimono.

"Now allow me to carry you or I will leave you be?" Muzan growls and felt insulted. "Leave me be!" He looks away, Guren felt a vein pop inside and commented.

"Stubborn." Making Muzan more aggravated. "Why do you care?!" Guren narrowed his eyes and warned the young master. "You will become a demon if you keep this attitude of yours..." Muzan laughs and decided to piss him off. "Hah! Counselling me again...get a life Priest Guren, you yourself is depress so stop acting like you are mentally and emotionally stable!"

Guren shakes his head as he was getting tired of this spoiled brat.
"Atleast I admit my flaws Heka." Muzan already sense this will get nowhere so he click his tongue in dismay. "Tsk.." calming down..

Guren offered his hands again. "Last straw, accept my help or I will call the maids." Muzan looks at him then to his hands...

'Maybe I shouldn't be too stubborn...'

It was just for Sumiko, Muzan knows he has to stand up to see his fire.
"F-fine." Accepting the hands, Guren helped him walk slowly until they reached his private quarters.

It felt like forever that noon came up.

...

Meanwhile on the other side of the walls...In Sumiko's room.

Gently Toujiro lets go of Sumiko. Lighting the room with fire lamp. Sumiko walks forward to reach his bed. "I'm going to rest-" he weakly says and lost his footing.

"Sumiko!" Catching Sumiko before he falls flat, Sumiko made a crack laugh from being an embarrassment just now. "Ahh...thanks for catching me Toujiro-san, that was close..." finally Toujirou had a good look at the fire priest face, he touch them.

"You have eyebags..." ignoring the touch, Sumiko weakly pulls away and made his way to the readied futon.

"Hehe, lately I cannot sleep properly...even if I pray I just couldn't sleep..." fixing the futon before he completely lies down.

Toujirou had a serious face and he said, "Sumiko my boy...you are being tainted." Sumiko stops and gave him a questionable look. "What..?"

Toujiro kept his serious looks that made Sumiko guilty. "You have to stop thinking about earthly desire Sumiko...not that am to speak, but I cant ignore you behaving like this." With a sorrowful look, Sumiko shook his head and bit his lips to judge himself.

"Am a burden...?"

Toujirou snaps out of his serious face and began to panic.

"No! I mean...ever since you became friends with the prince,especially during Kumotori Mountain vacation...you look tired." Slumping shoulders...Sumiko laid down. "I guess am tired Toujiro-san...am tired of pretending to be holy..." closing his eyes, Toujirou felt uncomfortable.

"S-Sumiko?" Sumiko smiles a little before they faded.

"I'm sleepy...sorry..." witnessing how fast Sumiko fallen asleep, he even heard him do a short sleep talking. "Muzan...sama.."

Toujiro sat at his futon side and pet his hair with enviousness.

"Why Sumiko? Why did he capture your torch so easily like that?" Sad eyes of forming jealousy..."When I was the one who had been with you...why him?" Toujirou is hurt. "Why him when...he wont live long...?"

.

.

.

.

.

Tomioka Guren and Kibutsuji Muzan has arrived the room.

"Rest Heka." Gently he helped Muzan sit down and lays him at the comfortable luxurious futon bed.

Muzan cleared his throat to growl at Guren uncaring face. "I know that already! Now get lost." Pulling the covers, Guren silently sat beside the bed with knees and fist resting on them. He cannot help but to get involve, seeing how the two were close.

'I got to do something...' speaking, "Priest Sumiko is not avoiding you." Muzan shot a him a death glare. "I know that too, my parents ordered him to stay away, because of your Flame priest words of advise!" Angry, Guren replies quickly without feeling offended or anything.

"There was a reason behind it." That made Muzan curious,his tone of voice and sassy attitude changed to a bit formal. "What is it?" Guren averted his eyes but he still told him the truth.

"Priest Sumiko...time to time he get feverish. He did not want to tell you directly. So he ask Priest Rengoku Toujirou to do it for him." Muzan made an abrupt seat, Ignoring the pain he felt from that small quick movement,he was feeling lied on to. "But why!? I thought were-"

"Friends?"

Guren punch him by words.

"If you really are friends, you are dense Heka. You should look at others too, not only your health. We all know you are very ill...but you should take care of your friend as well. Sumiko is a human, he cannot be strong all the time to babysit you." Hinting he was annoyed at the self centered prince. Muzan thinks deeply as he shared his thoughts.

"Now you mention...when we were writing poem...his body temperature does change time to time. Then afterwards he will look exhausted. So he was getting sick...?" Guren nods. "You finally understood."

Muzan clutches his covers, he shook his head."Was it...my sickness had cause him that?" His presence were darkening, making Guren uncomfortable. "Eh?" Muzan lift his head and stared at the sunset that can be seen in his room's window. "Will Sumiko die...?"

Guren immediately stops his assumptions.

"Hold on Heka, nobody said your illness can be transferred. Priest Sumiko just have a bad fatigue thats all. His supposed to be vacation in Kumotori mountains had became a day care instead." He finally said. Muzan's disturbance slowly faded by hearing the story behind further their friendship.

"Are you saying if I didn't come with him at his hometown he wont get tired?" Guren is a bit surprised, "He did not told you...? That was indeed his vacation for one week, should have been devoted to his own time not yours." Muzan silently settle his worries within his own world as Priest Guren watches him without any further words.

'And yet.. Sumiko, he invited me to go with him instead of resting and relaxing with his family...I see, I was too selfish...is this why am always punish?'

Behaving all his jealousy, his doubts, his worry. "Fine,I will heed your advise to behave. Till then...please tell me more about Sumiko. I want to know his thoughts." Guren thought it will be bad to end it like this so he added his personal opinion."I don't think I have any position to share that. However basic information is fine...like, Priest Tanjirou Sumiko is about to file a resignation after your birthday to gather himself away from earthly needs."

Muzan sarcastically chuckles. "You are lying right...? But why?" He had a mocking smile and thought Guren was making a bad joke just like how unlikable his personality is, Guren ignored them as usual and bare no emotions in his words.

"We priests are not allowed to be too close to someone. Just being friends with you is enough to taint Priest Sumiko's oath with the sun of god." Ridiculous. "Eh...? You serious?" Though it starting to make Muzan to believe him.

Guren's voice did not fade. "Even so, Priest Sumiko pushed his selfishness...just for his prayer for you to take effect." Muzan knew this man isn't messing with him now.

"You mean to be happy...?" Another firm nod, "Yes, isn't being by Sumiko's side your happiness Heka?" Making Muzan feel bit guilty. "I do...?" But also questioning it himself. Guren pressured him.

"Despite your illness, you were fighting against it so that you can spend time with him. That is something called strong will." Finally getting irate, Muzan growls in annoyance.

"What are you getting at? This counselling is over! It gives me headache!"

Guren did not feel any remorse and proceed to summarize everything he had been babbling around the prince.

"To put it simply Heka, if being with Sumiko is your medicine...on Sumiko's part it is a poison. Please end your friendship with him."

Grabbing Guren's collar aggressively, Guren is unfaced. "How dare you order me around?! Get out!" Pushing him, Guren did not loose any balance. He simply fix his kimono collar then took his leave.

"Very well. But tomorrow you have no choice but to counsel with me again...King and Queen orders~ Goodbye. Rest well Heka."
Shutting the sliding door. Muzan ruffles his own hair out of irritation.

"That reverie guy!" Suddenly feeling bad about everything when he shouldn't be, because he had the rights to take vacation the priest of fire..Muzan shoulder's slumped down.

"Am really poisoning Sumiko's health...?"

Thinking about his own personality.

"If I stop being clingy...will he not resign?"

Out of nowhere he urge to cough.

"*coughs!*"

Muzan's eyes widen that he saw a very small droplet of blood in his sheet.

'T-this...'

Hurting in his throat. Muzan's vision went frenzy again as he dramatically scolds his life. "If he was really my medicine then why is that...?! M-my vision is darkening. "'*coughs...! Coughs!*" more coughing, Muzan covered his mouth so hard that his stomach is curling. 'S-stop coughing...compose yourself...!'

Gaining a little bit of control to his coughing, Muzan pathetically hurled at his futon. Gripping fist. "...Come back to me Sumiko...I miss your presence of warmth." Hugging his own body for comfort. Muzan was feeling lonely.

"I feel so cold..."

'If he was drifting away, I was getting perish slowly by my condition. I made up my mind to be controlled by my selfishness without shame if this was the case. Even if I make him cry...It doesn't matter. These are my rights for not obtaining a strong body. Am not Muzan if I wont be self absorbed.'

May month finally ended, Muzan and Sumiko has not seen each other at all. Both locked themselves in their room to get better from their condition.
A condition of feverish mutual understanding that puts fatigue, stress and confusion for them.

It is about to become Jun 3rd, 11pm...Around here, Rengoku Toujirou brought some fruit basket for Tanjirou Sumiko, he thought to cheer him up by giving him these. Turning at the corner to reach Sumiko's room.

"Sumiko my boy are you-"

His feet quickly stops, "...!" his body reacted to hide at the pillar that thankfully happen to be there. Badump, Badump! His heart raced from being nervous, it was almost close call that he will be part of it.

'Kibutsuji-sama and Sumiko! Those...two..'

Muzan wearing his white kimono with pink haori for men. Sumiko in his green and black checkered kimono. The two are awfully close.

Deciding not to leave, Toujirou eavesdrop.

He heard a caring voice from the cold prince that has never shown him such acknowledgement.

"Sumiko I heard you were sick. Have you recover? I haven't seen you for 2 weeks..." a relief smile were there. "I have miss your service of prayer." he paced closer to the stiff Sumiko.

Toujirou can guess Sumiko wants to run away but he still displayed a weak polite smile.

"Muzan-sama...my apologies, yes I was unwell. Sorry for not doing my job properly as your priest...I do not deserve-" Only for Muzan to hugs him, "Oh Sumiko~"making him silent. "The important thing is you are back." Muzan patting Sumiko's head while hugging. Rengoku Toujiro is triggered.

Badump...))

Toujirou knew he must leave, otherwise his feelings will just get uglier. 'Calm your flames Toujirou...It is not like they can be officially together...he is not on the level of...' still unable to leave on spying the two.

Sumiko was been release from Muzan's hug. "Did Priest Guren and you...had a good counselling session?" Sumiko tried to play it cool. Muzan blankly stared down at the shorter one.

"Its ok."

Sumiko notice his presence was unusual...as if something is making Muzan worried and undecided.

Big brother vibes kicking in, Sumiko tried to invade Muzan's thoughts. "Are you hiding something from me Muzan-sama...?"

However Muzan shots back at him.

"Aren't you the one hiding something from me instead, Priest Sumiko?"

"Eh?"

Surprised, Muzan's caring eyes turned shallow and hurt.

"You were avoiding me. I'm not dense, I maybe sick with late reaction on someone else presence on my surrounding, but I'm not dumb to read someone's atmosphere they are emitting." He was ranting at him.

Sumiko decided to make excuse though,

"T-that was not my intention-" Muzan however refuses his time to defend himself. "Yes you do! You fear that your fever will transfer to me! I get it...but there is something else behind your actions. I had a feeling you are lying to me. Confess it."

Sumiko grit his teeth.

The sky color changed, it is now around 12am, Officially June 3rd, Kibutsuji Muzan's birthday has came in session.

Sumiko and Muzan glared at each other.
It was a very heavy long silence.

Then, "Fine..." as Sumiko sighs, Muzan thought he won. Instead Sumiko took something from his pouches. A omamori charm with his name on it.

"EH?"

The omamori consist color of red, yellow lettering and green lace. "The red is for power! The yellow is for good fortune...! The green is for good health~!" Sumiko happily took Muzan's hands and forced them to be within his palms.

"Happy 18th Birthday Muzan-sama! You survived this year! Thank the heavens for your well being!"

Muzan narrowed his eyes further to do a death glare. It was getting on his nerves whenever Sumiko defies him like this.

He had enough.
He shouted.

"Who cares about my birthday!? Am asking you! Dont change the topic! Is it true? That our relationship is toxic!?"

Almost afraid of Muzan's outburst, Sumiko tried to calm him down.

"H-huh! Who told you that-" then Muzan stomps his feet and is being violent on his self. His body language show how much he was throbbing in anger.

"It doesnt matter who said it! Am really a poison to you that just being with me...you get sick!?" Demanding for attention, such selfishness displayed. Muzan doesn't have two faced, he was just a child in an adult body it seems. You can't blame him, he lack some humane activity. He cannot socialize with such body. But then again a selfish brat he was it is still annoying.

"But Sumiko...I need you! You are my medicine!"

Sumiko had enough as well, forgetting the fact that he shouldn't treat the prince like this...Sumiko yells back, "STOP!" he was furious as hell. "Stop whining already!" His sharp tongue made Muzan paused then he snarled back.

"YOU...!" He was more hurt than ever. "...Sumiko...so it was true? You want to leave me after my birthday...?" Muzan grit his teeth to display the betrayal he felt, he had teary pupils caused by frustration.

"Argh! Geez!" Sumiko scowls as ruffles his own bangs to cool his head off but he was still angry at the prince. "Its not like that! It is just...am on my limit Muzan-sama!" He was tired of it. "I cannot act normal in your presence anymore...!" there was a crack in his voice...something broken. "What do you mean...? Were friends, so say it..." Muzan feared rejection from the usually composed and kind heart Sumiko...

His Sumiko was not smiling. He had that irate face. Muzan was shock when Sumiko mocks him. "Friends? Bestfriends...? See the illusion I created Muzan-sama...?" Confused. "Illusion...?"

Sumiko sarcastically laughs. "Ha..ha,ha!" Shaking his head, "You don't get it? Or was it your illness making your brain lack some functioning?" Muzan never knew such side of him, a rude side of his adoring priest of fire. "Why are you speaking like that-"

Then Sumiko confessed it, with the most unbearable sadness he had been consumed to all these months.

"I have gain! ...such impurity in me...I..I has indecent desire to be with you Muzan-sama. At first it was normal to see you naked. It was normal to dress you up. It was normal to bath you. However somewhere along the line...I started seeing things differently. I started seeing a different point of view towards you." Shutting his eyes to take a hold of himself from breaking further.

"Am a beast Muzan-sama in a sheep cloth." Sumiko sounded like a try hard pleading to stop and cut off everything they build. He beg to be released...he clutch his chest with a very fragile voice, when he opened his eyes they were crystal."Therefore I can no longer be your personal priest. I has to go back to the mountains and be divine again-"

Only for Muzan dives to catch his lips.

"Mmh?!"

He was kissed in the lips. A smooch between the lips of blooming youth. Eyes widen, Sumiko jerks away and rubs his lips. "Ughh..!" Covering them with his defensive arms. "W-why did you kiss me!?" He scolds his majesty who did not even think carefully of his actions.

"You will get bacteria from me! I haven't bath yet...!" Blushing, Kibutsuji Muzan also had a sorrowful look. It looked like Muzan has given up. Slowly he walked closer until he grab Sumiko's wrist to behave in place. "That is my line." Muzan's pupils were commanding, making Sumiko less struggle.

"Look, you are never impure to me Sumiko...you were the only one who keep a positive view of my life that everyone says that I won't live long."
Sumiko froze, 'Muzan-sama's grip...' he notice that Muzan is actually trembling...his hands were trying its very best to dominate his wrist into his.

"Therefore am not afraid if you had such virus. I want to make you mine..." his hot breath, "Offer me your fire, priest Sumiko Tanjirou~let us do it before I go to the after life~"

BADUMP! BADUMP!

'NO...! This is dangerous!' Sumiko's ears went hot from such a daring invitation and denied the feelings he had been harboring. "Y-you mean...m-make love?!" Again, defying Muzan's will, Sumiko had teary eyes of hate. Sumiko is loathing himself.

"But...but that is a sin to us priest...!" Snapping up his head to scold the taller men more and more,he struggle for his wrist to be release. "Especially we are both male...I mean, does your body can even handle-"

Muzan hushed him by one fingertip, Sumiko gawks.

"Which do you serve? The gods that you never saw or me that always here?" Little bit the panic Sumiko felt is dying down. He composed himself and sounded authoritative.

"Muzan-sama...do not ever compare yourself to the gods. You might get cursed." Muzan didnt care and pulled his wrist further to get closer to his private space. "Stop-" The gesture made their hearts thump in vibrations. "But I want you Sumiko. I love you. Don't you want to see more?"

The other free hands of Muzan traveled to his own chest to seduce the other. "Don't you want to expose me?" Purposely making his chest to be seen, the prince remember the incident in the river. He knew Sumiko was attacking him that time but he let it slide. "S-Stop this..."

Muzan's invitation is a poison indeed. "Burn me to ashes of your sun rays Sumiko..." Sumiko ended up crying, 'It is no use if he insist this much...Am...' finally Sumiko voiced out, "...hn, ok you won." to put his true feelings for his beloved prince to reach them.

"The truth is I.. I love you Muzan-sama...even if just for a night, even just once in a full moon." Making his free hand to cup onto Muzan's cheeks in the right side, Muzan felt the strong urge of wanting to burry with them. "That was a fact I cannot deny inside me..."

Muzan silently released his left wrist, allowing him to touch both side of his cold skin in cheeks.

"This beautiful moonlight...taint me with your illness...to your heart's content." His finger tips were invading the curly locks of his tall prince, Sumiko is tiptoeing. "Sumiko..." Muzan cups his cheeks too, Muzan knelt a little to make their eyes on same level of intent passion. Exchanging loving stares.

"Heal me Priest Sumiko~ heal me with your warmth of love. Expose me your darkest desire..." he whispered to him. Sumiko chuckles, though he was still hesitant.

"It will not be pretty...Are you sure?" Muzan smiles at him with confidence. "Yes, because love you so much Sumiko...I honestly didn't know this feelings were called love." A little bit shy when he shared the truth."T-The poem..I wrote it for you." Sumiko red cheeks darken by Muzan's confession.

He too admit his work. "C-coincidence, my poem was also about you...hehe..." Muzan mesmerize the shorter one as he compliments his everything.

"You see, ever since I first saw you in Hii No Kami Kagura Dance...it was very endearing and precious memory to me." Not even realizing he was dragging the priest to go to hell with him.

"Lets ignore the boundary...just the two of us...on this night. Make me experience things my body couldn't explore. While I still have time...while I still exist, do it. I command you my priest." Stopping to cup each of their cheeks. They proceed to hold hands, Sumiko pulls him to his room behind their backs.

"If you wish so...Muzan-sama...Then lets get inside where nobody will disturb our moment."

Entering the priest of fire's private quarters.
The two were about to become one beneath the full moon.

...

Toujirou whose been quiet at the pillar, he grip his fist to stop the flame burning inside him. "Khh.." Disgusted at the defeat,because he has not even tried to battle on. '...Ahh, I lost my Priest of Fire.' Insulting his own weakness. "I hate myself-"

"Priest Rengoku Toujirou."

The fruit basket drops when a voice echoed behind him like an entity, It was motionless yet educating ones.

"Good eve." Startled gasp, "Whose there-"Turning around he spot...A pale-skinned, tall man with long and spiky, black hair that he kept in a ponytail.

His name is Tsukiguni Michikatsu, he wore a purple-and-black-patterned kimono and black hakama pants tied with a white cloth. He carried a sword at his waist that had crescent shapes in the space between the tsuka wrapping of the handle of his sword. He has prominent eyebrows, and his notably less pale skin. His eyes had brown irises and normal white sclera as a human, they felt mysterious.

"T-The Priest of moon...Michikatsu!" Michikatsu is alike to Sumiko. He had a direct bond with the god of moon. At the age of 13, he had also dance the Tsuki Hira No Odori mai ritual. (Moon's sun daylight love Dance)
It is a dance that display a cold type of affection to the lonely world of Moon god always felt. This dance were done in the middle of red spider lilies under a full moon. You can say it is like Hii No Kami Kagura dance...except this type of sword dance is offered to the moon god as said.

The high Priest Ubuyashiki's favorite priest of all.

"Since when did you arrive?" There is something with Michikatsu's superiority that Toujirou cant help but tremble before his presence. Michikatsu looks above the night sky and saw the moon shined the dark hallway. However around the noted time of 12am...Soon the moon will fade... He was simple at his schedule.

"I'm here because it is around the year of the Blue Spider Lily to bloom. It is my job to send prayers to the moon god." He says and he looks at Toujirou's troubled face. Gulping, "Does...the King and Queen already been told by your visit?" Toujirou cannot understand the uneasiness he felt when this man approached him.

Michikatsu still did not stray to his purpose and shared him without baring any emotion, almost alike to Guren.

"I send them a letter and they did not protests. Especially it is the young master's birthday. I bet they want a full force prayer to extend his life till he reach 20's..." the only difference here is that Michikatsu is more intimidating by just standing there and speaking his thoughts. He was always serious.

"Is Kibutsuji-sama illness really a curse?"

Toujirou know his question has can of worms if someone else heard it.
But they are confident that nobody else is here.

After all, they are in the part of palace where priests were told to rest. Private quarters of theirs. Muzan's or the King and Queen quarters are on the other building where the maids and guards are.

Michikatsu acknowledge his honest curiosity but he shrugs.

"Who knows, but one thing is for sure...he will never reach his 20's..."

Even though Toujiro hates the prince who took his precious fire from his flames, he find Michikatsu's word rude. "H-how can you say such things Priest Michikatsu!" Gaining the importance of his job, he lectured the Priest of Moon. "You are a priest! You should be praying instead of-"

Michikatsu still sound so serious, he cuts him off with logic.

"Stating facts? Look, we serve the gods...even if we pray for his health, it is up to the heavens if his body will continue to adapt to his sickness or he might start to crumble...also there is you." Twitching a nerve, Toujirou is getting irate.

"What about me?" Still speaking formally, Michikatsu points at him with more slamming facts. "You are tainted."

Badump...!

"Eh?"

Denying his raging flames, Toujiro chuckles, it was half heart.
"Hmm~hmm~! I don't know what you are talking about-"

Michikatsu steps forward, making Toujiro steps back. "The flame and fire are always close and yet..." even though his face was stoic, Toujirou is frighten of Michikatsu's proud authority. As if he was actually teasing him to the edge... "The torch of fire went away to shed some light to the grey moon." He says in a deep voice, Toujiro's back reached the pillar without effort since he had been standing there while eavesdropping.

"Its not for me to decide."

He smirks. Michikatsu in the other hand had a small confident smirk, it made Toujirou gulp. "I heard it too you know, when they confessed to each other...how romantic and forbidden." Jaw drops, Toujirou can't believe as he was spying the two, he was also being watch on!

He was not alone!

Since Michikatsu said it so lightly without even disturb at the two loving each-other that way.

Toujirou shook his head.

Michikatsu can sense Toujiro's heart is whimpering from such revelation. So he offered his hands for a hand shake.

"What about this Priest Rengoku? Want me to help you seperate them?" Looking at Michikatsu's chilling face. "Because...I myself is interested to become Muzan-sama's personal advisor. But by this time, he obviously won't replace the priest of fire now that they are deeply connected." Michikatsu finally smiled.

But the smile hinted a tease of play.

"Lets make things right...deal?" Was Michikatsu's invitation.

Toujirou understands it now who exactly is Tsukiguni Michikatsu.

Hearing the part where Michikatsu really wanted to be by Muzan's side, even though he previously babysit the spoiled heir.

Toujiro is interested a bit to see how much Michikatsu is obsess for Muzan's attention.

'This person is...not really a priest but a believer of Kibutsuji-sama.'

Wetting his lips, Toujiro decides...

"...that's..."

.

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.

.

Meanwhile inside the priest of fire room.

The two had been kissing and embracing each other until there was no clothes left. They cannot hear anything else besides calling their names to exchange romance.

"You sure I can go in?" Hovering above the prince. Both were exposed. "I want you to do it Sumiko...I'm going to be alright. It may hurt...but, I trust you. You are my priest."

Muzan welcomed his love, he smiles back to the same degree of wanting. "Ok..I will be gentle as much as possible..."

Sumiko entered Muzan's shrine. The shrine was narrow and delicate. Surprise gasp escape the ringing bell. The bell shakes and shakes.

"This sensation!"

He never felt such pleasure in pain.

"Its strange...!"

Grabbing the rope of the bell, The priest gently hush the temple's raging bell.

"Its okay, its okay..."

The fireflies had appeared, the eyes of the innocent is filled with such wonder and excitement. Same time there was fear, for it never seen such many fireflies before. "Mmhh..." The shrine was filling up with offerings, The priest hush again the temple holder.

"You are tearing up, sorry it hurts right? After all you did not have a healthy body for such activity..." the temple holder whose in the shrine, assured that he will trust with the priest whose been counting up and down to his staircase. "No..its okay, I do not dislike it..."

Sumiko decided to snatch the offerrings by his hands. He held them tight for comfort. "Muzan-sama...Muzan-sama...don't let go of my hands okay? We will do it together..." the shrine rings another loud bell as it felt the approaching of end is near.

"Sumiko...Sumiko...burn me more inside...I don't care if I broke...Just dance for me. Dance inside me Sumiko!" The fire had lighten up the torches, the hands claps all over again until Muzan collapses at the bed.

Despite his frail body he was able to withstand making love with the fire that will burn his insides.
No matter how painful it may move in his skin...

Muzan was undeniably happy.

'I thought we become one...I thought the sun and moon can be in the same day. However of course...the reality will always tell you whose suppose to appear and whose suppose to disappear...'

The grey moon had gain some cracks.

Month of December coming to an end, that is how long they had been in relationship or doing things behind the curtains of night, It is morning right now and nobody else were at the temple as the two stand still.

Muzan holds the hands of Sumiko, he swore to him with a very serious confession for everything they had been through.

"Sumiko, I'm glad you have captured my heart. I never had been so happy in my life, I want to live a forever with you. My everything will be yours..."

Sumiko gently smiles as he was massaging the other hands to his.

"Muzan-sama, that is my line." Short giggle of embarrassment,

"...a mere servant like me...though am a priest, but still am a commoner to be by your side and to be love like this is my happiness too." He grinned. Muzan on the other hand suddenly lost his positivism. He stared to his priest before he kneels before him.

"Eh? Muzan-sama-"

To tell him the reality they cannot escape.
Muzan sincerely said as he had cold eyes.

"Forgive me if I will not be here forever. I will be frank...day by day am feeling closer to death." His voice was not breaking, but the way he said it so mature it made Sumiko dive in to take this conversation as something very important.

"Yes...even though I know that, I dont care right now." With a apologetic look, "I'm sorry to fall for you...I'm sorry you fall for me. Our time is very limited." Sumiko closed his eyes to try not to tear up from something he didn't really want to point out.

Muzan felt a little bad, so he stood up and softly told him. "Don't apologize, that's my line." Then Muzan kisses him.

Sumiko whimpers and accepted the kiss from him, tip toeing...liquid made its way to his eyelids. Sensing that the sound was not moaning but an attempt to stop on mourning already, Muzan pulls away and found him all reddish.

"You are crying...?"

Sumiko sniffs as he wipes his eyes from the impending waterfalls.
"I-I'm sorry, I-I got emotional...I'm sorry Muzan-sama, but while you are still alive I want you to see me mourn for you. For I know once you close your eyes and fall into a sleep...you wont hear and see me anymore." Unable to stop them, Sumiko silently cries...tears streaming in his cheeks, Muzan's eyes soften and slowly he embraced the smaller figure.

Burrying his face to his chest, Sumiko sniffing his scent as he sobs. "Muzan-sama..."hugging back tightly. "I need to man up."

Muzan chuckles as he pats his hair and his back. "I don't mind. You are my precious little Sumiko~" Sumiko clawed on Muzan's back, he was savoring such moments while it exists.

Meanwhile Muzan is actually very disturbed, he mentally thought as he tried to rub his skin to the other's warming up skin.
Or supposed to be, yet...

'Ahh...I cant feel his warmth to my flesh. I'm numb again...And his scent, I can only smell half of it...I guess am dying because I age again.'

Muzan may look strong and uncaring, but truthfully he fear death more than anybody else. Muzan cannot help but to blurt out a impossible thinking, he just said it.

"If only my time can stop."

In response, Sumiko just rubs his face to Muzan's pale chest, soaking his kimono or whatever...Sumiko is still sobbing in his arms without any comment at that wish.

Muzan had another dark thoughts.

Everything turned positive to negative,that he cant stop to calculate in his mind where his deep thoughts were always there.

Always hopeless.

'Is it really okay to end it like this...? No, I don't want to be defeated by this feeble life. I don't care what I give and waste...I just need to live. I don't care if I sell my soul to the demon or become the devil himself...To be with Sumiko and everything else I has not obtain. I refuse to disappear like this. I don't want to die...I don't want to die.'

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THUMP! THUMP! BAM!

Drum rolls.

Right now is a meet and greet for all the available priest in the presence of his majesty.

"Thank you so much for praying for Kibutsuji Clan." Says the King and eyed each one of the present guests.

Everyone on their priest robes.

"Priest of Moon Tsukiguni Michikatsu."
"Priest of Water Tomioka Guren."
"Priest of Flame Rengoku Toujiro."
"Especially you...Priest of Fire Tanjirou Sumiko."

If you were not aware, Michikatsu and Guren serves the moon of god. Then the flame and fire serves for the god of sun.
That's how it works.

So today's meeting is not unusual.

The king was delighted to see a lot of force from them, believing is faith. The prayer for good health to come and fortune...that is what the king and queen is after.

"My heir has outlived his 18th birthday. Now what I would like is to appreciate first Priest Michikatsu." The king smiles at him, Michikatsu bowed and thanked him formally. "Your kind words are appreciated too your highness." The king started to babble about their past connection with Michikatsu.

"When our son was an infant...it is you, who appeared and prayed for him to open his baby eyes. When we put him to a funeral box, a miracle happen when you prayed to the heavens to bring him back to life. Truly gods existed...how we wish we could have done it earlier."

Somehow, the king sounded fake. More like he was just afraid of punishment of curse from heavens but disregarding their traditions. If Muzan was not born like this they wont even rejoice the presence of priests.

Coward. They are selfish cowards.

"I too have enjoyed my services during the young master's growing age those times."

Michikatsu have purposely highlighted that since baby as Muzan reached his 12th birthday,he was then replaced by Toujirou's father.
And then after Toujirou's father it was suppose to be Toujirou's honor to take over instead it was Sumiko.

The high priest Ubuyashiki whose a relative of Kibutsuji has taken an interest to see how the young priest of fire can serve.

Guren isn't thinking of anything at all, but he did notice Toujirou is acting weird. Meanwhile Sumiko looked like his head is floating in the clouds,but his eyes reflected happiness.

'They are all strange.' Guren thoughts.

The meeting is just about counselling sessions and what they can have for staying over the castle to keep praying for the king and queen.

When the meeting ended, Michikatsu decided to call Sumiko's attention.

"Priest of Fire."

Turning around, Sumiko bows with respect. "Yes?"

Michikatsu simply walk towards him then had a proper look at his priest outfit. He stared at the red bandana in his wide forehead then it drop to his hanafuda earrings. Sumiko is an innocent fuzzball by the looks,but Michikatsu heard and saw him and the prince had engage such a indecent and immoral relationship.

Without actually revealing that part, Tsukiguni Michikatsu tells him this

"You fire is very tainted Priest Sumiko. You do know we must be kept holy until our duty is over."

Eyes widen, Sumiko couldn't comprehend where did that wild guess came from. It is almost like...this person smelling out his sinful acts.
"E-eh? My apologies...I has no idea what you are referring to Priest Tsukiguni. I'm doing my job properly for praying the prince long life-"

Michikatsu cuts him off by finishing his own sentence.

"You mean by being more than a priest in the prince eyes?"

Sumiko's body trembled at the accusation. Sumiko believes nobody knows...or maybe somehow rumors from maid had spread that plenty of times he and Muzan would go off somewhere then disappear for an hour before they re appear in the castle grounds.

Sweat drops, Tsukiguni Michikatsu is the favorite priest of high priest Ubuyashiki. So Sumiko can smell already he will be toss somewhere.

"You were not careful at all, you know."

He lowered his voice, making Sumiko frighten of his authority. "The prince is still a prince. He doesn't need friends...what he needed is loyal servants." Poking Sumiko's chest. "The problem is, as a priest you must only serve fully the sun god yet you are straying..."

Sumiko finally spoke up to defend his side.

"I know what my duty is! It is to make the prince happy!"

Michikatsu shuts him off.

"Happy, yes...indeed by offering your body~ hm?"

BADUMP...!

Sumiko gasp and covered his mouth. "W-what are you saying?" He tried to keep a lie but his body language failed to save him.

Michikatsu took advantage of it. "Priest Sumiko, I order you to go back in Fujikasane Mountain. You are dismiss." Still denying his accusations even though its true.

Sumiko was pathetic. "Eh...? But Priest Kokushibo what did I do?" Playing an innocent victim. Michikatsu insisted the truth to smack him in the face. To surrender the truth before him.

"You have SINNED. Do not make me say further what kind." Sumiko gripped to his hakama pants but remained silent as hr get scold. "To compensate for it...you have to retrain yourself to Fujikasane Mountains, you will end your duty as the prince personal priest from this day forward."

Sumiko didn't like it so he protested even though he knew it was futile to keep on arguing someone higher than him.

"P-please wait! I do not understand what kind of sin-"

Michikatsu turned his back and said with a commanding voice.

"If you really want to stay as the prince personal priest just go there as said." Glancing a bit to see Sumiko's protesting face. Michikatsu decided to assure him one thing to make the fire obey.

"If you pass the 1 year cleansing you will be back on duty, retrieve the Nichirin Priest sword. I'm not mean or anything...but you can consider this as light punishment."

Sumiko finally catch on the conversation. His guts telling him they must have known.

Since they were awfully close and he cannot deny that reckless closeness to each other every single day.
Glaring at the ground.

'C-could it be...they all notice my relationship with the prince?! That will be shameful to Muzan-sama if his parents find out...'

Frighten they will be both have a public punishment for having such naughty bonding. Sumiko decided to man up and declared an agreement.

"Very well, I will accept my punishment."

Michikatsu did not smirk or anything but he did felt triumphant at this.

"I will go to Fujikasane Mountains, I will retrieve the Nichirin blade. Then...I will return here as a better priest for his majesty."
Bowing, "I sign my words, may you be well Priest Michikatsu."

Sumiko turned his back then runs away from a different direction.
He did not bother to ask who will replace his position to pray over the prince.
Since...it was obvious who will be up for the position.

The original personal priests of his majesty.

"I Tsukiguni Michikatsu will entertain Muzan-sama for 1 year.." talking to himself. "I wonder if you can return before it is too late?" Having a silent glare to the hallway Sumiko has disappeared to. "Priest of Fire."

Tsukiguni Michikatsu has a hidden adornment to his majesty Kibutsuji Muzan.

'We maybe separated but our bodies remember the sign of pleasure beneath the moon. Only then...the smaller moon had joined the stars.'

Chapter Text

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Brushing his long hair that was previously trimmed by his beloved fire. "Hnn, its getting long quite fast? How surprising." They say a cut off hair grows fast when its happy. "I must be very happy then."

Chuckling at the mirror, Muzan's nose suddenly bleeds. "..?!"

Alarmed, "No!" Wiping them right away.

"Calm down...am not dying yet...!" It was early dawn, not aware that during this time Sumiko was sent back to Fujikasane as punishment.

It was a peaceful morning with birds chirping and such. Muzan has no use for his mouth except to let them sealed. There was no one to converse anyway.

He saw one bird who flew and passed by his wide window. Apparently its a sparrow, so tiny yet so lively... 'That sparrow...where is it going to the vast sky...?' Staring at the wonder bird, Muzan had his thoughts. 'It must be nice to go anywhere you want...Will I be able to do that...?'

A little bit tearful, he traced his nose where it bleed earlier. 'Its just blood...small blood. I'm still okay.' Convincing his health in good check.

Knock, knock.

Slowly Muzan turned his head, "Come in." He was not particular to be good mood nor bad mood, but usually knocks are coming from his maids that will have a tray of medicine and breakfast.

However when the door slides open, "Greetings, am the Priest of moon...Tsukiguni Michikatsu." There were two maids with him who the right had some tray of medicine, the left servant is the one who opened the door. The center is a man around 20's. His memories from childhood flash instantly in him. Muzan whose been sitting at his bed, jerks up.

"I know you...! Right, when I was very little you were that priest!" He points at him. Michikatsu simply nods with acknowledgement before he shared with him. "Yes, I was your priest as an infant till the age of 12...how are you your majesty?"

A bit scared that this person will see him nosebleed, Muzan tried to lie. "I-I'm well." Michikatsu already sense it was an act, but he had no plans to disrespect the prince self mechanism. "I do hope that is true. I will always pray for your long life." Awkward silence as Muzan took his medicine and eats his breakfast, the two female servants were eventually dismissed.

Wondering why the priest of moon has not excused himself, he was watching him at his bed as he tried to rest.

"What are you doing here by the way?"

Michikatsu's eyes profound enlightenment when he was ask.

"Oh, if you had not heard am the replacement priest for Priest Sumiko whose undergoing soul cleansing at Fujikasane Mountain." Muzan slams his hands to his bed.

"What!? Why nobody informed me?!"

'Why didn't Sumiko said goodbye!?'

There was a observant pause before Michikatsu run his mouth again.

"I see you will miss him so much, worry not he will come back after 1 year...Also I'm the one who sent him there." When he confess that, Muzan is suspicious of it. "Why are you telling me this? Whats the catch?" Somehow Muzan had a bad feeling why his original personal priest is being too honest with him as if they really have known each-other.

Michikatsu moves forward to whisper it under his breath, in a way for nobody outside the room can hear.

There was a gossip.

"Rumors are spreading."

Muzan lent his ears as they kept not too close and not too far to each other to be heard as both whispering. "Who?" Michikatsu firmly explained his situation. "The king and queen might notice...I did this for your sake Muzan-sama."

Arching an eyebrow, Muzan is aggravated now. "What? I didn't ask for such concern. Bring me back my Sumiko at once!" Demanding the order he cannot have at the moment, Michikatsu tried to sooth with him with a smile.

"Believe me my dear prince, you will be thankful that I sent him there. Your condition is getting worse is it not?" Muzan narrowed his eyes as he kept himself in self-check at his futon. "You seem to know a lot of about the progress of my illness...what exactly do you want to display here... hm?"

Michikatsu doesn't mind the interrogation at all, he was even lighten up. Michikatsu circled around the sitting Muzan at bed.

"Since you were an infant as you grow...I had watched over you, and I will keep on doing so while you are alive." Muzan gain vein pops as he was really getting irritated now.

"How dare you run your mouth that am nearing my death bed!" Only to cut him off shortly. "I see, the king and queen is still lying with the heavens...do you know how I revived you from the funeral box?" Making Muzan silent for a moment, he cant lie that he was curious. "..."

Muzan waited for his next words.

"I took you and made you baptize in the cold water of the full moon. I prayed to the moon of god to make you breath if the god of sun cannot." Sick or not, Muzan can still comprehend despite the headache he is feeling now as the conversation drags along.

"You are saying am a child of moon?"

Nodding at his majesty, Michikatsu stops circling around him as he block the window view where the sun is shining. Giving some powering shadow hovering to Muzan's.

"Yes. Which is why getting attracted and obsess with a priest of fire is an act of betrayal." Shaking his head, Muzan finds it ridiculous.

"Thats not the myth that I know. The moon loved the sun, but the sun didn't like the moon that way. You must have read a wrong book." Michikatsu crouches down as his hands began searching something in his kimono pockets. "I have the rest of the tale pages." There appear a scroll, scrolling them. Muzan gawk his eyes,it was unbelievable.

"W-where you got that?!" An ancient scroll, Michikatsu has the proud smile as he kept himself formal. "I told you, I was your personal priests during those difficult days where you cannot remember quite some of our memories together...here." gently he gave it to his frail palms, Muzan accepted them without a protest.

"Read the rest, then you will thank me, I'm sure of it."

Eyes shaking, Muzan stared at the actual scroll of myth. 'What the hell does this myth had something to do with sending away my Sumiko?! My precious fire!'

Aggressively flipping the pages, the scroll had at least three pages stick together, Muzan stops at a certain dialogue of the myth, reading it out loud.

~"The day would come the the sun of god will stop sharing his fire lights for the moon good. Making the moon gain more desire to turn the red spider lilies into his color liking. It is the lotus flower in bloom of red, turning into a pool of tears."~

It was too deep to comprehend but somehow Muzan guessed what it meant. "You are saying...the more we yearn for eachother, the more we will dig our graves is that it?" Knowingly look to his former priest, Michikatsu averted his eyes amd scans the room.

"If that is how you portray it, I has nothing else to say."

After that, there was nothing else for them to talk about. Ever since Muzan had read the full myth of the Sun god and Moon god. Muzan had become more desperate to keep himself alive till Sumiko comes back.

Meanwhile Sumiko arrived the Fujikasane Mountains...

Before him is a man of moderately toned and muscular body, who is of a notably pale complexion and possessed unusually long, pointed nails that appeared to be stained a pale blue.

His hair could appear either silver or a pale golden blond, and he wore it parted to his left, the shorter parts around his face seeming to flare out to either side around his head, curving backwards with one strand left down his face to fall between his eyes, while the longer parts were left to drape centrally down his back in a thinning spiral. His eyes have been described to be incredibly rare and beautiful as, in color, they appeared to be made up of an array of rainbow pastel tones that fade into one another as they circle his irises.

"My~My Priest Sumiko you really did come!"

A friendly glee, his name was...

"Priest.. Doma of wise-ness."

Doma wore asporting a black cloak, which he drapes around his shoulders, two lengths of purple and black cloth with a rectangular pattern also hanging from it around his neck, as well as a black, crown-like hat which is lined with gold around its frontal plates and has flowing black ribbons dangling from each of its sides.

His paper fan waves elegantly to hide his grinning.

Sumiko in his fire priest outfit with the same red bandana on his wide forehead, he felt creeper out already from the Priest of Wise-ness.

"Hehe~ guess what! The trial for tainted priests is hard you know~ if you dare to retrieve the holy Nichirin blade by gods...Then you wont ever be tainted." Doma teased as if they were close friends or something.

However to Sumiko, Doma is nothing but an obstacle he need to get rid soon.

'To go back to Muzan-sama...'

Baring no emotion, Sumiko said so formally. "I see, Priest Michikatsu already sent you a letter of my retraining." Ignoring how Sumiko was not friendly as what others describes him, Doma nods to himself and visibly overjoyed as he was sitting on a big rock for who knows how long did he wait for the priest of fire to arrive.

"Yep~yep. Look Sumiko, please do not think badly of Priest Michikatsu. He was doing this for our sake...If you didn't knew a tainted priest is stoned to death. But he cares for you that he decided to sign you up for remedial." Sumiko raised an eyebrow in disbelief and curiosity.

"Did Priest Guren signed as well?" Doma beams. "Not only Priest Guren, also Priest Toujirou did!" Sumiko is disturbed. "Eh?"

Doma narrowed his eyes and had some smug, despite the paper fan covering his lips...Sumiko can picture what's the image behind. "I think they signed without knowing what kind of remedial it is...So, let me share you this!" He jumps off from the rock to met him close range.

"H-hey-"

His face zoomed in and whispered to his hanafuda earrings. "Priest Michikatsu, the Nichirin sword in his waist that everyone looks up to...he dedicated his mind,body,heart and soul just to retrieve that. So that no matter how much he sin to be attach from earthly desires...he would never be tainted." Pulling away, Sumiko felt nervous now.

"I-Is retrieving a Nichirin really that...big deal?"

Doma circled on him while fanning himself, the Fujikasane mountains beauty and mysterious surrounds the two at this shrine of trial.

"Oya~becareful on your words Sumiko. You weren't like this before! Very well, how about you start the remedial...see for yourself what it means to be really connected to the gods~! Heehee~"

Sumiko prepared his everything.

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"GAh!"

SMACK!

Right now in an altar, in the middle of the forest inside the Fujikasane Mountains...Sumiko must get 100 whips while keeping the so called concentration to pray to the gods.

The wisteria must bloom, if they do not bloom soon...

Sumiko will have to bare more torture.

SMACK! WHIP! SMACK!

"Ah! Gaah..! Kahh..!" His tanned skinned receiving scars and almost visible blood. Doma is just watching as Sumiko prayed everyday for the suffering to end. In the process of trying to go up and down the mountains to search for the legendary Nichirin.

"Where is it? Come to me...please!"

Gaining a scar in his forehead when a tree trunk hit him hard, "Uagh!" Almost felling to a cliff, nevertheless he was able to pass the remedial by baring all the torture he went through.

'I have to get back to Muzan-sama's side...no matter what the pain,no matter what obstacle...I must pass and get the sword! Then, after that...I can do lots and lots of things with him! I would never be considered as tainted...!'

While that was happening, this is what happening to the other.

"Your medicine is useless!"

CRASH!

"Muzan-sama!"

Kibutsuji Muzan had thrashed around his quarters. The cup shatters at the floor, spilling such precious liquid...his medicine. "Every single one of you are useless! None of you cant even make a proper medicine for my illness...what kind of doctor are you guys!? Get out of my sight!"

He growled and yelled violently, Muzan is in pure rage. "But Muzan-sama you have to know something very important...It is about your lifespan..." says his doctor whose been at his side, sitting with a stiff posture.

Muzan snaps his head to him to glare as he was clutching his head. "Why? How much long would I live?" Impatiently he asks. The doctor gulps down as he slowly opened his mouth to wet his lips and hide his nervousness .

"Your time has...been counted, you won't reach your 20's."

Muzan's vision went black.

The doctor, the two maid didn't see it coming. There was a machete under Muzan's pillow, surely he cant lift that...but somehow he did and attacked the doctor.

SLASH!

Hiding the head. The blood erupts.

SPLAT!

"Kyaah!"

The two maids were visibly horrified, not knowing what to do because Muzan killed his doctor. Psychopathic irises glows and viciously he commands with menace "BE...SILENT..."

The maid shuts their mouth instantly,surprise from his own action but not really regretting it. Priest Michikatsu is shock at the bloody scene as he happen to enter the room at bad or perfect timing.

Michikatsu tried his best to lower his voice despite the fact he wanted to scream and scold the young master.

"Muzan-sama, may the heavens forgive you for this outburst of rage!" Muzan click his tongue as he remained at his bed, shaking his head as he still felt so ill.

"Clean it up, get his corpse out of my sight."

Trying to be cool in order not to aggravate the desperation of the prince about his health. He decided to sweet talk him as the two maids scramble and looked for guards to carry the dead doctor bleeding out in his room.

Nobody can report Muzan, after all he was the son of the cruel king and queen. Did you really thought they were loved by people? No...they are prosperous but in reality some people or some place is suffering by their law. It is something happening yet anyone who spread rumors...those bad rumors which are truth will be punished while pretending to be religious.

"Do you understand now why I sent Priest Sumiko to the mountains? I know your personality Muzan-sama...the side of you that Priest Sumiko must not see. The truth about Kibutsuji Clan..." Michikatsu had run his mouth again, though he was indeed concern. Muzan's body gasps, he haven't heard Sumiko's name for many months.

His eyes starts to glare at the floor as he heard the next sentence.

"That you were heartless."

Calming down...Muzan clawed his hair in his head. "Your'e right.. if Sumiko was here and I did this, I bet he will be very mad and disappointed at me. He was...kind like the god of sun..."

Taking a deep breath, Michikatsu sighs.

"And you were more resembling the god of Moon Muzan-sama...you are cold and heartless. Without any remorse, the joy of life that this mysterious illness has snatched your happiness...it must be very painful."

Some guards just came in and pulled the corpse. Muzan was told to stand up and moved away as his room needs to be cleaned up. Michikatsu kept him in balance with his weakening feet.

Both were at the corner of the room as they watch how the bloodied room is being cleaned.

The two kept mumbling to each other.

"Since you are the priest of moon, let me ask you...is the legend of Blue Spider lilies are real?" Eyeing the guards whose busy. "Yes they are." The corpse was taken out. "How? Have you seen it?" The servants began cleaning. Without a word of advise, Michikatsu gently pulled Muzan to walk with him at the window bay. Having a bit of fresh air they continue to keep the conversation just enough volume for them to hear.

"No I did not, but the flower did exist behind those doors...by opening it is a sin for priests and anybody else who dared."

Muzan who already didn't give a damn from the crime he just committed, he was hasty for more information.

"How bad it is to peek inside?"

Seeing the servants washing the floor with water, Michikatsu deadpans.

"Death sentence."

Muzan huffs, "Seriously? So if I dare...Even as the prince of this country will be executed?" A warning response from the Priest of Moon. "Yes."

Muzan is challenged, he made a sarcastic laugh, the servants whose cleaning the room froze and watch their crazy prince in horror. "Hahaha! Very interesting~" having no idea whats up with them, Michikatsu murmur his response.

"If I were you don't try. If the legend is true you will become a demon..." but Muzan heard it and mocks him as it is.

"You mean, I will become like a god?" Teasingly he dared. Michikatsu was patient and gave him a friendly advise.

"Do not mock the heavens my prince. I know you want to live long...but trust me,immortality is nothing but a tragic story-" only then Muzan yells at the servants who had stop working their asses to listen to their private talk, he threats them.

"WHAT ARE YOU GUYS STARING AT?! CLEAN THE ROOM! GET OVER WITH IT!" Scaring off the servants, they scramble to get a new bucket of water. "S-Sincerely apologies Muzan-sama!" Now they are out of sight, Michikatsu was a bit disturb from Muzan's sudden change of personality from angry to calm ones as he looks back at him to address the question from earlier.

"Now where are we? hm right...Why say that if there was not a single person who was immortal?" Unsure how else to react, Michikatsu cleared his throat as he shared his own point of view.

"To see is to believe, or to believe for you to see...which are you Muzan-sama...?"

Muzan grit his teeth. "Am...selfish. I want to believe it exist, I cannot loose! Not even these doctors counting my life span!" He swore to the sky, the sun is bright now its darkening.

Concern at his treasured prince, he told's him.

"Priest Sumiko will return soon...make sure he doesn't find out."

"Thats obvious thing to do. Sumiko shouldn't know who killed my doctor. Now get out."

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1 year later has completed, Tanjirou Sumiko has returned.

Around this time of year, season..days, months...?

Muzan is now 19 yrs old and Sumiko is 18 years old...

Fresh like the autumn leaves, Muzan jaw-drops at the entrance of his manor..before him. "You...returned?"

Tanjirou Sumiko in his priest robes with arms ready for a huge embrace.

"Yes, Why would I not if I didn't say goodbye?" Running towards him, in the middle of early morning...nobody else is here except two guards at the gates.

"Sumiko...!"

When he embraced the short one, he flinched. "Ow..!"

Having a better look at his face that he has not seen in forever. Behind the red bandana something stands out. Muzan's pale fingers touch them. "Wait...your forehead...a scar?" Yes, a red scar in Sumiko's skull.

Sumiko gently push him away for some space with a shy glee. "Hehe, Had a small accident at the remedial. But I'm fine! How about you Muzan-sama? Have you been well?" Noticing the two guards pretending not to look at them nor listen to their weird conversation.

Nobody should question their friendship.
Or so they thought to convince them...

"Come with me." Muzan pulled his wrist, staggering. "Wait-" Eventually they disappeared and went somewhere a part of the castle where no one is present. Its literally early in morning that servants are busy cleaning instead of strolling. Sure there are guards, but those guards were actually more prioritize to be at the gates and near the King and Queen's quarters.

Pinned at the pillar of a shrine. Muzan is planning to strip him.

"I have missed you my medicine~" Sniffing him as he missed him so much, Sumiko surprisingly struggles. "N-no! Hold up-" when Muzan undresses him partly...it was enough to see some visible changes in his body.

"What the hell is Fujikasane Mountains that your body is full of whip wounds?! Were you perhaps...tortured? By why...?"

Sumiko immediately pulls back his robe and fix his kimono to hide the embarrassment he felt just now.

"E-err..."

He thought it might be good to tell Muzan the truth, so he lowered his voice just to avoid anyone to hear it if they happen to pass-by. "A-actually, I think they noticed our indecent relationship that...instead of stone to death," feeling the gaze from the taller man, Sumiko explained further.

"Priest Michikatsu saved me by sending me off to the remedial. It was painful but.." showing off the sword buckled at his waist, bright and confident Sumiko expose the item to him. "Now that I have this Nichirin blade, it makes me high profile priest now! Meaning I can love you all I wanted!"

Howerver Muzan is making a face and he was silent.

"..." Having a soft smile, Sumiko cups his cheeks for comfort. "Don't be sad." Muzan clench his lips together and his fist were angry. With a faint guilt he was somewhat cursing his self about it. "...I didn't ask you to offer your body like that." Sumiko made a sad frown and is worried for a moment.

"Do you hate my body now? Now that it is ugly and full of scars...?"

Muzan shakes his head and touch his body to feel the scars embossed underneath the clothes. "Of course not. Its just disheartening..." glaring at Sumiko's body, the priest of fire embraces him and said, "...Its ok,physical wounds can heal by time you know~? Hehe," rubbing his face to Muzan's chest. Muzan embraces back.

A few minutes later they gaze on to each other's eyes. Sumiko caress his cold cheeks and ask him with such puppy eyes.

"Muzan-sama can I kiss you?" Blushing from the lewd request, Muzan stuttered as he gave him permission.

"O-ok." From the pillar their bodies absentmindedly travel to find a seat. Right now they were in the balcony, sitting at the veranda, the two were up to no good. They were in love and they both know how sinful it is. Both were just selfish though.

Sumiko pecking his cheeks, his hair, the other hand traveled to his stiffening shoulder. Muzan is a bit nervous, Sumiko maybe a small person but he was manly than him. Muzan may have an adult body but he still has not hit the mature age to be called a 'real man'.

It is funny that he was the girl in this relationship despite how Sumiko looked more girly in terms of beauty and defination of whose handsome.

Muzan is handsome, Sumiko is cute.

Yet Sumiko was always taking the first move. He was more expert and engage. Sumiko knows Muzan's heart is beating rapidly, by just touching him, Muzan shudders on every petting session. Sumiko made him look into his caring eyes to calm Muzan's sensitivity of their relationship.

"Its ok to be selfish Muzan-sama...as long as you are not trampling over someone. As long as...we are not hurting someone...we can do things..." he said. Muzan was hesitant. It was so not like him when he remember the myth Priest of moon made him read.

He had doubts now.

"The heavens is watching Sumiko."

Surprise that the prince would even reason that up when its too late to go back. "Why bring that up now? When I already had my faith in you Muzan-sama,my everything is screaming to serve you for all eternity...I love you..."

Muzan blinks when Sumiko kisses him softly. In response, Muzan's body tense up. 'Sumiko...' closing his eyes, Muzan kisses back. 'How I wish we live forever...with my limited time...I just want someone to be by my side and that is you...the one who took my breath away. My fire in my dying drift woods...'

A cold liquid trailed down, touching Sumiko's nose. He smell it and pulled away from kissing.

"Wait! Your nose is bleeding!?" Muzan wipes them off and points at him. "Its fine! Continue!" Dumbfounded, Sumiko scolds him.

"Theres noway I'd do that-" Muzan flips him over to shut him off, now it made Muzan the top this time. "Shut up! Its just nosebleed! I can move, look!" Sumiko finds this unbelievable. With his back lying to the cold he couldn't get up if the prince sitting above his little body.

"Sheesh why are you so spoiled? I must blame your parents then..." resigning to ignore the nosebleed as Muzan won't drop it anyway. Sumiko closed his eyes and allowed Muzan to assault him.

Continuing to make out with kisses, it just ended with a lovable embrace. "Don't go off somewhere without telling me..ok?" Hugging back and feeling them in his thumbs, Sumiko whispers as Muzan still above him covering him with lonely embrace.

"Same to you Muzan-sama, tell me if its nearing...okay?"

Muzan lied with a smooth smile.

"Of course."

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When night have approached, Sumiko went back to his room as for Muzan...he went to talk to his parents.
In the throne's room, Muzan is sitting properly and well mannered. His parents as we were the same posture.

"Father, Mother...I wont live long as everyone is aware. Therefore heed my last will." He sound so serious that his parents felt intense connection.

"Muzan..."

Muzan scans the room, him at his long curly locks and white kimono, he definitely look like a ghost as day goes by.

"Remember the rumors that me and my priest were too close for comfort?" Muzan stared at his parent's eyes to show off that he isnt afraid of anything. He wont be afraid to explain his actions and everything he had been keeping. "Him and I has no romantic relationship or whatsoever. The reason why were close, it is because I honed him the skills that is wasted on mine. Sumiko is a potential heir for our clan."

Yes, it was a fat lie but partly true.

"What are you saying?!"

His parents gawks and felt ridiculous at his actions.

Muzan cuts them off with a swift authoritative plan.

"There is no heir right? Would you rather allow the Ubuyashiki Clan to take over the kingdom? Of course not right? If so...I hereby recommend Tanjirou Sumiko to be the new king. He has the power to attract people as good company and valuable assets. During the mountains we trained and explore to gather the hearts of citizen. He successfully done that. In terms of leadership he is very agile and not passive. Importantly his read and write history was not bad. In fact we write a poem and he had better work, it has deeper meaning than mine..."

He did not let them cut him off,so his parents cut off the chase. The king coughs and tried to remain calm but visibly disturbed and against it.

"Muzan...We appreciate your effort to find a heir to replace you, but what makes you so sure he has the right to lead? It is true that signing a priest to become an emperor is legal. However we had doubts on the person you want to anoint. Sure he had skills but he is a commoner who happen to be lucky that he became a priest to gain such authority along with his nichirin blade..Only royal blood had to be-"

Muzan is persistent and kept the same tune of voice.

Dictating.

"Did you all forgot he was directly related to the god of Sun? If he sits as a king, the Sun god will shine upon japan. The sun will rise like another new beginning...we will be all bless than ever. See? We had politics and religion as one within Tanjirou Sumiko." Without any signs of lie and hole in his story...his father looks at his wife.

"Hmm...that makes sense, what do you think Seo?"

The queen covers her mouth and politely answered. "Well, your highness I cannot give birth to a new heir and I do not wish our proud kingdom to be under our relative Ubuyashiki." Worried, "They already had the religion in their command, if we give our throne to them that will be the end of Kibutsuji." Glancing to their sick son.

"I see..."

The king nods.

"Alright Muzan, as our son with talent we will believe your judgement. Go ahead and write it in a paper we will sign the contract...to make Priest Tanjrou Sumiko as the entitled heir for Kibutsuji. We will adopt him to us and make a use of his hidden talent that you have hone."

Revealing a paper and a stamp.
Muzan smirks with victory.

"Thank you your highness."

Its already spring, the day is beautiful.

Here at the tempest shrine inside the big land of Kibutsuji empire.
The two were having a date of their own world.

"Lets dance Muzan-sama, Let me teach you the Hii No Kami Kagura dance as you have always wanted!"

Sumiko childishly played with Muzan's hands to invite him on dancing practice.

"O-ok, bare with me."

Twirling and stumbling a bit, stepping on the kimono edges or footing.

Both were happy. "Ahahaha~!"

Sumiko laughs. Muzan's smile drops down as he felt rather dizzy.

"Im sorry Sumiko, but Im a bit feeling..." Muzan had fallen to his knees. "Ugh..." his hands rested at the floor to regain composure or to stop himself from completely lying down the cold ground.

His eyes were shut tight, his teeth were shuddering. His body visibly trembling from an incoming fever. "Muzan-sama!" Kneeling to his level, he pats his shoulders. "Look at me." Muzan was panting, it looks like he was in pain. His bones must be hurting.

"Come on,let me carry you back to your room." He presented his small back, Instead Muzan gaze above the clouds as he rather feel worried. He simply stated facts that nobody can avoid on denying them.

Muzan was cold. "You know I do not live long. What do you intend to stay for Priest Sumiko...?" His throat were dry when he said that, Sumiko remained strong and placed a smile on his tired lips.

Even if Muzan does not see his face directly, if you smile they say your voice will sound happy as well. So he tried to encourage him.

"...Don't let the sorrow consume you. Do not be trap to the same place you had always been. Do not shed more of your precious tears Muzan-sama...move your feet. I will carry you, together lets cry for the future on the edge of darkness."

Eyes widen from such inspirational words. Muzan was touched.

"Sumiko..."

Accepting to be piggy ride by Sumiko.

The priest of fire began walking down the hallway with Muzan on his back. Legs locks on his arms. Sumiko chuckles and tried to make a joke on their situation.

"You have become more lighter!" Muzan did not laugh though, he instead buried his face on the back of Sumiko's neck and commented. "You are indeed strong despite being a shorty." He was still feeling emo about the lame thing happend earlier that after dancing a bit made him too tired to even walk.

"Thank you for carrying my burden Sumiko..." Sumiko did not want to give in the sorrow that he knows had always been there. He tried to sweet talk him, Sumiko did not want to cry.

"Don't say things as if its your last day.."

Muzan murmured in his ears.

"I know, Im just saying while I can still speak...eventually I wont be able to move my fingers soon..." Muzan hugs him tight behind.

"Don't leave me okay?" Sumiko trembling in his lips so silently.

'I know its soon...but please God, I need more time...more time..' as he mentally prayed for Muzan's time to be extended, he had a cheerful lie. "I promise."

Reaching Muzan's sleeping quarters. He placed him down the futon. "Is something else wrong? What do you need Muzan-sama?" Muzan pleaded. "I cant feel my body...I cant feel anything...do something. Im scared."

"Alright, let me massage you."

From his shoulders down to his chest. "Do you feel anything yet?"

Shaking head.

"No. Not yet...I cant feel your palms rubbing to me nor your thumbs. Am really dying now...? Why now, when I just met you...3 years is not enough for me Sumiko...do something...save me Sumiko..."

'This is bad...he isn't responding to anything. I cant punch or slap him to test if he feels pain. I guess I'll do the other way...'

A test that wont physically harm Muzan.

Sumiko decided to change the way of massaging into a sexual way hoping it will gain some impact to Muzan's numb body.
"There? Do you feel anything yet?"

Muzan made a small moan, "Ah!..mmm...I think so, what is this?"

Shivering and attracted. "Im glad you feel something now. You see...I will be doing strange massage to you...is that okay?"

Smiling.

"As long as I can regain the feeling from my body, go ahead. I trust you Sumiko."

Massaging his chest,pinching his nipples. Down the abdomen teasing them with strong pinning of fingers. Caressing his thighs, Muzan is slowly gaining a sense of feeling. He started to feel hot and feel the hands that was been invading his privacy.

Moaning in his bed with muffled voice.

"To...uch me more Sumiko...bring it back, my sense of feelings...take away my numbness please."

"Yes I will, as you wish Muzan-sama..." Sumiko pulled his jaw and kiss him."...Mmh?!" Shock, this was not part of his request. He just said his body was aching and numb. But he never said his lips were...

'Wait. I cannot feel his lips to mine...?' Muzan now realize even his head was numb from any touch. Sumiko looks at him carefully with thirsty eyes. "Its going to be okay Muzan-sama. I will just make you feel more strange...but its your medicine. Okay?"

A weak nod, Sumiko kisses him again and again. Before it turned to hungry kisses. Muzan had never kiss with tongue before. He was alarmed when Sumiko's hungry lips had tap his tongue to him and made them open.

The hot tongue went inside his, finally gaining the sense of sensitivity. Muzan chokes and his body had panic. His arms that he was not able to move earlier they gain strenght to attempt on pushing Sumiko away as he was feeling too overwhelmed with french kissing.

"W-wait...Sumiko-"

Sumiko breaks the kiss. Panting. Sumiko and Muzan both heavily pants. Staring at each-other eyes...Muzan was amaze. "I never felt that electricity shock before...is that a kiss...?"

Sumiko chuckles and wipes the sweat in Muzan's face. He was relief. 'His body no longer cold. Its now warm and sweaty...guess he gained his sense of feeling for now.' Massaging the lips of Muzan with his thumbs. Giggling, "Its a real kiss Muzan-sama. The first time we did its just a kid's play." Evil grinning from the priest.

Muzan is annoyed at his own lack of knowledge of intercourse.

"Well then, we have to continue!"
"What?!"

Muzan pulled him down, his chest landed to his chest and locks his movement to an embrace. "I'm still numb. Make me itch Sumiko...its only you who can bring it back to me~" Hugging back, Sumiko nods. "Ok, don't blame me if you loose your sense of legs later on though~" Sumiko was naughty and sassy. Muzan made an evil grin from the challenge. "Bring it on Priest of Fire~"

One, two, three fingers made their way to the deep well. The well was wet with water. The person who wants to make a wish threw a coin inside. The well was disturbed. The coin echoed in their ears. There were small cry and struggle. But in the end the bucket had arrive and is able to obtain a water from the deep, deep well.

The water they had drink together and prayed for eternity.

Unfortunately it was hitting the time of drought. Nobody will wish at the well anymore.

Nobody can...except death.

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'I had no idea it was the remaining hours of mutual understanding...without knowing it will revert to hate.'

Chapter Text

The bond they shared is like a mere thread. If it snaps...it burns to nothing but full of hatred. The lotus flower soak in red.

In the middle of private launch time. Muzan suddenly coughs. It was a rough coughing, when Tanjirou Sumiko went near him to check, only revealing the palms of Kibutsuji Muzan had droplets of blood.

It was no longer a small amount but spread like a jam.

"What...the hell...?"

Hearing Sumiko alarmed gasps as Muzan remained silent...Sumiko realize that Muzan had been covering up this condition because he didn't panic like he did. He was angry at him, like a bickering mother he scolds his prince.

"That blood...! Since when you were coughing blood!? Why didn't you tell me it was this worse...?!"

Muzan calmly stated facts with frowning eyebrows. "Well you were gone for a year,of course my condition will worsen." Sounds sarcastic as usual however Sumiko slaps his own forehead then grabs to his shoulders.

"You haven't taking your med properly aren't you?!"

Only for Muzan to get irate and swats them away, he even yelled at him."Excuse me! I did! But they were all useless!" Sumiko tried to understand his mood swings with a pitiful look.

"Muzan-sama... Where is your doctor?"

Sumiko actually find it weird that lately no doctor not even nurses would go to Muzan's room for check up. It was odd, but because he himself wanted more private time and engagement with his beloved prince...it kinda disappeared along the way to comment about it.

But now is the perfect time isn't?

"He's gone."

Muzan harbor no expression but his voice darken. Sumiko did feel strange on his weird behavior but he brush it off for another question.

"Ok..but...why didn't you ask for a new doctor?"

Muzan whines, "Come on, if you are just here to roast me for coughing a lot of blood, get out of my sight!" That he ended up screaming at his priest with the most demanding orders ever.

It felt so wrong.

'I did not really point it out but...something about his temperance changed.'

Thinking to confront and to talk about it properly, Sumiko raised his frowning eyebrows with care and disappointment.

"Y-you are hot headed now a days...what happen when I was gone? Why did you change?" Yet Muzan disregarded his feelings of care that he was being mean to him more than ever.

"I did not change Sumiko, you just don't understand the difference of your so called priest life span to mine. You priests wont feel pain while dying, but I do..!"

Hurt from the rejection, Sumiko bowed his head and immediately runs off.

"I...I will take my leave. I don't want to argue when you are coughing blood-" Muzan realize what he has done when he saw small tears escaped Sumiko's cheeks whose obviously scared and hurt from his words and actions.

"Wait! Dont leave me be Sumiko! I said mean things but I didn't meant them...!" He pleads by pulling his wrist and lock him to a desperate embrace.

Sumiko sniffs in relief but felt so melancholy.

"Its ok, I forgive you..." he hugs back to Muzan. "...I just I cannot also take the sight of you coughing violently with blood...am getting scared Muzan-sama." His voice is crying,so terrified indeed and it also makes Muzan's heart in pain.

Gripping at the arms of Muzan's embrace from behind. Muzan bit his lips and rubs his cheeks to his hanafuda earrings.

"Worry not...I still have something for you Sumiko." He whispered with assurance. Wondering what on earth is going on with his mind, he looks up to his eyes.

"What is it?"

Muzan chuckles with a soft and weak smile.

"Secret~ I tell you at my birthday." He teased to peck on his cheeks for a smooch.

However Sumiko isn't happy and felt rather that his precious prince is fading, so he beg him. "Muzan-sama...I need you. Please stay?" It was always a question mark.

Muzan can only keep lying.

"Hehe."

Later that noon, Sumiko stops on his track upon bumping with the priest of flames.

"Ah you have returned." It was an empty greetings from Rengoku Toujiro and Sumiko felt the same.

"Priest Toujiro-san..."

Sumiko can smell some unknown sadness behind the brotherly smile Toujiro has right now. His praised is not in the usual beaming voice of approval.

"I see you passed. Well done Sumiko my boy."

Unable to deny the concern and discomfort, Sumiko dared to ask. "Is something the matter? You look down?" Suddenly Toujiro leaned and grab one of his shoulders to whisper a warning.

"Be careful on the prince...he...he isn't really kind you know."

"Eh?"

Confused, Toujiro boomed in his ears.

"His doctor...is killed."

Startled, Sumiko steps back in process to see the face of Toujiro is gravely serious.

"W-what do you mean killed...? Did someone tried to assassinate the prince!?" Toujiro remained firm on his stance. "No it is the opposite."

"Opposite...?"

The sunset slowly disappeared, the robes of flames flashes to Sumiko's eyes,he realize by then that Toujiro is leaving the conversation hanging. "Never mind. Just promise me you are careful...see you later."

"Wait!"

But Toujiro never looked back. Sumiko thought it was strange. "For a year, I wonder what happen to everybody...? Hm..." because he was in cloud nine, the news about the doctor doesn't really matter as long as the prince is safe.

Sighing a smile for himself, "Never mind indeed. I got to get back to Muzan-sama...!"

When Sumiko went away, this time Toujiro bumped to someone. The blue robe of undine emerge behind the pillars of the darken hallway.

"Priest Toujiro."
"Priest Guren..."

Guren marched forward to confront him.

"About Sumiko...didn't you told Sumiko the truth?"
Toujiro snorts and mocks himself.

"I honestly couldn't." He shrugs, it made Guren triggered and argued.

"It is the chance to separate them why didn't you push it? Am worried about Sumiko's relationship with Heka." Toujiro understood and it is fine for him. "We all know his kindness is temporary if he is capable of killing his own doctor just because it did not go the way he wanted! Who knows until when he will tolerate Sumiko to be this close to him...he is in danger! Kibutsuji Clan are demons in a sheep clothing!"

Guren is very frightened about everything in Sumiko to Muzan's. It is telling him something will fall off soon and Toujiro get it.

"I know, I feel the same...however, How can I say the truth to Sumiko if he was this happy?" Toujiro forced a painful smile that Guren felt bad.

"Toujiro..."

Toujiro though passes by him to make a wish beneath the stars in the night.

"If there is next life...I would like to be closer to him than how we used to be close. No matter what crime he does...I wish to forgive it."

His wish surely will be delivered in next decades if he is reincarnated as a human.

Days passed the time is near to broke, Muzan's condition had worsen to the point he was very bedridden now. Sore body, very pale skin and eyes...very thin fingers. The life of Muzan is being drained by his illness and it pains Sumiko with such agony.

Muzan thought it is time to confess his surprise for his priest.

'The last thing I want to do is...'

Breathing, "Ahh~, its June 2nd already...I can't get out of my bed anymore...You know, the truth is..I will die soon...I won't reach my 20's, says my doctor. That is the secret I was telling you when you were gone for a year."

The priest of fire over reacted at something so visibly obvious.

"What?! But...But that cannot be...! Because I..."

Faint...how faint and fragile.

Sumiko knew it was coming anyway, but now it is happening in front of him and he cannot stop himself denying this truth. 'No...it's finally happening...I will...loose him..!'

Frustrated teary eyes as the priest clenching his teeth and fist,hating this weakness and reality.
Meanwhile Muzan with drained eyes, weakly called him. He cannot even lift his hands nor finger tips to caress the other's red cheeks.

"Sumiko, do you love me?"

There was a surprise pause before the latter was a bit angry at his dumb question. "Yes I do...Muzan-sama, why do you have to ask that? Isn't obvious...?" He had a cracked up smile.

Muzan smiles back and technically looks really dead soon. His long curly black hair spread in bed and they look dry. Everything about him is like a drought.

"I'm glad to hear it so many times..." blinking a little, "Yes, I love you too." He was suddenly not smiling, it was rather pleading face, he continue to gaze above his hurting fire. "Now heed my favor. I want you to carry on my dreams...my will." He specified and continued to speak with all his remaining strength.

"Reach the top for me, travel the whole japan...conquer them all...become an important person. Surpass me, surpass this useless me who the heir of japan failed to achieve. I already ask my parent's to make you their heir. At these time of era priest can become an emperor. You see, my mother cannot give birth anymore, So I proposed to get someone who serve the gods...I choose you as my replacement,my father already agreed to my proposal."

It was not a last will to Sumiko's ears. It was like an order,force to accept it.

Sumiko so pissed off. "What? You can't just selfishly decide for me to be a king or an emperor of something! You can't do this to me...!" Gritting his teeth further, Muzan chuckles. Muzan hushed him.

"Shhh~ that is my last will and my command. You do not have rights to deny them. The contract is signed...Now go...There is nothing left for us." However Sumiko declared something ridiculous.

"No. I will find you a cure!"

Dumbfounded Kibutsuji Muzan is struck with his stupidity and delusion.

"Huh?" Sumiko continued his stubbornness declaration. "I swear in my family's name...! I swore...in this fire of life I had burning for you...Muzan-sama...you won't die...!" Hearing the words of hope and encouragement, Muzan finally cried.

His eyes produced tears as he sounded so hopeless and betrayed by life he tried to cling so much. "Sumiko..." he was whimpering in his death bed. "I...really don't want to die! I dont want to die! There are so many things...so many places I want to do! To go there in the sun without holding back!"
He admit it with such desperation.

Sumiko took his hands and comforted them with a serious promise that almost sound impossible.

"I will save you Muzan-sama. Please wait for me...!"
Muzan continued to whimper in pain...

Behind the doors, the priest of moon were eavesdropping and whispered to himself.

"A love that won't last."

After that willful promise, Tanjirou Sumiko begun to work when the midnight had approached.

He was praying at the shrine with a fire in his eyes, as he literally facing a torch with orange fire right now to produce light.

From a kneeling position he stood as he was done praying. 'Kami-sama...forgive me.' Determination etched to him, his long red ponytail swayed at his movement to leave the shrine...to abandon all the holy things be was trained with.

Nothing but the illegal fire of love that burns within him, for one man.

That he wont expect to be his worst enemy and downfall.

"I has to do something. The forbidden blue spider lilies...the legend says they can make someone immortal. That is why it was never been shared its seed to others...!" It was the last resort, if the legend exist,it wont hurt right?

And so Sumiko went his way to the shrine of moon to open the forbidden door.

There were no guards as it was not needed, after all nobody would dare to approach it due to the scary myth.

Looking to the left and to the right... 'Alright coast is clear!'

Sumiko told himself, "Let's do this."

Pushing all his force to open the door it won't budge.

'It's stuck...?!'

Wondering how else to enter, his eyes landed to his un used sword.

'Oh...the Nichirin blade...'

Unsheathing the sword and revealed it's sharp black blade, he stab it in between to push the door open. "Grrhh...!"

'Please open! Muzan-sama has no more time left...!'

The time is ticking, it is already 10 pm...according to Muzan or what the doctor, said he will not reach his 20th birthday.

Meaning...

'If morning comes...he will be dead by then! I won't allow it...! Never...!'

CREAK~!

Hearing the budge.
'I-It moved...!'
Pushing the big door with all his might.

"...!?"
Loud gasps.

"This is..."

Reveal a sanctuary of blue spider lilies with the rays of moonlight directed to it in the lonesome room.

"It really exist...!"

Scanning the whole room with his curious head, Sumiko realize he has no right to appreciate the magical garden.

'Wait, this isn't the time to be amazed or anything...I must hurry!' Immediately, Sumiko made his way to the blue mystical flower field. Plucking one to three flowers.

A voice echoed behind him.

"Whose there...?"

"...!?"

His body tense up as he didn't expect another person is here. 'N-no...i-it's over, I had been found...I..I has to fight...?!' holding tight to the nichirin blade case, taking a deep breath for the worst scenario. He is up to fight rather than beg.

However the voice of the man specified, "Sumiko...?"
Well he did not recognize the voice at first since his head is too focus to save his treasured person, but now hearing it closely he knew it is someone he knows.

'D-don't tell me...?'

Sumiko's heart panics as he slowly turned his head behind to see...the water dragon.

"P-priest Guren?!"

Guren did not step inside,he was just by the door way wearing some painful disappointment lured towards him.
Guren didn't drag the conversation, he told him directly without any delay.

"You will die! You know this is wrong. Throw that flower you pluck before it's too late...!" Guren says in a very deep commanding voice but faintly you can hear as well his fear for his actions.

Choosing to be stubborn for love's sake.

"No. I wont let this hellish life predict our future. I'm sorry!" Sumiko rans off with the blue spider lilies in his hands.

Guren's eyes widen in shock and betrayal. Only then he knew the love of Sumiko was deep as the ocean.

But same time it will become a pool of tears.

Mocking nobody, Tomioka Guren closes the door of the moon shrine to hide the evidence that it was even opened.

"Ridiculous..."

Sumiko has completely disappeared from his eyesight just like that. Guren silently rested his back to the cold door and prayed in his stressed mind. 'Kami-sama I will protect Sumiko as long as I can but...why do I feel like I failed already the moment I did not chase him?'

Feeling so wrong and distant, Guren had small tears that escaped his eyes. A type of emotion that is rarely seen to someone who had the usual cold eyes.

'If I had next chance...I want to...save him and spare him...in next life.'

Little bit he knew, he still had chance to redeem himself indeed in the next life.

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Burning the flowers to become liquid,finally it melted and Sumiko arrives back Muzan's room 11:45 pm...

"Drink this...!"

He presented a cup of medicine with strange color blue liquid. Muzan at his death bed tried to roll his eyes. "Stop day dreaming."

Sumiko snaps, "Just drink it! It is a blue spider lily..since ancient times it has the power to overcome death...! Don't waste my effort! Once you are healed, let us go somewhere far...because...I...!"

Shock to hear that the forbidden door was been opened just like that. 'So it does exist?' He did not see the flower itself but if Sumiko says it is the mystical blue spider lily, Muzan cannot believe his eyes and ears that the priest of fire loved him this much to the point of...

"Don't tell me...you cross the line for me?" Somehow he was feeling sorry but same time he was feeling grateful that such act is natural to someone who had been bringing a fire to his cold life.

"Yes I did." Sumiko warns, "I will be sent to death if they found out. Of course they would...Priest Guren found me. He let me off the hook but who knows how long he will be silent." Having a little bit terrified smile, he pushed the cup of medicine to his lips.

"Live for me Muzan-sama. Please be with me." Sounding so broken and needy, Muzan responded his request by starting to weakly sip the edge of the cup.

Gulp, gulp...

Until Sumiko's gentle hands raised his back to have a sit and get a proper consume of the liquid.

Gulp,gulp...gulp.

Now that it was empty.
Muzan's mind felt so fuzzy.

Seeing the emotionless face, Sumiko tug his shoulders a bit as he held Muzan's spine with support. "Muzan...sama?"

BADUMP!

A sudden rush of blood lust invaded his blood veins.

"ARGH!" Arching his back, Sumiko was scared that he might have failed!

"Muzan-sama?!"

'W-what is this...?!'

Badump,badump.

His curly long hair rose up, his teeth gain fangs, his dead finger nails gain color and expanded like claws. Especially his eyes from dread amethyst had transformed to plum cat eye irises!

BADUMP...!

"Arrghhh...!"

Clutching to the ground like a wild beast getting electrocute. Sumiko cried and doesn't know what to do. "No...M-Muzan-sama...?"

The pain was unbearable, but slowly Muzan felt the peace...the pain of being weak had been replaced by such strength!

Badump...!)))

His transformation stops.

Before Sumiko is a reborn Kibutsuji Muzan.
Beautiful and glowing like a fallen angel.
Sumiko is speechless that the myth was real.

Muzan whose not able to stand and dying in bed is now standing with such firm and healthy stance.

Gawking at his own body that had gained some power. Muzan first notice his finger nails were blue and sharp...his tongue rolled and felt some fangs.
Gazing down at the silent Sumiko who look a bit terrified, he was worried at some point that something is wrong in his appearance.

"Why are you making that face? What happen to me?"
Sumiko stutters at his words as his eyes trembling,slowly he points at him. "Y-you...change...um."

Muzan click his tongue and ordered him.
"Where is the mirror?"

Sumiko snaps out of shock and quickly grab the mirror. Shoving it to the prince's face, they both realize by now what just happen.

Muzan couldn't say anything as he was busy touching his own face and staring at his brand new irises that resembles a cat and the color of blood glowing in it.

Sumiko held the mirror as he shook his head.

"A..demon...huh, So it was true after all? I made you not human..."

Noticing that Sumiko felt sorry rather than happy, Muzan removes the mirror in his hands and tug his shoulders for comfort.

"...Sumiko,this is..." however then, Sumiko bows himself and proposed.

"I-I bare responsibility! J-just...tonight under the moonlight let's leave this place!"

Still shock at this phenomenon.

Muzan cannot believe his ears at all. They used to be almost deaf but now...

'My ears are tingling. I can hear almost everything even Sumiko's nervous heartbeat.'

Deciding to ignore for now his weird transformation when it comes to his six senses, "Sumiko...you mean..we are going to..." Sumiko took his hands,he was serious.

"Yes,let's travel and conquer the world together Muzan-sama."

Muzan thought he would cry with happiness instead his eyes simply widens as he hear some running footsteps.

"Muzan!" Suddenly his parents barge in his room. His mom was frantic if he was already dead as his father had a solemn expression.

However, "Son...?!" Surprise to see he was alive and kicking...rather he look strange. Muzan is also surprise to see his parents come to his room once in a while. "Mother...Father...?"

"Y-you are not dead? Was the doctor is wrong...?"

His mom slowly went to cup his cheeks with care.

"You are cold...and..." loud gasp. "Y-your eyes!?"

Muzan quickly pushes away himself, "stop!" There was a small fear to him that he was gonna be called a monster or whatever. Its just...somehow, 'My mom smells so nice...' Little bit he knew he was getting hungry to a human flesh. The king looks down at the floor where Sumiko is. Sumiko noticed and quickly prostrate himself.

"Y-your highness!"

Wondering why the cup is on the floor shattered and this priest is here with their son that suddenly can walk and had unusual glow of hair,skin and definitely weird irises that were not human.

"What happen here...?"

Sumiko gulps down as he couldn't answered. "U-um...err.." Muzan decided to change the topic. "It is not important Mother, Father. I had outlived my 20's. I can be normal from now on...!"

There is proud voice of their son.

The king and queen stared at each other before they decided to accept the situation without more questions.

"Right,now you are alive it is a feast!" His parents rejoice. Muzan whispered under his breath as Sumiko remained at the floor.

"Later night, let's meet at the shrine then."

A nod sound, Sumiko left to give space for Muzan and his parents.

'Now that am immortal. I can do the things I want...with Sumiko. I feel such power in my body, a strength I had never experienced before. Fantastic...!'

The whole day was greet and praise for the heir to be alive on his birthday. Lots of food to eat and yet Muzan did not feel hungry yet.

He was too fascinated on his new body, that he did not have time to taste the food and tried to eat. Not at all!

Though there was questions how his eyes changed...since he was the prince,nobody had the rights to speak their thoughts.

Especially regarding the murder of his personal doctor...anyone knew they can be next.

Not that the latter knows his priest, he was kept in darkness.

Muzan had not went outside at all since he was busy spending time with his family, also he was groomed as a fresh start.

His hair had been tied up like a proper future emperor would look like.

His previous long dark curly dried hair is now covered properly above his with sokutai's bonnet.

As if he is nowhere near your league to be close.

Muzan's royalty is now visibly seen and bragged out. He was smiling like a smooth criminal would be, polite and bossy that's how he was.

Sumiko and Muzan has not seen each other after the early morning where he had transformed. But both knows what to do once everyone goes to sleep. Sumiko and Muzan planned to leave everything to live together.

Since a party is going on, in the priest quarters though...

"Here Priest Toujiro, drink."

Toujiro was drunk by Priest Michikatsu who actually saw Guren had let Sumiko escape from the last's night event.

When he followed the priest of fire he heard the conversation part where the two planning to leave.

Michikatsu left immediately, so he was not aware that the prince had become a legitimate demon. All he thought he was cured when the news came that he was still alive. About the fact a feast of party is still on going...all of it, it made the doctor's life estimation for Muzan as false.

'I should be the one close to him. After all am the first to sacrificw my everything for this nichirin blade. In order not to be tainted. Yet the priest of fire will just take it all away like this...I must do something.'

Michikatsu didn't like the idea of the two leaving everything behind so he put some weird drug to Toujiro's cup and spread poison in his ears and head.

"Tanjirou Sumiko stole the Blue Spider Lily so that he and the prince can live together. Will you allow that?"

When Toujiro heard it, he was not able to control his jealousy as the drug takes effect. The flames had been indulge by blazing wrath.

"Sumiko my boy...is mine..."

Meanwhile Sumiko who had been hiding in his room,ignoring the party and waited for it to end.

"Alright."

Sumiko already packed his stuffs, "I'm so sorry everyone..." Closing the door of his room, Sumiko went ahead to the shrine where he and Muzan will meet up.

It's very dark right now, it was weird how the stars were not here to give light, while the moon is covered by some clouds.

Sumiko cared nothing at all as he is careful not to make a sound in his slippers until-

"Sumiko...why?"

Badump...!

Turning behind, he saw the priest of flame Rengoku Toujiro with a weird look.

'Is he drunk...?'

Trying to dismiss him with a smile. "H-hi, you are awake Toujiro-san? Shouldn't you be sleeping? Hehe!"

Sumiko isn't really good at lying, however Toujiro is drunk and is under the influence of drugs that he violently took Sumiko's wrist.

"Come with me!"

"W-what?! Wait!" Trying to break free, it was too strong for Sumiko to get released. "T-Toujiro-san!?"

"Sumiko you are mine."
"...aaahh!"

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Kibutsuji Muzan alone in his room,he already said good night to his parents.

GROWLS~

Muzan felt his stomach growled and he touch them. "Am sure now healthy and alive yet..none of the food at the feast made me interested to eat. Strange..."

Having a small smile, "Finally...like the bird I saw, I can go anywhere else..."Glancing at the moon that is still blocked by the dark clouds, Muzan is not afraid to play with fire.

"Me and Sumiko will..."

...

"Sumiko...?" Reaching the shrine, the priest of fire is nowhere to be seen. "Sumiko?" Looking around him was nothing but darkness. "That is weird. Did he fall asleep and forgot our meet up?" Shaking his head. "No he wouldnt. Sumiko is always hard working-"

Then a voice boomed behind his ears.

"Muzan-sama."
Alert, Muzan growls at his stalker.

"Priest Michikatsu!?"

"I see you had become a demon by those eyes of yours. I accept it."

Not even realizing something was off, Priest Michikatsu walk towards him and said.

"The priest of fire won't come here. He is with the priest of flames right now."

The next of his words were muted.

Muzan is in denial. "That cannot be..."

...kring)))

"Arghh...hahh...stop it!"

That night Sumiko was kidnap. Muzan waited but Michikatsu came to get him and said Sumiko went to Rengoku Toujirou's place that he will spend a night with him.

"Let me go Toujiro-san! Muzan-sama is waiting for me...!" Toujiro was so strong that his wrist cannot even escape.

Toujiro's eyes were lustful and crazy, but his voiced remained same yet angry. Sumiko couldn't understand why he was in his room instead by now...he should be at the shrine escaping with his prince.

"Forget about the prince! Why? why would you go this far...! What have you done..!" Not understanding Toujiro's whiny mouth.

Sumiko headbutts him. "I SAID LET GO!"

BONK!

"Urgh...!" Collapsing at the floor,Sumiko grab his belongings. "You are drunk or something...! I'm going to excuse myself-" Then his legs were pulled making Sumiko fall flat to the ground. "Gaahh!"

Hitting hard the floor. Sumiko couldn't get up. "Ow...?" Then he felt someone crawled above him, he faced him. "Toujiro-san!?"

"Shut up!"

Toujiro forced him to make an eye contact that Sumiko frozen in place when he heard him.

"If you don't spend the night with me...I will tell them you stole the blue spider lily. You will be thrown to death sentence and you will never be with Kibutsuji-sama. Is that what you want?"

Fear...intense fear made its way to Sumiko's veins that his anger and tough personality from earlier had become submissive. He begs to him. "No! I will do it! Just please, please...do not tell anyone...promise me you will let me go after this night!"

Toujiro whose unfortunately still under the drugs didn't knew he was being a demon to his lovely fire. "I keep my words."

The darkness is still wide spread. Rengoku Toujiro forced to make out with Sumiko, Sumiko was indeed blackmailed to say love to priest of flame.

Huffing breaths.

'If...If I do not please him...he will destroy my chance to flee with Muzan-sama...! But.. but why is this happening...? Is this the real Toujiro-san? Did I miss anything? What the hell happen in a year of my absence...?!'

"Oww...!" Toujiro gives him rough kisses,bites in his chest, Sumiko's body still remember the whip in his flesh that happend in Fujikasane. They felt similar. He was kissed multiple times, and he allowed the force to invade his mouth that should only speak dearly of his prince.

'T-Toujiro-san...he is wild.'

The robes of flame in the hell were furious and hungry. He will be burned to bones, his heart may not be able to take it.

'He is...he is gonna enter me...!'

Unable to fight because of what may happen, Sumiko decided to end it. If it is something to make the other behave and not be so rough...actually violence is the least Sumiko want to see further.

He moaned and whimper with white lies.

"Y-yes it feels good Rengoku-san...go deeper...please seed me up...mm..T-Toujiro..san...ahh...!"

"Really Sumiko...? It is good?" Sumiko notice the change of behavior to Toujiro's assault on him. 'G-good...he is calming down...I can escape soon..!' Baring the love that he won't response back, Sumiko silently had tears and muffled his acting up body.

Then again he must say something that the flame wants to hear.

Pleasure and love.

"Tou..jiro..san.."

"Sumiko, Sumiko...I love you. I want you...why him and not me...? Why..? Why...!"

Sumiko finally realized that he had trampled someone by choosing to be happy and yet. 'There is nothing left to love...not a single drop...' were his thoughts for the priest of flame. 'There is nothing to look back.. I just have to move forward...'

The fire and flame were heating up and burning down the whole room. Behind the closed doors,outside someone is actually listening...

"What...?"

It was no other than Kibutsuji Muzan. His sharp ears were not mistaken to hear pleads, moaning's, smelling the scent of sweat and saliva.

Muzan is furious. It only worsen now that he was a demon...his original self that is easily jealous and short tempered went to the next level.

He himself poisoned himself by creating toxic thoughts. 'Sumiko is...doing this with Priest Toujiro?! Unforgivable! He lied to me...he cheated...no he did not cheat, he technically lied to me! He will pay...!'

Making Muzan so angry that he decided to sold Sumiko about who stole the flower. He knows the outcome yet the devil thoughts had been upper in his head. Irrational thoughts had consumed the no longer humane Muzan.

His real colors are being revealed.

'The moon is very ugly at this dark hour...I won't allow anybody to dump me like this!'

Muzan walked away looking so thirsty and hungry. His demonic eyes glowed in the dark hallway and found some prey.

"Am very angry and hungry right now."
Everything went red.

.

.

.

The morning came, they were naked and Sumiko knows Muzan is no longer there at the shrine. 'Why am making out with this asshole...? I was been defiled. Muzan-sama will surely hate me...but no,he loves me right? He won't betray me right...? I'm sorry if am not able to make it to our meet up...'

All he can do is sob.

Near the closed door of Rengoku's room, Tsukiguni Michikatsu is satisfied. 'Muzan-sama is mine...I'm the one who will be at his side...from now and forever. I love him more than you do.'

With that quote in his head he went away...to go where the broken heart Muzan is sulking in his room.

It was all a set up.

Later after the morning dew of restless...

"Prostrate yourself criminal!"

"Ugh!"

Sumiko was abduct to Muzan's feet with the king and queen.

"U-um...?" Sumiko who is just trying to recover from his failure, in his priest clothing, he ponders why everyone is glaring at him. Especially the king and queen, what is more questionable Muzan in his prince outfit doesn't even do an eye contact.

He was planning to explain to him later...but what is this?

"Are you sure son it was him?" The King asks. Even though Sumiko should be bowing,he dare to lift his head to see the prince's face.

The next thing he heard is a horrifying confession.

Muzan said it himself.

"Sumiko took the blue spider lily."

"Eh?"

"He was the one who turned me into a demon."

The king was furious at him.

"What?! How could you priest Sumiko? Explain yourself...! Is that why you were at his room? Is that why...a cup was shattered, you fed him such thing?!" Not really following why he was suddenly under interrogation, here at the court of all his majesty presence.

Sumiko panics in response.

"No! I...I saved his life, that's all..!"

However he was shock that Muzan spoke again with a dark voice.

"By what? Turning me to a man eating monster?"

Not really following what the hell is going on, why he was forced to get out of his room to be tied and forced to kneel to the ground, called as a criminal. "What do you mean...?"

'Why is Muzan-sama doing this...?'

"Your highness!"

All their heads turn to the owner of the voice. "Priest of Moon!" At the throne door way, Michikatsu is there entering the premises. "Muzan-sama had eaten three servants last night. It was cleaned already."

Sumiko is so confused. "What? Muzan-sama eat...?"

Sumiko did not hear any news about some bloody stuff actually happend while he was spending a night with Toujiro and the fact that he has locked himself at his room after.

Who would have thought Muzan has eaten something he shouldn't.

'Is this why am being questioned...? They realize he was a demon..wait meaning...he ate...'

"My apologies, I was so hungry. I couldn't stop myself to eat them. The food I used to eat, they taste awful in my taste buds...maybe because of the medicine 'blue spider lily'...just like the myth. I have become none human but in exchange I outlived my deathbed."

Says Muzan while mesmerizing his own pale palms.

Intently with puzzled face Sumiko watches on him. 'Why does he feel like a stranger? What is this nightmare?'

Badump,badump.

His anxiety raised when the he queen cried in anger.

They were blaming him for whatever Muzan had done after becoming a demon.

"To think the priest of fire forced you to drink such thing! Myth or not!" The king followed with frustration and felt betrayed. "He had no rights to take advantage of your illness just to prove that these demonic flowers exist! Now look at you! You cannot eat normally...anymore!"

Muzan simply nods without batting an eye as if he didn't care yet it contradicts his words. Sumiko was hurt when he heard him say it so lightly.

"Indeed Father. I was careless."

Not able to keep his temper in check, Sumiko finally spoke even though he knew it was not his turn to speak yet.

"Huh...but didn't we agreed...? You drink the cup because you wanted to live right...?" His voice was shaking. "I mean.. what is wrong with you? Muzan...sama?"

His honesty is something that makes Muzan twitch. 'Pretending not to know his sin! I will make him confess it!'

This was all because he wanted to expose Sumiko's dirty fire with flame. Muzan is childish and highly in demand for apology. However little bit he knows...that Sumiko had no choice during the night of moonlight.

He misunderstood everything that leads them to broke apart.

Acting stoic and innocent of the crime of willingly drinking the medicine, "I don't even know what you are talking about priest of fire," an evil idea crossed his mind. "Also priest of flame and priest of water are his partner in crime."

Sumiko crosses his eyebrows and grip his fist. He want to roast the prince for inventing stuffs! 'Why is he acting like this? Who is this monster in front of me? Why the hell he is different...not just his appearance... everything is...evil!'

It kinda sinks in to him now why Muzan is like this. Maybe because he didn't show up at the promised moonlight escape. But then again, this isn't right... 'What no...it wasn't Toujiro, it was actually just Guren-san-'

"Here they are your majesty!" The guards yelled and throw the respective people whose also needed to be judge.

"Ugh...!"
"Hmmpp..!"

"Toujiro-san?! Guren-san!?"

They were also forced to prostrate at the floor and their hands are tied behind just like Sumiko's bind wrist with rope of trial.

Toujiro seems to be out of it as he stared at the flooring looking so confused. Guren sealed his lips and had sweat drops in his forehead, for he obviously knows who took the blue spider lily...he look so nervous.

Tanjirou Sumiko couldn't understand who else sold their names except the one he made consume the said blue spider lily.

Frowning at Muzan, Muzan stared back with his plum irises narrowing. Sumiko shot some glances to Guren and Toujiro, he took a deep breath before he let out his pained self to be exposed.

"How can you tell them...?" His throat is trembling with hidden anger until it was loose. "Did I not told you they will kill me if they found out?" He venomously spats. "You...traitor...!"

"Silence him." It was Muzan's heartless commanding voice.

SMACK!

"Uagh!" Getting smack hard in his face...Sumiko in the process has bit his lips and it bleed. He clawed his nails to his palms as his wrist were tied up.

Sumiko realize something that he thought he finally understood everything.

'I made a wrong choice...is the heavens punishing me for loving...' By what is happening now, Muzan didn't love him it seems. I mean, if Muzan loves him...just because he did not show up at the said meet up can make Muzan sell him like this.

'What the hell is this mean...? I was used...? I was lied to...? Is it because he is now a demon? No...I heard rumors how evil Kibutsuji Clan is. I did not believe it because of Muzan-sama...Yet now I see the picture, I see the mistake!'

Gazing at Muzan without fear, Muzan no longer display any affection.

'Did he...just used me?'

The fire ignites of hurt and anger.

"Because of the weight if you three had sin! You have to be sent to death!" The king announces.

Yet priest Michikatsu spoke. "Wait up your highness! I suggest we lock them all up and make them repent."

Bewildered the king is, "What are you saying priest of moon? They made my son a demon! Now he must eat people..! Do you have any idea how hassle that is? Our poor son had become a monster!"

Muzan tried to hide his offended feelings and spoke. "Nice idea priest Michikatsu..." evil grinning. "I would like to see how priest Toujiro will survive torture. How priest Guren will survive hunger and thirst...especially how a traitor like Tanjirou Sumiko will stay sane from isolation in prison~"

It was sadistic, Sumiko gasps and is triggered with more anger.

"Why does priest of flame and priest of water needed to be involved?! They know nothing!"

He thought to protect his seniors, yet Guren spoke, he was braved making Sumiko gasps and touched. "Yes I saw it!"

Sumiko is too shock that Guren will try to protect him with his life on line...so that he won't suffer alone for the punishment.

"B-but priest Guren...?"

Guren pledge. "Heka, you wouldn't had become a demon if only I stopped Priest of fire when he took it...therefore am guilty as well. However..." eyeing Toujiro whose still out of it.

"Priest of flame has nothing to do with what happen. I do not understand why he is here to be punish with us."

Muzan click his tongue and yells at him making his mother and father surprised.

As if there is something else...its like Muzan is annoyed not because he was a demon, but because he wanted to punish some people he simply dislike.

"Be silent priest Guren! I decide whose at fault from my demonification! If I say priest Toujiro is guilty he will be guilty!"

Glaring at his parents, they squeaked as his eyes became dark like a cat's threatening eyes. "Throw them now at the prison! Out of my sight!"

LOCKED...

Tanjirou Sumiko's head is full of questions and pain.

His priest robe was stripped away from him and got replaced by worn out white kimono. Almost naked like a slave, Sumiko cried in his hands and blamed himself.

"I have given birth to a demon king...!" Crying silently and feeling his own human heartbeat regretting all his actions.

The love he has for the prince had been replaced by hate.

"How could you do this to me...Kibutsuji Muzan?"

The priest of fire spent his days in prison, as the other two were also thrown in to their own cells.

The hanafuda earrings began to count ways to kills the demon he had created.

Even if he goes to hell for it.
Even if he...becomes a demon slayer.

'Since when...love is a mistake?'

"Aauughh!"

Is Toujiro's scream when he was being tortured while tied up in a chair.

They were breaking his bones.

"Stop it please! Toujiro-san has nothing to do with Guren-san and I violation against the Blue spider lily...!"

The king and queen is watching, also Muzan too.

At the center, Sumiko pleads to him who is also tied up in a chair.

They were all tied in a chair while receiving their own torture. Like Guren at his left side having a bucket of water splash on him as he get slapped if he falls asleep.

"Please don't do this Muzan-sama...! You and I both know we agreed to consume the Blue Spider lily! So why are you saying that I violated this and that...? Why are you acting like a demon!?"

"Bad mouthing the prince! Pay!"

SMACK!

"Aah!"

Sumiko got whipped.

Somehow Muzan who no longer feels any empathy, had a small twitch of fingers.

'He was right, I agreed to taste the medicine however...' still his nonsense jealousy for Toujiro and Sumiko's make out is there.

He was unable to think clearly...pride and childish ness, Muzan kept the lie and the act of being a victim.

"Take Tanjirou Sumiko back to his cell."

Muzan asks his mother and father. His parents are actually doubting if their son is still their Muzan. Eversince he consume human meat, he feels so strong and detach as days go by.

Afraid it will anger their son they comply to his spoiled wishes.

"A-alright then."

With the king commanding the guards to throw Sumiko back in prison.

It was time for Muzan to confront him.

"You...liar!"

Is the first word in Sumiko's beaten lips, without his red bandana his scar in his skull during his accident in Fujikasane is very visible. His hanafuda glimmers and danggles on every angry movement he makes.

Muzan did not feel sorry instead he crouch to his eye level with hate. "That is my line..." lifting Sumiko's chin as he was in the opposite side of his prison cell wooden bars. Sumiko is disgusted from his touch. "You said you loved me yet you were doing something dirty behind my back."

Sumiko whose too angry to realize that Muzan is referring to his hook up with Toujiro. "Dont touch me!" He growls at the prince who moves back to avoid getting bitten. Muzan arch gis eyebrows.

"You wont admit your sin to me, hmm~Am gonna punish you. Aren't you afraid~?"

Muzan is still pointing about his fire had become one with flames, however of course due to the lack of proper conversation, the both were not aligned at all.

"Look! I don't know what betrayal you are talking about...but you are the one who betrayed me!" Death glare and rage, the two had an eye contact.

"I won't forgive you...Muzan!"

The fact that Sumiko won't call him 'muzan-sama' Muzan felt more unloved and kept his pride as a royalty.

"Trash."

The imprisonment continues.

...

1 year later, Muzan's parents happen to die, by meant...his father had a heart attack. His mother fell ill and it was not been checked at all that she died just too fast unlike Muzan.

Kibutsuji Muzan, he became the official king of japan, in his intimidating black and royal sokutai clothes and hair.

Muzan is needed to wed with someone to become a legitimate leader.

Sumiko heard the news from the gossiping guards. "Muzan-sama's fiance is so beautiful...! Tonight is their wedding!"

Sumiko gasps and cursed his own heart to feel so hurt. 'Why? Even though I know we do not love each other anymore...to hear him marrying someone as he dump me in his hell hole...it just hurts!'

Muzan meanwhile felt no romance at all. "Here, I swear in sickness and in health to love you forever." He kissed the woman, his bride.

Somewhere in the back of his mind he wished it was a smiling Sumiko. However his demonic thoughts had been corrupted. His mindset has completely changed and closed.

Maybe because he ate too many humans already that his way of thinking had changed so much out of logic and understanding.

For all the years he had eat mere servants, he was not a hungry beasts, he picks them very carefully. Times he would visit his prisoners just to mock them for being powerless in his awful reign.

Not even once, Sumiko never talked about his cheating against him. It made Muzan more and more angry at him.

'Why wont he say it!? Does he really want to die badly...!?'

Having a queen, having an intercourse...Muzan's wife did not get pregnant at all. People began questioning it, you know politics.

Kibutsuji Muzan though is more focus on how to make the priest of fire admit his two timing on him that never existed.

It was all in Muzan's head.

Until he was 26 years old and Sumiko was 25 yrs old.

Sumiko's hair no longer tied up in ponytail, they were hair down and is very rough. It was not been comb at all...he look dirty in his white prison kimono.

His caged was separate from the rest, sometimes he would see Guren and Toujiro whenever they were out for torture but lately he has not seen them.

Sumiko is worried for them than his own life.

"Well you are still alive."

Muzan mocks him in his cage again. Tanjirou Sumiko slowly made a movement to look above his previous beloved prince who is now fully a demonic politician that he is always getting pissed off.

When he used to love making conversation to him, its just something you want to delete. "The time has come for your final sentence." He made an evil smile. "Death."

Sumiko rolled his eyes, until now he regretted all his actions. Especially how he was just toss like this without proper explanation.

Since Muzan won't say the reason behind his betrayal, all Sumiko can come up as conclusion is that Muzan had never loved him. 'The Kibutsuji clan by the end...they are all evil...!'

Spitting at the bars. Muzan narrowed his eyes that his hakama's had a spit from Sumiko. "Phew!" Sumiko laughs and grinned at him. "Hahaha!" Evil smug, "I refuse to perform harakiri. I wan't to be burned alive if that is the origin punishment...!"

Muzan just wanted to hear Sumiko say that he cheated, yet the priest of fire never mention nor admit it. 'Sumiko...you are...really stubborn!'

Muzan thought this would made him confess it but it failed. "What...?" Sumiko attacks the bars in between and growled at him with such anger.

"I want all the things that you and I had shared to be burned to ashes, to my very skin and bones...even my saliva! Everything makes me sick! So set me to death you see fit...one thing for sure, I hate you!"

Angry vein pops in Muzan's face. "You and your mouth...!" Almost loosing his cool head, Muzan controlled himself by smirking once more. He knows this will trigger his lover that he did not really broke up at all. "By the way, your beloved Rengoku Toujiro, I throw him somewhere far from you. I wonder if he is alive~?"

Agitated indeed, Muzan is hurt inside that Sumiko really cares so much for the other.

"Bastard! What did he ever do to you? You were always jealous of him!"

Then Muzan whispered.

"So you do love him."

"Huh?"

Muzan turned his back. "Tanjirou Sumiko...you are the devil here."

"What the hell is that suppose to mean?! Come back here you coward...!"

.

.

.

.

.

"Oniichan...?"

Hearing a gentle voice, Sumiko scrambles.
"S-Sumiyoshi!"

It was Sumiko's sibling, the second eldest Tanjirou Sumiyoshi.

To think Muzan will allow them to visit...well actually not.

"Oniichan! Is it true you will be burned alive? Please let us escape...! Why is the king so cruel to you? Weren't you friends?" His sibling whimpers.

'Not anymore..we were more than that.' Ignoring the question.

"Sumiyoshi...I will be fine, worry not about me...! I mean, mother and father...Our siblings,is everyone okay? Does the king did something to our village?"

Sumiyoshi nods, "The king had shut down some business there. Everyone is suffering from famine. We went here to the capital to ask for rice...then again, We heard you had been imprison all these years. I sneaked here!"

Sumiko so worried and angry at his weakness and irrational thoughts.

"What a fool you are! Listen! I want you all to live! This is niichan's fault okay?! Please..." Removing his hanafuda earrings and placed them to Sumiyoshi's hands. "This is now yours."

Gasp and tears forms. "Noway...Oniichan, so you will indeed leave us?!"

Sumiko smiles so tenderly for him.

"I'm sorry. I promise in my next life...if We are born as a family again Sumiyoshi, Zenko,Mako...Kiyoshi, Teruko and Shoichi. Mom and dad...I will love my family more than anybody else. I won't be selfish as today...I will be the best big brother ever..." cupping his sibling cheeks as he cries with a broken smile. "Goodbye and see you later...please tell the rest to keep the tradition by wearing my hanafuda earrings...the proof that I existed."

Sumiyoshi cried and hugs him despite the cell bars in the way.

"Brother...! Waaah!"

That was the last Sumiko had tears, they were dry now and full of rage.

Sumiko heard it. That Guren was set free from imprisonment, yet he himself isnt. It was a bright day, Sumiko was pulled out to face the crowd to witness his death. Even though he accepted this, it just doesn't seem to feel right not to make a scandal.

Muzan noticed that the hanafuda earrings were not on Sumiko. For some reason it feels off.

'Where are his earrings...?'

If he recall correctly, without them Sumiko is a heartless person like him.

Or emotionless?

There was no proof of that till today.

Not knowing in the crowd, the sibling of Sumiko is watching, just hiding in a hoodie and is clutching the hanafuda earrings with him and prayed. 'Oniichan...'

Sumiko death glares at the sitting king and his said queen. Sumiko knew he will die in front of all with shameful ending.

So he was burning with hate. Disrespecting him for the last.

"You lied to me...! How...how could you Muzan...? You tricked me to heal you...I thought you want to live with me...unforgivable! I did so many things...so many sacrifices, so many hardships...so many wounds...yet you just played it. You should never play with fire! I will show you that lesson!"

The queen gasps as if she understood what were those words. The crowds meanwhile were confused.

People who had suspicion that he and the prince had been in relationship,some were eaten.. some kept their mouth shuts.

Then again who cares? If the king is flirty or whatever they are all his pawns.

Muzan felt a stung in his heart when Sumiko tried to remind him of the days that they loved each other. "Tsk..."

"Muzan-sama...?" His wife asks, but Muzan ignores her.

Tanjirou Sumiko is now tied to the pillar as he made a curse in the middle of the sun.

Making everyone gasps in horror his voice echoed like a raging fire.

"LISTEN TO ME! ESPECIALLY YOU...!" not even closing his eyes as the torch connected to his woods.

They began to burn.

"From this day forward, I curse you! You can never walk in the sun ever again...! In my next life...I swear I will slay you! I will take off your head...! Kibutsuji Muzan you demon lord!"

Muzan stood in his seat as he felt the curse applied to him took effect.

"Sumiko what are you-"

When the bright sun hit him,his skin burned.

"WAAAH!?"

The audience witness that he was apparently not human. Hell broke loose.

"Kyah! Muzan-sama!" His caring wife shielded him from the sun as the guards took him away.

They put him in a shed out of the sun's reach.

The people who had questions why the king burned on his own when the sun hit him, all they can think of is the curse of the priest of fire.

Especially the trial is about the stolen Blur spider lily. Was he really a demon then?

'Ahh...kami-sama...' Sumiko closes his eyes and droplets of pure tears were his remaining source of water as he is set on fire, yes...he was burning alive and yet he did not feel the pain. Instead just the lingering broken heart.

'In my next life...please, I beg...I want to love myself and the people who would really love me. Never again fall for a demon like him.. please never...and please forgive my wrong doings. If there is a second chance...I will...'

Sumiko dies and becomes nothing but an ash that gives off the scent of regret.

The execution ends.

"Sumiko nii chan...!" Sumiyoshi crying at his ashes as he collected them. The ashes of his had touch the hanafuda earrings.

Not noticing a soul went inside...Sumiyoshi goes back to Kumotori Mountains with his ashes. His whole family mourn his unfair death and swore to be not defeated by despair by living on.

Sumiyoshi who looked like his big brother, wore the earrings with kindness and joy.

After Sumiko's death. Priest Michikatsu is attacked by Muzan and is wondering why. Maybe he discovered his secret or whatever? Michikatsu did not want to die.

"Muzan-sama I know you are a demon by calm yourself!"

Muzan whose angry and cold, the moon shined and showed his demonic self in front of him. 'This stupid curse by Sumiko...I must find a way to defeat it!'

"Priest Michikatsu...from this day forward throw your human name for you will be my demon guard."

Inserting his finger in his forehead, Michikatsu feels the blood of Muzan is transferring to him. 'W-what is this...? Muzan-sama and I becoming...one...?!'

"Argh!"

Muzan had a delighted smile as he created his first demon guard. He discover this ability when he tested it to his mother, though his mother was not able to survive the ounce of his blood.

Tsukiguni Michikatsu survived it and wilk be his first demon guard.

"For all eternity~ you are my Kokushibo."

.

.

.

.

.

Chirp,chirp.

Eversince then...Kibutsuji Muzan cannot walk in the sun. He wanted to find again the mysterious Blue Spider Lily Sumiko Tanjirou created.

He opened the forbidden door only to find nothing but dried flowers. The blue slider lily did not grow nor bloom. Muzan felt betrayed by fate.

Because of the scandal of Sumiko cursing the king, it was spreading...that he was a real demon. The people is begging to care for Sumiko's trial.

Especially that Muzan does not age, they are all rebelling against him.

Because of this Muzan had left his throne and started to look for people who will protect him from demon hunter wannabes.

"Priest Michikatsu?"

Priest of Wise-ness Doma was greeted by demon Muzan and demon Michikatsu who is now named as Kokushibo.

"Doma come with us...lets reign with our new Lord."

Without much of question, because Doma is wise. By just looking at the two he knew it was futile to struggle.

So he joked. "I don't believe in heaven and hell anyway! Fine I will join!"

Doma had become Muzan's demon as well.

Eventually he built the Twelve Kizuki.

Toujirou was outcasted and was bullied but eventually he found a home and continued his lineage,Guren resigned as he was spared from the crime and live in the mountains and is able to continue his blood as well.

Sumiko's siblings had spreaded across japan, nobody is able to keep the Tanjirou surname that it disappeared in the history.

There was a tale...

String, string...

The biwa making a music to tell.

~"Sumiko was a priest for the Fire God. Tanjirou Sumiko dances and dances. Sumiko prayed to the Sun God. Sumiko...stole the forbidden Blue spider lilies just for one man's sake. The future emperor, king of japan. However...people discovered this sin. Sumiko was punished by the believers. Tanjirou Sumiko was burned alive and the demon lord couldn't save Sumiko. It was his pride cause this. Worst... he misunderstood, Sumiko cursed him due to a broken heart. To never walk in the sun...Nobody knows Sumiko's gender if it was a guy or a girl...all they know Sumiko is the fire inside the hanafuda earrings."~

The myth of the moon demon lord and the hanafuda kagura earrings is nothing but indeed a tragedy.

Sengoku Jidai...

His one and only medicine to over come the sun...is the Blue spider lily is what Muzan wanted to believe even though he did not see the actual flower.

Sumiko's soul is trapped in the Hanafuda Earrings...as long as it has been wear by the next generation. He will always be reincarnated until he kills the man who betrayed his love.

"I was born to kill this man."

SLASH!

Blood gushes out of Kibutsuji Muzan with short culry hair and a woman named Tamayo behind him.

Yoriichi Tsukiguni said, "Remember I told you if I got reincarnated I will slay you?" Realizing the hanafuda earrings. He knows them...

"D-don't tell me you are Sumiko...?!"

Yoriichi swung his sword to kill him.
"Yes, and I have come to take off your head! For my wife and child you have killed...!" Muzan had escape death though.

Hiding like a loser and coward he was...Muzan swore to himself.

"I swear, whoever wore those Hanafuda earrings. They must die. I see now... they were the vessels for Tanjirou Sumiko. I will eliminate every single person related to him, till he never gets reborn."

Cursing the existence of the one he used to loved so much.

"I lament those hanafuda earrings."

1000 years old Kibutsuji Muzan meaning...900 decades later, a new era begins.

The Taishou Era has come.

Muzan is still breathing and fearing to the illegal fire that reincarnates.

Chapter Text

It won't be forever spring, summer, fall, rainy and even winter. Which is why if there is a scent of blood...meaning something has changed.

900 decades later...
Kibutsuji Muzan, Alias Kibutsuji Tsukahiro.
Status: married.
Age 20's. Reality 1000 years old.
Birthday, June 3rd 749 from Heian period.
Lives in the land of the rising sun, known today as Asakuza Tokyo.

'It has been like forever that I has survived death.'

Muzan's POV

In the outskirts of Kumotori mountains, it was winter, something you can say as nostalgic from the past. 'Winter huh...' Muzan in his white fedora clothes and a white cape. He and his elegant walk like the gust of wind,he is reminded the day how this season was his comfort zone.

Back then his body finds everything unbearable, except somehow the snow season is fine however limited movements.

Still it is a season that allows him to go outside even just for a bit.

'Winter...is whenever the fire dance happens.' He actually forgot what it was called, but one thing for sure...it is a dance performed by tradition of someone he used to adore. 'So quiet...' Blowing with cold breath, nothing in particular...he just like strolling that's all.

'Atleast in winter...even if the sun is out, it will not affect me.' Touching his chest to feel himself in cold weather. 'It is all his fault that am not able to walk in the sun...'

Getting reminded of the past that he had loved and hated, he was suddenly pissed off about it, 'Anyone who is related to him, or anyone even dares to carry his will with the hanafuda earrings...I shall slaughter them all.' Cursing in his mind, Muzan kept walking like a ghost in the snow.

He would never forget those words from the one he used to held so dear, the one he clings his life for.

The red haired boy with hanafuda earrings.

Kring...)))

Even though the bell does not exist anymore, Kibutsuji Muzan can still hear it.

((~"From this day forward, I curse you! You can never walk in the sun ever again...! In my next life...I swear I will slay you! I will take off your head...! Kibutsuji Muzan you demon lord!"~))

There is nothing to fear, that bloodline should have been gone since he had not heard their surname at all...

'Tanjirou...Clan.'

Then again he saw someone selling charcoals.

'Could it be...?'

...

Today is a new year, supposed to be the Hii No Kami Kagura has to be performed before a new 'year' began. However since their father died recently and the eldest has to work his ass to feed his family to replace the role of a father. No ritual has happend.

"Good morning mom!"

A boy similar to the red burgundy tips, pony tailed up but the length of it's tail are shorter, with the remarkable hanafuda earrings. A noticeable scar in his forehead hinting he had some accident in his skull...his name was Kamado Tanjiro, 13 yrs old, born here at Kumotori Mountains with six siblings and his mother.

"Oh my Tanjiro-kun, you woke up so early..." his mother greeted him back with a worried frown.

Tanjiro chuckles and beamed his own excited for today's achievement. "Come on mom! Father would not be please to find out that you are always worried about tomorrow...!" Grabbing the machete, fixing his scarf on his neck. Tanjiro's nose and cheek were red from the freezing weather.

"Oh dear...To think I gave birth to a hardworking loving son...come here," a soft smile from Kamado Kie, she snatch his cheeks to rub them.

"M-mom?!" Blushing to be treated like a kid, Kie giggles.

"Look how you had grown so much like your father~Tanjiro, thank you for always thinking ahead of us."

Tanjiro smiles back feeling so warmth from such parental affection.

"You do not need to thank me mom, am doing this because I want everyone to fill their stomach with nice hotpot, as well I frankly want to buy new clothes! Especially for Nezuko..!" Grinning. Kie laughs and knocks to Tanjiro's forehead.

"Ow!"
"Silly~" Tanjiro rubs his forehead as he and his mother laughs for being worry rat for eachother. "Geez...!"

"Ahahaha~!"

Nezuko who approached the two, she had also woken up so early that her hair bun is a mess. "What is it~what is it~?" She glee with an incoming tease. "Did oniichan found a girlfriend that he is too hard working~?"

Tanjiro had a furious blush and denied her assumptions.

"N-Nezuko! I cannot believe as my little sister will make rumors for his brother!" Nezuko laughs her ass and wave her hands.

"I'm just kidding! Also, it sucks to know that all you think is about work!"

Nezuko patted his shoulder's with a thumbs up. "It is about time you work on something else than business~!" Winking. Tanjiro sighs and walks away.

"Oniichan?"

"Look Nezuko, I understand you guys are worried about my love life...but I can't do it at this moment..." looking at the pile of work he has to do by chopping woods. Tanjiro joked on himself, "It has been 1 year since father died...Do you expect me to make a new family just like that? I can't even give myself some credit~!"

Kie and Nezuko were sad for a second making Tanjiro guilty.

"H-hey! It is a joke! O-of course I want to fall in love too! Heeey!"

Kie and Nezuko had an evil grinning upon embarrassing him.

"Oh my~ my little Tanjiro is growing! Puberty is about to come! Right? Nezuko~"
"Yep~yep!"

Sweat drops.

'Is it just me or these two are making fun of my virginity...?'

A tug on the edge of his green and black haori, a voice echoed behind.

"Oniichan..."

"Eh?"

Looking down the voice belong to Kamado Shigeru. "Shigeru! You are already awake?!" Shigeru is actually pouting at him and Tanjiro had no idea what made him upset. "S-Shigeru? Is something the matter?"

Shigeru confessed his worries. "Oniichan...you promise I will chop the woods today, so why do you have the machete? More on, you did not wake me up...so unfair!"

'Ahh...so nice to have a family like this, worrying for each other. Nothing else mattered but each of us to be happy...' giving Shigeru a pat and a chuckle.

"You are right, it is my bad to forget that you are already capable of such thing!"

"S-stop patting me!"

"Waa! Shigeru is blushing!" Kamado Hanako and Takeo laughing and pointing to the flushed face of Shigeru.

"S-shut up you two!"

"Hahaha!"

Kie cups her own cheeks and sighs. "Looks like everyone is awake..." Nezuko snaps and went to them.

"Hey! You didn't wake Rokuta by accident did you?!"

"Gyaa! Oneechan!" Hanako and Takeo runs inside as Nezuko chased them for scolding.

"Oneechan needs some kicking ass session today! Come here!"

"Kyaaah!"
"Buwahaha!"

Shigeru laughs and grabs the machete from Tanjiro. "Serves them right!"
Tanjiro can only sweat drops more. 'N-Nezuko so scary...bet she is a scary wife in future. May the husband be bless.'

"Alright then, what is the next plan?" Kie asks her son, Tanjiro smiles and grabs the basket of charcoal instead, putting it on his back.

"There is one thing to do mom, to sell charcoals~!" Making his way down the mountains to the village below...Tanjiro started his day...to work.

.

.

.

.

.

"I'm home!"

Getting back before dark, Nezuko dashes to meet him. "Oniichan! Good job!"
Nezuko already saw the basket is half empty behind Tanjiro's back and helped him to remove the basket.

"Hurry! the soup is ready! Let us eat before it get's cold!" Smiling at his precious little sister that is now growing to a proper second eldest should act, Tanjiro cannot help but feel too thankful. "Thank you Nezuko." In response Nezuko laughs with a smile and unconditionally kick him in the legs.

"Stop acting like an old man~!"

WHACK!
"Ouch!?"

Nezuko can be violent sometimes, he forgot whenever she is flattered.

'My name is Kamado Tanjiro...I has a very warm family. Nothing can make my life cold as long as I has them...As long as nothing will destroy this scenery...'

Tanjiro's POV

"Alright, am turning off the lights~" Kie announced as everyone gathered at the floor with futons and cuddles.

Blowing the candles, still everyone is wild awake.

"Hey mom!" Hanako says, "Were not sleepy yet! Is it ok if you tell us the story that grandma and father used to tell?"

Tanjiro and Nezuko were silent for a moment with curiosity.

Tanjiro had a small thought. 'If am right...it is about the myth of...' touching his earrings. 'These hanafuda earrings relationship with the fire god...and..' glancing at the bright moon that gives light at the darkness. 'The god moon...?'

Kie paused before agreeing to say it. "Fine, but promise me you will all sleep once am finish with the story~" kneeling at the futon, everyone perks their interest even though they had heard it before.

She started with a soft breath, "There was a priest or priestess for the Fire God. The name of charcoals, this person dances and dances. That person prayed to the Sun God."

Kie can see some of the listener's eyes were closing already but she continued.

"The owner of hanafuda earrings...stole the forbidden Blue spider lilies just for one man's sake. The future emperor, king of japan. However...people discovered this sin. The owner of the hanafuda earrings was punished by the believers. The charcoal was burned alive and the demon lord couldn't save that person. It was his pride cause this. Worst... he misunderstood, the priest or priestess cursed him due to a broken heart. To never walk in the sun...Nobody knows the owner of hanafuda earring's gender if it was a guy or a girl...all they know the owner is the fire inside those hanafuda earrings."

Ignoring the fact that Shigeru, Takeo, Hanako and Rokuta already fallen asleep...Nezuko already rubbing her eyes but bother to asks the question that pops in her head. "Mom...why is that this story so tragic, is it friendship or love story? And also this myth..." looking at his silent big brother whose expression is blank.

"I mean, does that mean the earrings Oniichan's wearing is possessed item?"
Tanjiro brushes her ideas, feeling a bit disturb.

"Now,now Nezuko...do not scare your brother like that! After all Father and grandfather and our ancestor kept these earrings with them! You cannot say it is haunted~!" Kie though had a solemn expression, noticing the face of their mother not smiling they were feeling some uneasiness.

"M-mom? It is a myth right?"

Kie gaze above the moon and shared more.

"Someday, you must fall in love Tanjiro..." then looking straight in the eyes of her son, she whispered. "Because if you do not...the fire will burn you."

'At that time, I really did not understand a single clues from my mother's words...I wonder if there will be a different outcome if only I knew...if only I comprehended.'

Tanjiro's POV

Awkward silence from the three.

Nezuko decided to pulls her sheets.

"GOODNIGHT!"
"Oii~!"

Tanjiro can't help but to scold a tsukkomi to Nezuko escaping the topic.

"Nezuko! You sleep deprived or something?!"

"Ara,ara...fufu~Now, let us sleep~" Kie hushed and lied down, making Tanjiro follow the same pattern to tuck himself to bed.

"Seriously..."

Closing his eyes.

'It is just a myth...I don't like ghost things even if am not afraid of them...'

Kamado Tanjiro fell to a deep sleep.

...

Kring..))

The sound of bells.

(("Mu...sama..."))

Someone's bright smile like the sun.

Kring...))

The bell kept ringing in his ears and the person with the happy smile were changed to worried lips.

(("Have you...take...medicine...?"))

Kring~kring~!

The bells seems to be attach to a wooden sword, but too blurry to make an image from it.

(("I want to be burned alive if that is the origin punishment...!"))

The angry eyebrows of the mysterious person with only his or her chin showing up, the teeth had grit into furious rage.

Then a torch appeared to set flames.

(("I swear in my next life...I will..!"))

The dream ended in a quick darkness.

(GASP!)

His whole body jerks up.

"Aah...?!"

Tanjiro opens his eyes wide and seems to be out of breath. "Hahh..hahh...?" Placing a hand to his heart that beats too fast as if the dream was surreal. Tanjiro properly sits up and wipes the sweat drops in his forehead.

"T-that dream again..." wiping his sweats, gulping and trying to calm himself from a somewhat nightmare.

Tanjiro sniffs by his nose and realize the morning is up and winter is still glowing so white as ever.

"What a beautiful sky...so peaceful..."

Only for his mind to monologue.

'I saw a dream, It was a repeating dream to be exact. A dream about a person that has the same face as I was, but am not sure if it was a girl or a boy...all I know the person seems to have resemblance of features against me and my father. Long pony tailed up with red hair and earrings.'

After brushing his teeth, Kamado Tanjiro once again gets dressed for another morning job.

'Yet...nothing was burned except sadness,anger and intense grief, that I smell from my dreams. Whenever I wake up...I cannot smell them anymore.'

"I'm off~!"

Tanjiro waves at his family member's. Takeo, Shigeru, Kie, Nezuko, Rokuta and Hanako.

"Come home early ok~?!"

"Sure~!"

Tanjiro once again went down the village.

.

.

.
'I recall what my grandmother said when she was still alive.'

Small flashbacks of a little Tanjiro with his grandma hugging him from behind. She lifted her pointy finger while her other hand is patting Tanjiro's head that did not have a scar yet.

("Have you heard Tanjiro-chan...? Memories are eternal...meaning a human's dreams may possibly our past life. Like yours~")

The flashback ended with a confused little Tanjiro.

The present Tanjiro knot his eyebrows as he tried to recollect his memories.

'Back then...What is my grandmother saying? I'm 3 years old...how could a dream of a red ponytail person without a face in an enchanting red robe for festival will be me?'

Nothing made sense during those days...
Not even the words of his late father Kamado Tanjuro.

Another flashback occurred. This time little Tanjiro is a bit older rather than a toddler.

A man in his bed is weakened by some sort of diseases.

("Tanjiro listen, no matter what, only these hanafuda earrings is a must to be pass to your descendants in the future.") Says his sick father Kamado Tanjuro at their futon. Little Tanjiro hovering at his father's legs asks so innocently yet worried already. Hinting he would be a bright adult sooner or later.

("But why Father...?")

Tanjuro taking a deep breath before speaking further,his hanafuda earrings made a movement and it flickered with the sun's light. Making it so magical...
("You see these earrings are not normal. It has the soul of the first owner. The person who directly serve the god of sun. The priest of fire.")

Frowning little Tanjiro tried to guess.

("You mean ghost...?") Tanjuro shakes his head and had a sad face that made little Tanjiro pop more puzzle that he can handle at the moment.

("No...it is more like fragments. I know you won't understand it yet, however...the hanafuda owner has incredible rage. It want's to take over me...fortunately, I love your mother Kie so much that instead of following the path of revenge, I choose to move on and to love.")

Little Tanjiro clutch his head with huge confuse and pouts a bit. ("I don't get it.. is that an evil spirit?")

Tanjuro chuckles and pats his hurting head. ("It is not. It is just a broken hearted soul.")

Tanjiro tilt his head, ("Broken heart...so the owner was in love with someone...?")

Tanjuro laughs and had a smile with a very gentle voice.

("Yes. Now listen Tanjiro,")

Then his expression became serious once again ("...as you age, eventually some weird memories will pop to your head, maybe since birth you already saw them sometime in dreams. You may lost yourself along the way...you will definitely get confuse at your own feelings. Remember this, simply accept it otherwise it will put a burden on you. Once I pass you these earrings, the possession will start...Son, do not give into the hatred. Learn to love. Show the owner of these hanafuda earrings that lingering to the past is not healthy. Help this person pass on...okay?")

Not really getting it, but Tanjiro is a good boy so he smiles and nods his head with acknowledgement. ("Okay~!")

The memory before his father died ended just like that.

...

Tanjiro already reached the village and began talking to other people.

"Hey Tanjiro I want some charcoal!"
"Coming~!"

Though his mind still focus on his memories.

'Father warned me that eventually someone else's memories may consume me. Is father saying I won't be...me? When will that time comes? What will I do...? How do I decide something that should have been buried in the past...after all, for me am Kamado Tanjiro the eldest who should do his best to protect his family.'

...

Another memory from the past came up.

(("Father..."))

This event is around the time Tanjiro's father passed on and they were just done with the funeral.

For the first time he wore the hanafuda earrings, as he removed the kuromontsuki and placed them to the drawers.

"From now on I will be the father of this household..." he talked to himself with determination as he wipe the tears in his eyelids and the eye bags.

When Tanjiro made a movement to move away from the mirror they have. Something strange happend.

Kring~))

Clack,clack,..

"Hm?"

The pot on the shelves fell on it's own, beneath is his little brother holding the temari ball that their father made for him he was looking so down and uninterrupted by any sounds. "Eh-" Surprised to see his little brother happen to be in a bad spot of all times.

"Shigeru! Watch out!"

CRASH!

Ducking Shigeru, making sure he protected his head, unfortunately the pot shattered already in his head.

Pluck...pluck.

"Waah?!"

Hanako whose watching at the doorway screamed, "Oniichan! Your head is bleeding!" Then followed by Shigeru whose still crying beneath his cover. "No! Oniichan! I'm sorry! Don't die!"

Realizing he made a fuss, Tanjiro smiles with an apology to calm the kids. "Haha, relax...its just a scratch. I'm ok!" Ruffling the hair of Shigeru to disregard his own well being.

"Are you alright instead Shigeru?"

Shigeru sniffing and noticed how his brother kept a strong face yet gentle, he felt ashamed for acting so weak. Shaking his head and already stopped crying. "Y-yeah am fine." Satisfied with his response, Tanjiro stands up and help Shigeru stand as well.

"Ok..lets clean the shards-"

But then, his head throbs.

((Badump.))

"Ugh!"

"Oniichan?!"

'H-huh...that is weird?'

Clutching his head. Tanjiro never felt such pain before...it was like some migraine.

'M-my head hurts...it's not the pain from the oozing blood in my skull...it is...it is...something else...!'

It was no other than the memories of Tanjirou Sumiko forcing itself to be transferred in his head.

Laughter.

Sweetness.

Sorrow.

Anger.

Betrayal.

Regret.

Pain.

'W-what are these images...?!'

It is not like this was the first time he saw things, more like they had always been with him when he was a toddler. But those dreams doesn't live long for a memory to recall nor a painful impact to his mind.

However it is now growing stronger as he age, probably the earring's fault.

'O-ow...Too much information...I can't...'

"Oniichan...?"

"Ahh..."

Overwhelmed, Tanjiro collapses.

Thud...))

"Tanjiro!" His mother Kie called out his name many times...still Tanjiro fainted and heard nothing at all.

(('Hehe...I oaths to you! Mu...sama!')

"Who?"

Waking up, explaining everyone what the hell just happend, they had moved on and focus to stand up from their lives from now on.

The next day, Tanjiro held the small mirror they had to take a good look at his forehead...such ugly scar.

"I said it's a scratch, but its a huge scar on my skull yikes..."

Touching his earrings, he wipes off the blood that had stained it a little. "Hmm..."

Staring at the scar and his ears.

"Strange indeed these hanafuda earrings..."

...

The flashback ended, noticing the sky is already dark.

Tanjiro had chilled too much outside.

"Oh no! It's getting late...! I spent too much time at the village." Running away from the village at the fastest speed he can produce. "But at least the charcoals are all sold out." Feeling victorious tonight, Tanjiro wear a happy grin in him.

Only then a voice stops him.

"Oiii Tanjiro!" Stopping in his tracks, looking around and found a house with lights. He knows the person waving for his attention.

"Ah, Saburo jii san~ hehe! Good eve!" Waving back like a child, Old man Saburo scolds him. "Stop smiling there and get here!"

Shock, he wonders with an innocent chibi face. "Eh? Why so?" Saburo crossed his arms and continues to yell at him.

"It is late...you are planning to go back to the mountains right? It is dangerous!"

Tanjiro shrugs, "I'll be fine! I have a good sense of smell...I can track bears down, also I have a machete with me~!" Pointing at his nose, vein pops appeared in Saburo's face making Tanjiro squeaked.

"Stop being confident!"
"Geehh?!"

The next words from the wise old man Saburo, had created some darkening threat though.

"Or else...the demons will come after you."

Somehow the cold wind blows.

Whoosh~

Ringing a bell...?

"Demons...?"

Tanjiro took a step forward, 'Where did I heard those words...? Is it from grandma's...? Or was it...'

Blinking, a memory flashed before him.

(("I'm sorry...I'm sorry..."))

'Eh...?'

Throb...))

Someone sobbing in white kimono and uncombed long hair with hanafuda earrings that seem to be in a cell, from the voice it seems to be a young man.

Day by day, his dreams are becoming solid. Tanjiro used to forget their voice,image and scent whenever he wakes up.

However this time he heard the voice so clear and it was similar to his. The fact he isn't asleep at all...very strange.

("I have given birth to a demon king...!")

Badump.

"H...huh...?" The only difference was the hateful comment in the person's throat as his battered hands covering his face with tears.

"Ow!?" Tanjiro cannot bear the pain in his head.

"Ghh..!" Shutting his eyes. "N-not again, a headache...?" stumbling in his stance,his world went blurry and dizzy.

'Oh I see...It's my dreams again...annoying...'

Thud.

Tanjiro collapses in the snow, "What the?!" Saburo went and run towards him. "Tanjiro?! Hey!" Reaching the unconscious boy with a strong shake.

"Wake up? Tanjiro...Tanjiro...!"

It was useless, he was asleep.

'Ahh...how I wish I didn't collapse to the darkness...because of it...my family.'

Tanjiro's POV

Before Tanjiro had reached Saburo's place. On the other side of the snowy forest skirts, Kibutsuji Muzan happen to be strolling in the same mountain. He do this in hopes to accidentally find the legendary blue spider lily but in vain.

Muzan is patient with that.

'The moon is not visible at this time of month.' Muzan says inside his mind as he make his usual routine to walk around the earth as much as he like for whenever morning comes he must hide once more. 'Even though I had outlived back then,my dream to conquer the sun is still far away...'

Narrowing his eyes as he is getting eaten by frustration.

'Where is it? The blue spider lily-'

Suddenly on the corner of his plum irises something shined.

Kring...))

His eyes widen when his sharp pupils notice a familiar red sun. It was a kagura. 'A-again..?!'

Panicking.

"Where?!" Immediately he stop on his tracks to scan his surroundings where he happen to spot the shadows of death.

Badump,badump.

Even though he was a demon king,he feared one thing or a person whose alike to him. Recalling a man name Tsukiguni Yoriichi had randomly slashed him and spat him some stupid sentimental things such as revenge for loosing their families, possessed by Tanjirou Sumiko's hatred towards him.

Muzan cannot be off guard.

'Tsk...I do not feel any threatening presence though...?' Composing himself, Muzan convinced himself to think rationally. 'If am correct, I saw...some charcoals...someone is selling them...A bag...' hotheaded as ever, he hissed at himself. "Where is it!?"

Deciding to walk a bit faster with the cold snow. His footsteps were traced to go up hill. "I need to kill them." Gripping his fist with anger.

"His descendants...!"

He must never let them live.

Knock,knock.

"Oniichan?" Nezuko on the middle of brushing her long curly hair,un-bun. She curiously stops to go by the door and slowly opened it.

Thinking maybe it was her brother, it was a mistake for her to even think that her brother would knock. Tanjiro usually calls her name to open the door before knocking.

However Nezuko thought maybe a neighbor is knocking too...so she had zero doubts.

Creak~

"Yes?"

What she found behind their sliding door is a tall man in a modern outfit. The man wearing a white fedora and looking so special.

'A-a rich person?'

Muzan greets her with a small fake smile with a polite greeting.

"Good evening~."

Slightly blushing Nezuko that she is facing a rather handsome stranger, she unconsciously open wide their door. "E-eh? Yes mister?" Muzan smirks for a short second before he used his usual stoic face while his voice sound so caring and formal. "Is this the house of charcoal sellers~?"

He cock his head, Nezuko tilt her own head and is unable to stop staring to him up and down...because even though he sounds so nice.

'How pecular...' Nezuko gulps and wore a smile, but she did feel awkward. "W-well yes...? Um, who are you sorry?" Trying her best not to be so rude, Muzan simply nods in understanding.

The strange man spoke some nonsense into the wondering Nezuko.

"I see. So his bloodline is still preserve, with a different surname huh."
By then Kie noticed that the door had been open for too long that she needed to check on the second eldest.

"Nezuko? Is Tanjiro back? Tell him to hurry and take a hot bath-" Kie gasp upon seeing the eyes of Kibutsuji Muzan and had a coldness smile ever.

"Hello there~" Kie blinks and convinced herself that maybe she was mistaken upon seeing those eyes that did not seem human. Kie is not the type of person to immediately jump to conclusion unless she sees it close by.

"A-ara...a traveler?" Approaching the doorway to join Nezuko, Rokuta appeared behind Nezuko's back to tug the edge of her kimono.

"Oneechan?"

Silently Muzan observes them and started to do a head count.

'Is this all of them? Strange nobody had the hanafuda earrings..hmm, oh well it does not matter~'

Kie with manners runs her mouth to interview Muzan, however Muzan heard nothing. His friendly smile from earlier had completely disappeared into dread.

'Hmm...I always kill them but they still exists and multiply but come to think of it. They serve the sun of god even today. Maybe if I turn them to a demon...something might change from this fate of them hunting me down. I can experiment~.'

Nezuko tried to butt in with her mother's question to the stranger since he doesn't seem to be aware that he was disturbing them.

"E-excuse me mister, may we know who you are? I mean...it is quite late at night for you to..." Muzan huffs and lifted his right hands.

"~Please worry not about me..."

"What?!" Shigeru was the first one to notice that something is wrong with his fingers. Even though Shigeru is still a kid, he took the hatchet near him. "H-his nails are growing!" Kie took a step back and whispered under her breath as she trembles.

"De...mon? I-it's you...! Tanjuro's, my husband's-"

Nezuko whose star-struck upon Muzan's transforming backbone and fingernails. She forgot to run.

"After all this will be the last you will be normal~."

SLASH!

It was too fast actually.

"Kyaah!"
"Augh...?!"

Even though it was too fast, Nezuko's body happen to duck down to cover Rokuta. "Aaaaah!" She heard the scream of her family as she realize that blood still had gushed out from her and Rokuta's body. "Oneechan! Run!" Shrieked by Shigeru whose charging towards Muzan to use the hatchet.

Muzan can only do a devil smile at such confidence.

"Goodnight~"

"No!" Seeing her mother tried to protect Hanako and Takeo, Shigeru was stab in the neck. "Ack...!"

Falling flat outside and landing to the snow. 'Mom...Shigeru, Ta..keo..Hanako...Roku...ta...?' Nezuko can barely stay awake as she felt feverish from her wound. She heard him.

"Just a very small ounce of my blood they already died? How disappointing~" Kibutsuji Muzan started to look at their fidgeting bodies one by one.

Everyone is choking from his blood that has been transferred.

Though Nezuko did not have those symptoms yet, instead her head was filled with questions. 'Who is this man? Why did he do this to us...? And what did mom said? This person related to father...? Huh...? Guhh...' Having small teary eyes, Muzan crouches down to the corpse of Kamado Kie whose eyes are lifeless on Nezuko's point of view.

"I guess a little taste of their meat won't hurt my stomach~" Eyes widen upon seeing Muzan's hands had went inside her mother's ripped out stomach and the sound of blood with flesh getting teared away from it's right place.

Nezuko felt to puke but instead she was getting eaten by darkness.

'No...no...this monster is eating mother's organs...!'

As Muzan finishes eating some parts from her dead siblings, Muzan stood and walks out of their house.

"I guess am full. I shall take my leave~"

With trembling hands, Nezuko embraces tight the dead Rokuta in her arms.

She bit her lips and unable to stay conscious.

'Tanjiro oniichan...p-please dont come home...don't..! I beg...'

Nezuko finally fall to the darkness of her soon demonification.

...

From the throbbing headache that lingers, it felt like a dream and he completely forgot about it.

'What...? A ceiling?'

Kamado Tanjiro open his eyes slowly and found above his vision the face of a caring old man. "You woke up?" Feeling dry in his throat, Tanjiro wasn't sure at all.

"Saburo...jii san?"

Blinking for few moments, he finally sat up and rubs the back of his head. Saburo had a short relief smile. "Err...what happen to me?" Tanjiro sheepishly smiling, Saburo cleared his throat and explained.

"You seem to have a headache then you fainted."

Feeling so bad for being a burden, Tanjiro ashamed of himself.

"I-Is that so?" Saburo huffs and scolds him but gently.

"Don't overwork yourself boy. I know you replaced the role of your father but doesn't mean you will allow yourself to fall ill...think about your mother Kie. Sheesh." Shaking his head, Tanjiro can only shook his head to accept to be tag as guilty.

'It's true I overworked, I better take care of my health too if I want to keep helping my family.' Then again...he still wonders. "Um, Saburo-jii san.."

"What is it?" Saburo turned his back to prepare something.

"...Are demons real?" They was a pause of silence before Saburo nods, unable to see the elder's expression, Tanjiro somehow smells a retraced sorrow. "...yeah."
Curiously, he pestered.

"Have you seen one?"

Saburo faced him with a blank face with food bowl in his hands. "Who knows?"
Placing them to the table, Tanjiro began to crawl towards the said desk.
"Do demons come inside houses?" He asks while watching Saburo prepare a meal for him.

"They do." Tanjiro is still not understanding why Saburo is acting strange regarding this topic. "Huh...then everyone will be eaten?"

Saburo pours him some tea before Tanjiro cross his legs to properly sit.
"That is why...the Onigari people exist, it is their job to slay the demons."
Fixing his posture to eat soon.

"Demon hunters..." Tanjiro can only murmur.

Saburo pats his shoulders to dismiss the topic.

"Now, eat up...then after this you can go home. The dawn is approaching now anytime soon." Tanjiro decided to let it go, and he smiles thankfully for the meal.

"Thank you."

...

'The truth is...I know something has been wrong with me. However I reverted my eyes...because I was afraid...'

Tanjiro's POV

It's already morning yet the sun is nowhere to be seen because of the snow, Tanjiro soon will see his house a top on this hill road.

'So much fear that if I focused on myself too much,people that I held dear may disappear...'

Tanjiro's POV

"Eh?" His nose suddenly had sniff something of an iron rust.

"Hmm?"

*sniff,sniff*"
Badump...!

His heart panics upon realizing what scent is this.

"Smell of blood...?!"

Dashing straight ahead, Tanjiro witness a lying Nezuko at the snow.

His lung screamed yet restrained with dryness as he couldn't understand why is this happening.

"Uaaaagh!"

Reaching the unconscious and bloodied little sister. "Nezuko!? What happen?!" He refrain from touching her right away as he noticed that Nezuko is hovering about Rokuta whose also bloodied and not responding.

"What..." turning his head to see their house sliding door is wide open, his world stopped. "N-no..." his legs looses the purpose to keep straight, it went to kneel to the cold and bloodied floor.

Heavy breathing.

"M-mom...S-shigeru,Takeo..Rokuta..Hanako...? W-why...?"

Tanjiro can barely stay calm.

'...A demon wouldn't have slaughtered them.'

Tanjiro's POV

"Is it a bear...? Wait...Nezuko?"

Realizing that Nezuko is still warm, immediately Tanjiro had disregarded his feelings and tried to focus to save one person that he can still do something.

'I need to go down the village! Nezuko...I will save you! Trust in your big brother...! So please hang in there!'

With held back tears from the eldest,he made his way to the blizzard.

Pluck...))

'There was always the sound of water every time I close my eyes.'
Drip...drop...))
'Not only that, I sometimes see a strange dream where I was...scolding someone from their stupidity.'

Giyuu's POV

A tensed up body of a boy with red-locks and very long ponytail. Even though he seem to have cornered him, he notice the boy was holding tight to the nichirin blade case. Hearing a sound of the strange boy taking a deep breath, Giyuu can sense he is up to fight rather than beg.

'I even uttered his name but it was muted.'

"#%_Su_#*$mi#%*ko...?"

'He faced me and I saw his terrified face and called me...'

(("P-priest Guren?!"))

Even though that was not his name, like inside dreams...you are suppose to follow the script. Giyuu did what the dream wanted him to do...he did not step inside the blue flower field that is blurry to pinpoint what kind of flower it was.

'Even if I do not know him, I felt some painful disappointment lured towards him. I warned him about something to do with dying...we argued but he...'

(("No. I wont let this hellish life predict our future. I'm sorry!")) The boy in red priest robes ran's off with the blue flower in his hands.

'My eyes eyes widen in shock and betrayal. As if whatever am playing a role in this dream had such care for the other.'

(("Ridiculous..."))

'I thought to chase him but the flow of the dream did not allowed me. Feeling so wrong and distant. I heard my own voiced echoed in my ears.'

(('If I had next chance...I want to...save him and spare him...in next life.'))

'I never would have thought he existed in real life...till this fateful encounter.'

"...!?"

Ending the dream with a abrupt nap to woke. Tomioka Giyuu scanned the snowy surrounding and notice that he had fell asleep under a dead tree. "That dream again..." Patting away the snow that stocked to his haori. Giyuu unsheathes his nichirin blade. "This isn't the time for sleep, I got to finish my work..."

It was a blunder of him to fall asleep so sudden in middle of the work. Giyuu already can tell that he is too late. 'It is all the fault of that strange repeating story...' Little bit he knew, it was his past life. 'Hurry...I must hurry...' Noticing blood trails from the white ground, Giyuu narrowed his eyes and followed the trace.

'The demon is near...'

Whoosh~

Spotting a boy with a wounded person behind his back, Giyuu leaps to slash her up. "Waah?!" Yet the boy screamed and ducks down. Distracted he ended up cutting the small pony tailed hair of the said boy. "Ow!"
The redheaded boy rolled with the demon to a tree.

BAM!
Hitting his back, Giyuu silently observes the trembling victim. "Y-you are...?"

Staring at the demon girl instead of focusing to recognize a familliar face.

Giyuu introduced himself without any emotions, instead more like a threat.

"Tomioka Giyuu...and am a Demon Slayer."

'Eh? Wait...you mean an Onigari! No!'

Tanjiro immediately knows what he had to do.

"No! Please do not kill her! Nezuko is my little sister! She isn't a demon!" Giyuu twitches upon his ridiculous words. "Really? Even though she looks like this?" Quickly he grabs her and held her hostage. "N-Nezuko...!"

Tanjiro already worn out and scared, Giyuu wanted to at least tell him the situation isn't some kind of a joke to mess with excuses.

"Listen, it is my job to slay demons to save weaklings like you. To avoid people like this thing to eat humans further than the count...I do not ask your forgiveness."

Lifting the blade.

The boy whispered.
"No..."

"You just have to understand and accept it."

'What is this? What is this...?!'

Feeling so weak, Tanjiro can only tremble and make small pleading.
"N-no...wait..." Seeing Nezuko got stabbed, Tanjiro hurled on his stomach for the sound of blade into flesh is making him feel the pain as well. "Aghh!"

Tanjiro's mind is in a mess.

'Somehow I remember something else...that I did not beg on a dream, instead I ran away. Yet I couldn't bring myself to act the way that person did onto my dream. I did not have enough courage after all...because am...'

"WAIT! I WILL MAKE THINGS RIGHT JUST PLEASE DON'T!"

Tanjiro bows down.

"STOP...!"

The act of dogeza made Giyuu frozen.

"Please do not take away more of my family...!" hearing the boy cry.

Badump...))

Something in Giyuu's eyes flashed, a smiling sunshine with red long locks of ponytail, the person had huge forehead with earrings and red headband.

Tomioka Giyui hears the sound of moving bells.

(("Hehe! Guren-san~!"))

Gasping.

'Wait...he...looks familiar like the person in my dreams...'

Keeping on watching the crying boy to the cold ground as he kept his pathetic pleads for him to stop hurting her little sister that got converted, Giyuu had a change of heart.

'Could it be...this person is...my..'

Everything went blank before Tanjiro knew.

'My chance to spare that person's life from ruins...?'

.

.

.

.

.

.
"Are you awake?"

Tanjiro unintentionally grabs Nezuko's haori to cling life for her. "...!?" Hearing the voice of the man who tried to slay his sister is suddenly chilling at the nearest tree trunk with crossed arms. "H-huh...?" Deciding to embrace Nezuko as Tanjiro kept hostile towards him, Tomioka Giyuu only cut him short.

"Go to Mount Sagiri...there is a man named Urokodaki Sakonji who will help you find a cure for your sister." Blinking in a huge confusion, Tanjiro thought to answer his questions.

"Eh..? You mean. W-were spa...red?"

Giyuu simply turns his back and finished his instructions.

"Do not let your sister out in the sun or she will become none. Hurry."

'What? He is leaving already?! That was not even an explanation!'

"Wait up!"

Yet Tomioka Giyuu never stopped walking away.

Whoosh~

The cold wind had pulled Tanjiro's dumbfounded face to accept the reality. "H-he left just like that..." Even though he saw him for the first time,Tanjiro's heart clutches with a unexplained sorrow and guilt. 'But somehow, he looks familiar...the moment our eyes met, something in my heart clutch such guilt. What is it?'

Glancing at the almost naked Nezuko with blood patterns,Tanjiro carries her back home.

"Nezuko...let me dress you up first."

Burrying his family and leaving a prayer, Kamado Tanjiro decided to trust the words of the demon slayer. 'Strange that...I believe his words, as if this isn't the first time it happend.'

Still not aware of his past life connection, he held his hand to hold with Nezuko's.

"Nezuko, Let's go."

'From this day forward...the illegal fire that reincarnates inside me, awakens slowly and surely...it was messing with my identity. Until nothing was left except the song I kept inside my heart. No matter how much I stumble.'

Tanjiro's POV

Chapter Text

(("That is I, Priest Tan...ro Su...ko prays from the bottom of my heart."))

"Whose prayer is that?"

(("I love your mother Kie so much that instead of following the path of revenge, I choose to move on and to love."))

'But father, I don't get it.. is that an evil spirit?'

("It is not. It is just a broken hearted soul.")

.

.

.

.

.

Tanjiro's POV

My name is Kamado Tanjiro, once upon a snowy day...my family was taken by a demon king named...

"Kibutsuji Muzan is the name of the creator of demons." Is what Urokodaki-san had shared with me with assurance. "There is no doubt, he is for sure the one who killed your family since your little sister has become a demon. Those incidents only happens if he is the one who attacks or visits a certain place."

I repeated the devil's name in attempt to memorize it as my target and yet... "Kibutsuji...Muzan..."

I wonder why...
'Why does it sounds familiar?'

Only for my headache to attack. "Ouch!" Pressing my head by soft pressure from my beaten up palms, I can smell the worried Urokodaki-san despite the tengu mask that is hiding his facial expression.

"What's wrong Tanjiro?" I tried to brush it off, since I had been in his care for almost 2 years.

"N-nothing.. just tired. The final exam was tiring hehe." Giving him my best smile despite the fatigue am feeling, Urokodaki-san acted like our second father as he gently scolded me.

"Don't pretend. Let me guess is that your usual headaches?" I actually did not told him regarding my condition, it is just of course time to time he would caught me curling in pain in middle of our training sessions and sometimes a simple meal time. I ended up interrupting those peace by hurting like this.

"Y-yes." There was no need to lie so I admitted. Slumping my shoulder's as I felt rather pathetic, Urokodaki-san patted my sad shoulder's and suggested me the most obvious solution.

"Maybe I should call a doctor. That could be an illness...hopefully not, since you are just about to start your journey." However I do not want to be a burden further than what we had been free loading here. After all the doctor already went to check on Nezuko the other day.

So I declined.

"Worry not Urokodaki-san, am fine. This headache is in our family genes. My father, my grandfather...my great fore fathers...all of them get's these weird headaches."

I told him with a pleasant smile hoping he would believe me. Watching Urokodaki scratches his head and sighed. "That surely is strange. But as long us its not anything life threatening...very well then, just take a rest."

Both of us decided to call it a day.

"Goodnight!" I said it first, I can imagine Urokodaki-san had a small smile in his lips even with masks. "Goodnight as well..."

With that I went to the room where Nezuko is still asleep.

Sliding the door shut and approaching the lamp so that I can blow it off.

"Muzan...huh." narrowing my eyes as I glared at the small fire that provides a dim lighting at this room.

'...Why is that when I utter his name I felt something else other than this coiling hate I has for him?'

I felt so much sorrow that I tried to focus my vision to my sleeping little sister Nezuko.

"Hey, Nezuko...I feel so bitter..."

Blowing off the candle, I went to sleep beside Nezuko and comforted myself by hugging her to feel her body that she is still a human for me.

"Please tell me to do my best...Nezuko..."

'Or else I think these headaches will mess me deeply.'

...

Anyone's POV

.

.

.

.

Tanjiro saw another distant dream.

Kring...))

'This place is...?'

Inside a spacious old Japanese castle it seems. Previously Tanjiro can only see of the person's appearance to be in red robe for ancient priest, with red bandanna without a face.

(("Ah~ you are awake!"))

But now he can see this person's face he had same color of eyes,same shape of nose as him.

As if it was a mirror.

Horrifying even his voice.

(("Good morning~!"))

'He passed before me, the person who looked exactly like me...except he had longer ponytail and doesn't seem to have any scar at his forehead. Behind me there was a tall man in white kimono but faceless.'

The happy red headed boy that seems to be a bit older than he was...he was cheerful and his voice is literally sounded like Tanjiro whenever he needed to be formal.

(("Hehe, come let us see the beautiful weather outside! Mu...sama!"))

Kring...))

The dream ended, opening his eyes and slowly got up to out of bed.

"Mu...sama...?"

Hearing the birds chirp,Tanjiro massage his face to compose himself. 'What a weird name...' Seeing the morning dew, he know it is time to wear his demon slayer uniform.

"Goodbye Urokodaki-san! Tell Sabito and Makomo my thanks!"

After that Nezuko and Tanjiro left Mount Sagiri.

"Yaaaah! Mizu no kokyuu!"

'Together with my little sister, we fought the demon that lurks to eat young women. So far my headache did not attack, which is why the battle was finished without complications. If there is something I hated is that the swamp demon had clawed Nezuko's forehead, thankfully Nezuko is not human at the moment...it healed quickly.'

The reporting crow quickly ordered Tanjiro to go in Asakuza Tokyo to hunt another demon.

'I wouldn't even have thought that so quickly...So quickly that man...'

The demon king will crosses path with him in no time.

*Badump...!*

Dramatically, Tanjiro's body moved to stood like an alarm clock.

*SHATTERS!*

Ignoring the fact the food was wasted, nothing but intense alert to kill is coiling around him and his nose.

'Why?! Why does this scent is around here!?'

Tanjiro was trembling with anger that he left Nezuko sleeping at the noodle bench. "This...smell...that killed my family...! Where is it...?!"

Tanjiro decided to chase the scent.

'It's near...! It is very near!'

In the huge crowd, like a cinematic climax point his hand was able to grab one specific person. He had a white hat and black clothes that Tanjiro has no idea what it is called but indeed it looks wealthy. 'It's him giving off the scent...!' Forcing him to turn around and face him, Tanjiro made his samurai stance to draw the blade and plan to cut him.

"Hn?"

'Then my world stopped.'

"Papa?"

((Gasps))

A young girl was in the devil's arms and called him... 'papa..?!' The child looks innocent as well how she smell.

'I-It can't be...' then a woman behind him seems to be the mother, smells also of a human being. 'Noway.'

"Tsukahiro-san do you know this boy?"

'Is this some kind of a sick joke?!' Tanjiro's thoughts, 'What the hell? This bastard has a human family?! How...how dare he when he took mine!?' He covered his mouth unable to bare the sight of a happy family when he was a demon!

Tanjiro kept shaking as he hear him speak so softly as if he was really a father of someone. Unaware how Muzan seized his attention to his hanafuda earrings that shines in his blue scarf rolled around his head and the fact that Muzan knows what a demon slayer uniform looks like.

Muzan answered without any emotion.

"Not quite. But I did met him before..." Tanjiro's eyes flickered with surprise. 'What? He didn't deny me? What is he planning?' Before he can even speak back, Kibutsuji Muzan gently passed the girl to her mother's arms with a light hearten command.

"My apologies Rei-san I need to talk to this kid. You and Tsuki-chan can go back to the mansion." The woman and Tanjiro were both confuse. "Tsukahiro-san?" Instead he placed a smooth smile with a smoothest lie ever. "It is a bit important. Some small Business."

'A professional liar!'

"Hey boya~" he was smiling at him in front of his so called family, before he opened his eyes with a threat and looked into Tanjiro's. "If you want to talk, we can talk somewhere private." He shot a short smile to his wife with the pushing request. "Please wait for me at home Rei-san..." seeing how his wife reacted so concerned, Tanjiro felt so sick.

"Are you sure...?" Tanjiro can see he was trying to dismiss them away for their battle later so he just patiently kept his mouth shut as he watch him trick the humans.

"Do not worry, I will return tomorrow. Let me take you to the car."

Following them all the way to the car. The woman and child went inside and the car then the door was closed by Muzan.

"Come back early papa!" The cute girl waved with excitement, so tenderly Muzan responded like an expert to shut a kid off. "Be a good girl~" Finally they left.

...

Tanjiro's POV

Since were left alone, I called him with a dark voice. "Hey you." Only for him to turn slowly for me and pointed at the dark alley behind us. He proposed.

"I know you are very blood thirsty right now...how about you follow me where nobody can see us hm~?"

Accepting the proposal since I do not wish to get someone else involved, I agreed. "Fine by me!"

Stomping my feet and followed him, we had reach the end of the dark alley. Completely nobody else but us.

Kibutsuji Muzan seems to be calm about the situation with me. Even though he has not say anything rude yet, I felt his mood that he thinks lowly of me.

'Is he mocking demon slayers? I will make him regret...!' Seeing him without a smile is truly a color I can picture, he asked me.

"What is your name~?"

Rage, vein pops appeared in my face that I did not even try to hide the fact that am gonna reveal my sword to slay him.

"I will freaking tell you indeed! You better not forget it for I will carve it to you! My name is Kamado Tanjiro! I will never forgive you! I will kill you!"

I heard him mumble some words, "How long will you keep reviving till you are satisfied? Tanjirou?" However I only caught my surname with clear hearing. 'H-huh? He pronounced it differently?' Getting off guard. "Uwah!"

It was so fast, the moment I drew my blade a single hand grabbed my throat and pinned me at the wall. "Ack!"
His eyes were menacing enough to put pressure on the death flag position that am in...

CLANG!

Weaponless.

'My sword..!' To think I ended up dropping it due to the lack of oxygen and pain in my neck, Kibutsuji Muzan was a very cold man as he whispered under his breath.

"How foolish of you to even think that we are on the same level of strength. Learn were you belong you peasant monkey." I cannot help but get agitated by his ruthless statement, So I bothered to used my hands and fingers to shake off his one arm in attempt to let him release me. "M-Mu...zan...! Bas..tard!" I rasped and clawed my fingers to his looking expensive sleeves.

"Grrr..!"

Muzan simply followed my hopeless movements with his cat plum iris observing eyes before he smirked.

"Interesting~ you are different from the last."

"Huh?"

Out of nowhere I can smell him being in a good mood that he even let me go, I fell to the ground with choking gasps for air. "Hahh..!" Massaging my own neck that I thought will loose function to speak, I glared up to him and found him having an interesting devilish grinning.

"You said your name is Kamado Tanjiro isn't~?"

He crouched down to my level and lifted my chin. "I will make you atone for all of the sin he did to me. You are very unlucky that it was you who will experience torture." I raised my eyebrows in confusion while my other brain is planning to crawl my other free hand hoping to reach my Nichirin blade at the ground.

"Though I do applause your ability of being able to find me. How troublesome~"

"..." I do not even know how to response to that.

"Hm~? What is this? Are you not aware? Or has he not awoken yet inside you?" He chuckles. "Well~well, if you like let me show you the parts of your body that you did not know. After all, I know your body very well~ and am very curious how it looks like now. This is going to be nostalgic and entertaining..." I had enough of his weirdness, I gained the ability to talk even though my voice sounded soar.

"What the hell are you even talking about!? Do you not remember you killed a nice family in the Kumotori mountains?!" I grit my teeth.

"You...you even ate some of their organs and you just forgot it just like that?! Unforgivable...!" His eyes rolled yet he did acknowledge my purpose of chasing him.

"I see~ revenge." Seeing him cup his own chin to think out loud how he had some fuzzy memories.

"I will admit... I do not quite remember,but if you are referring to the house of charcoal seller..." he smiled at me,"Yes I did visit, and I think that was around 2 years ago~" then he lowered his voice and his eyes were suddenly scary. "Do you expect me to count every single meal I eat?"

He roughly squish my jaws. "Ghh!"

His face had zoomed in to mine that I can smell him so clearly that he smells nice and at the same time I can smell that he isn't human.

"Like you,do you remember when is the last time you have a good meal~?" Still so angry in my guts, my head screamed.

'Is he saying my family was delicious?! This monster!'

But I was not in position to escape yet his grip to my face.

Our noses almost can touch if he zooms any further to mine, his breath sending shivers to me as he kept speaking. "I mean~ I do not get it. What's so bad about killing your family? Aren't you thankful enough that you are at least alive~? That you had been spared from my food chain? Hm~?" I know answering back will cause me a lost but I ended up shouting at him.

"YOU BASTARD! MY FAMILY...WE HUMANS ARE NOT FOOD!"

Then he spoke of my fear.

"~You say so even though your sister is now a demon."

GONG!)))

'Wait,wait...Nezuko..that is right! I left Nezuko! H-he couldn't possibly...!'

My anger was replaced with fear, the fact that he knows Nezuko's condition...My body automatically became submissive. My tensed up muscle to struggle had slumped.

Muzan had a triumphant smirk at me and he even said it. "Good boy~ that's how you should act before me." He had let go of my jaw that I thought would break, only bruises was left.

Behaving at the ground,I refuses to look at him now...fearing he might ask where Nezuko and definitely I wouldn't risk my sister just for revenge!

"Now then~ I wonder what should I do to you~?"

He thought I had given up,of course not.

'Just wait for an opening! Grab the sword and slice off his neck!' For some reason his stare at me became intent that I looked up and met his eyes with interest.

"What is it?!" I growled.

Kibutsuji Muzan suddenly cup my cheeks,my scarf in my head fell off in process and then he-

"~I wonder how you taste..."

And kissed me.

'What is going on!?'

My mouth was invaded by a tongue and started feasting inside my mouth...! "Mmff..! Mff!" Pushing him with all my strength, the tongue went deeper in my throat and started licked me inside. "Mrfhff!" My body panicked. 'He's going to eat me...!' Dammit!

I let my guard down! I'm gonna die won't I...?!

My body moved away but he kept pinning himself to mine that my back felt the bricks behind. I'm totally cornered now! "Mmmhh..!" Tears in my eyes as it actually hurts how his tongue is exploring my organs.

~"Muzan-sama we have emergency."~

Then I heard a woman's voice, Muzan pulled away and sound's like a voice asking his secretary for schedules.

"Nakime, what is it? I'm busy at the moment." Looking carefully at this dark alley, there is a woman at the wall! 'A-another demon...?'

The woman had long black hair that you cannot see her face,she simply speak what she was questioned.

~"It's because a pillar killed one of the Lower Moons."~

Hearing that, Kibutsuji Muzan stood up and fix his clothes that has crumpled a bit when he and I had stayed a bit longer at the ground.

"Alright, Tell all the lower moons to meet up. I will be there soon."

~"Understood."~

Me, not realizing I was drooling, Muzan looks down at me with a satisfied sly smirk.

"Kamado Tanjiro~"

Actually bit afraid, I tried to use my mouth that had been abused earlier. "Mu...zan...?"

He was actually having fun!

"You are very lucky, I won't take you in full tonight. I will devour you slowly ~till you regret on ever chasing me just for your family's death." Then he walks away. I cannot believe how pathetic this has ended. Wiping my drool, I crawled and grab my sword. "No! Come back here you bastard! Were not done yet...!"

He simply wave his hand, "Take care of yourself, so that I can kill you~now excuse me." And disappeared in the darkness of the wall that seem to have a portal. "Dammit!"

I slam my fist at the ground, ignoring the pain that I punched it too hard. My hand throbs along with my head. 'What the hell! After kissing me like that he will just pretend that nothing even happend?! What the hell is that supposed to be...!' The portal is slowly closing,so I bother to shout a threat thinking he will hear it.

"Remember this Kibutsuji Muzan! Even in the depths of hell I will use my blade to take off your head!"

The portal closed and the wall returned to a normal one.

"Dammit...!"

Frustrated tears fell and I sob at the ground.

Not because I was almost eaten, it is because he clearly was not on my level to defeat.

"How frustrating!"
Only then someone's shadow hovered around me.

"Excuse..."

A woman's voice.

((Badump...!))

My nose alerts up.
Because..because this scent is... 'Hold it! This smell...A demon?!'
Turning to my back with my sword ready for battle. "Whose there!?" I roared.

"Pardon me..."

Only to find a very beautiful lady. She is a woman with long, dark brown hair, parted in the center and worn braided back into a large, low bun, which is held in place by a floral hairpin. She had large, gentle eyes that didn't possess pupils, only a haze of pale pink that fades to dark lavender the higher it goes, and notably red lips in contrast to her pale complexion.

"I know this is out of nowhere, but if you refer your demon sister as still human and the fact that you hated Kibutsuji Muzan this much. I can help you with that."

"What...?" Is all I can say at the moment, since behind her is also a demon. Behind her is a young boy with pale skin and bright lavender purple eyes. His short hair is neatly styled and vertically shaded from a dull green to black. The boy wears a button-up shirt under an all-white kimono and dark blue pants.

While the mysterious lady wore a dark purple kimono that was decorated by wavy pale purple tree branches and red flowers, with a cream-colored obi to secure it around her waist, as well as plain white socks and violet zori sandals.

"We can help you stay for a night." She said without a smile, more like she looks stressed.

Unable to decline such proposal, also...

'I can tell she isn't lying. This scent she harbors when she mention Muzan's name is same as mine...but I feel her much darker.'

Deciding to trust her even though I shouldn't. I ended up nodding without a word.

"Yushiro, guide him for me. I will be going back first."

"Understood Tamayo-sama."

Composing myself, I returned to Nezuko and eat 2 noodles to apologize to the seller of the wasted bowl earlier. I went to Tamayo and Yushiro's place. We had discussion about cure for Nezuko.

...

"Really? Me and Nezuko can stay for a night?" I was happy when I heard that Tamayo-san is willing to allow me to rest. Tamayo-san had a small smile before she had another worried face and commented her own opinion.

"Yes, make yourselves at home...more like, am surprise you do not fear to sleep with three demons." She tried to make a joke, but I was really thank so I smiled and told her what I think of them. "Like I said demons used to be humans. A demon like you who had a goal to revert them back to normal is not a demon at all...So thank you."
Tamayo-san's eyes widen when I said that. I thought she would cry since it felt like she was touched on what I said instead...she...

"Is it you...?"

She mumbles, but I didn't quite hear it right.

"What?"

I thought she would hide it, but Tamayo-san marched forward and stared at my face then to my earrings. "S-sorry," she was having some sweat-drops.

'What is troubling her?'

"Is...something the matter?"

Tamayo-san shakes her head and confessed. "Actually...during the time that I was still under Kibutsuji's curse. Time to time whenever he dreams...sometimes his dreams, or more like his memories get's accidentally transferred to me."

Tamayo-san corrected herself. "Ah no...all demons will see his memories. But low level demons cannot, since they do not have much of his blood."

Her expression darken as she explains to me. "The more blood we obtain from Kibutsuji...the closer we get to invade his private memories."

Tamayo-san intently stared at my eyes though. "I might be mistaken but...you look like that person."

Blinking, am very confused. "Who?" Tamayo-san thinks for a second then smiles. "Sorry...this is just something from the past, am not sure if it is related to why Nezuko-san was put in such situation." Eyeing Nezuko whose having a silent glare contest with Yushiro. "Long time ago there was a red haired man with hanafuda earrings whose close to Kibutsuji...but for some reason that person was like reincarnated and tried to kill him."

Tamayo smiled at the memory.

"When his blade struck Kibutsuji...I was freed from his curse." Then she looks back at me. "You look like him."

Even though Tamayo-san did not make a proper and elaborate explanation, why is that...

'Why do I think I know what 'past' is that...?'

Throb...))

"O-ohh.." I touch my head, Tamayo-san hurried to touch my shoulders.

"You okay?" Hearing a jealous and hissing Yushiro behind us...I shake off the dizziness of my head and excused myself. "I'm fine, hehe...err just some migraine! Hehe!"

Grabbing Nezuko's hands. "Alright now let us rest Nezuko!" Waving, "Goodnight now Tamayo-san! Thank you! You to Yushiro!"

Yushiro growls but I ignored him and went to the room of Nezuko and I to have time alone.

"Phew..." sitting at the futon, Nezuko happen to stared at me and she made a sound. "Mmh..."

Wondering what is up, "Yes Nezuko?" Only for Nezuko to grab my hand and continued to stare at my eye as if she is saying for me to stay with her.
So I smiled and hugs her. "Worry not, Oniichan won't go anywhere...we won't be ever seperated again...I promise."

Hugging my sister tight, the pain in my head had died down until I fell asleep.

The next morning, Nezuko went to her box and I said farawell with Tamayo-san and Yushiro with agreement that I will collect demon blood samples for Nezuko.

...

Anyone's POV

"Tamayo-sama is something the matter?" Yushiro pry to Tamayo's frowing face. Tamayo turns to face Yushiro and had a heavy sigh.

"Nothing,it is just that I finally remember now...'Tanjirou' a surname that no longer can be heard suddenly existed as a name...him...that boy Tanjiro, he..he is perhaps another reincarnation of Tanjirou Sumiko." Tamayo glared at the wall. "The real being that Muzan feared the most than Tsukiguki Yoriichi."

Not really following the topic, Yushiro politely asks. "Why? Who is this Tanjirou Sumiko exactly?"

Tamayo closes her eyes to think deeply in her memories. "According to Kibutsuji's memories...Sumiko-san is his lover."

Yushiro gawks.

...

...

Tanjiro and Nezuko made their way back to a field away from the city.

The sun sure is bright, but then Tanjiro was still angry by just thinking of last night's failure. He was grumpy. "Kibutsuji Muzan...that man is awful...!"

Though...something else did bothered him.

'He said something strange to me..He was talking to me but same time he was not actually referring to me?'

The voice echoed like a recording tape in his ears.

(("How long will you keep reviving till you are satisfied? Tanjirou? I will make you atone for all of the sin he did to me. You are very unlucky that it was you who will experience torture. Hm~? What is this? Are you not aware? Or has he not awoken yet inside you? Well~well, if you like let me show you the parts of your body that you did not know. After all, I know your body very well~ and am very curious how it looks like now. This is going to be nostalgic and entertaining..."))

'Also Tamayo-san mention something...like...this...?'

(("Long time ago there was a redhaired man with hanafuda earrings whose close to Kibutsuji...but for some reason that person was like reincarnated and tried to kill him."))

'She said I look like that person but...'

(("I might be mistaken but...you look like that person."))

Throb...))

Slightly Tanjiro's head and heart felt troubled.

"What was that about...?" Frowning at the ground. 'Could it be he knows my family more than I did...? What secret is that? Or is he just messing with me? And what did he meant inside me...is he referring to the soul of hanafuda...'

His thoughts were cut off when a scream destroyed his ears.

"GAAAAAAH!"

A very annoying scream from a blonde haired guy at the ground, desperate on hugging a girl who seems to be trying to escape.

"PLEASE MARRY ME!"

"WHO THE HELL SAID I WOULD?! LET ME GO! I DON'T EVEN KNOW YOU!"

"GAAHH! I DON'T WANT TO DIE A VIRGIN! DIDN'T YOU SAVED ME BECAUSE YOU WERE IN-LOVE!"

"WHAT ARE YOU BEING DELUSIONAL FOR!? LET GOOO!"

By the flow of conversation, Tanjiro thinks he should get involved. Ignoring his normal headaches, the girl looks like she is being harassed in his eyes.

'...also that uniform...!'

"ISN'T CLEAR SHE DOESN'T WANT TO MARRY YOU!?"

Force to pull him away, the girl was happy while the blonde male is angry at Tanjiro.

"Who do you think you are?!" Since he ask, Tanjiro did plan to introduce himself so he did. "My name is Kamado Tanjiro! And you are!?" Behind him Tanjiro saw the girl hushed him and made her way to sneak an escape.

Meanwhile...

"M-mine is A-Agatsuma Zenitsu...wait! You are changing the topic!" Zenitsu looks behind him and the girl is already gone. He swat Tanjiro's hands that had been restraining the tug of his uniform, he went more angry. "W-W-Why did you get in the way of my marriage!?" He sniffs his runny nose, But to Tanjiro...

"Marriage? That didn't look mutual."

Zenitsu clawed his own hair and starts to tantrum. "Shut up virgin!"
Getting a bit triggered, Tanjiro showed him his disgusted face for him.

"Excuse me?"

"WHY ARE YOU LOOKING AT ME LIKE I'M A BEING WHO SHOULDN'T BE BORN!?" Tanjiro didn't stop at that. He stared at him with pure disgust. Zenitsu ended up yelling a lot and starts crying again. "Gyaaa! I don't wanna die as a virgin either!"

"Eeehh..." Tanjiro's ear hurts from his loud voice."Huhuhu."

Tanjiro wanted Zenitsu to stop whining so he searched in his haori for some food. Thankfully there is one.
"That's enough, here Zenitsu."

"Eh?" The onigiri that he bought for himself, Tanjiro decided to share it with him, hoping it will make Zenitsu forgive him for interfering his idiotic dreams to force a woman to marry without being mutual at all. "You can have a share of my Onigiri." Suddenly Zenitsu's eyes turned heart shapes.

"Kyun!"

Then he grabbed Tanjiro's hands and cups them with a thankful smile.

"What a very gentle heartbeat from you Tanjirooo! What a saint!" And he jumps to hug Tanjiro. "Take responsibility and marry me instead~! Kiddin!" Worried he might disturb Nezuko whose inside the box, Tanjiro tried to push him away.

"D-don't hug me! Wait!"

However, it happend.

Throb...))

Badump!

A stronger throb than the faint ones from earlier. Tanjiro felt the sickness again.

"...Huh?"

Zenitsu repeated after him. "Huhh?" He stopped hugging him and stared at Tanjiro whose slowly grabbing now his head for support, Tanjiro'a vision is turning hazy as usual.
"...My head it.. hurts again..." closing his eyes thinking he can relax a bit, however he ended up fainting infront of Zenitsu whose now screaming.

"Tanjiro?!"

Thud...

The worried yell echoed but never the less...Tanjiro fell to the ground face first, thankfully the box remained closed.

"Tanjirooo!"

'Every time I sleep, every-time I lost consciousness...Always there is the sound of bells.'

(("~I finally found him...~"))

Kring...)))

A voice says that, but it sounded like him.

"Eh? Where am?"

Tanjiro found himself again on a memory that he has no interest. He was around like a waterfalls in a happy morning.

Spotting the person that always appear inside his dreams.

"It's him..."

Seeing the red headed priest talking to someone whose bathe in white glow of sunlight. Tanjiro is literally close to the two figure that seem to be having a conversation.

(("Mu...sama are you interested starting your own family perhaps~?"))

Just like a theater playing in his eyes but with broken lines, Tanjiro heard the voice of the other man for the first time.

(("If anyone is worthy I guess.")) The voice was smooth and handsome. For some reason Tanjiro heard this voice before!

'Eh? This...voice...?' when he was about to guess, the red head mirror of him stabs the fish.

STABS!

"Hahh! Yay! Got it!" Seeing his somewhat giggled, Tanjiro accidentally asks him.

"Who are you exactly that you keep appearing in my dreams? Are you perhaps..." Tanjiro had a feeling this is what his father referring.

The soul inside the hanafuda earrings.

To his surprise.

Kring...))

(("Ahh~ it is you. Hello.~ Finally I can talk to you because of your close contact to him. That is good."))

The figure responded to him, "...!" making Tanjiro stone stiff for this is the first time the said character in his dreams of mystery had looked at him in the eye.

He did had doubts that maybe another character appeared behind him that this person might be talking to...but there was nobody else but him.

"W-what...?" Creep out,Tanjiro took some measure to step back. However Tanjirou Sumiko was smiling at him and even bother to go near him.

(("Hey."))

"Uwaah!" Tanjiro screamed. He was freaked out, he never encounter such dream that the stranger would actually talk to him.

"Don't come near me! Why do you keep bothering me!?"

This is different when Sabito and Makomo had ghost up on him. 'Because I was not aware that time...! But this, this person he is...he is the ghost inside the earrings isn't he!?'

Sumiko heard his mind and laughs. (("Hahaha~! You got that right!")) Before he notice, Sumiko was in front of him so close.

Their nose almost can touch, Sumiko smirks at him. (("My name is Sumiko...Nice to meet you 'me'."))

"U-um..." Sumiko gently touch the strands of Tanjiro's hair to his ear then his hanafuda earrings.

Tanjiro gulps and had a terrible sweating due to fear.

"S-Sumiko...?"

Tanjirou Sumiko nods in a glee before he turned dark.

("I see...he kissed you. That devil...I won't forgive him for toying me again.")

When Tanjirou blink, the dream ended without an ending.

Tanjiro's POV

Re opening my eyes, am surprised I had no dreams or whatsoever.

Actually am not sure if I did dream?

Anyway...

Only the throbbing pain lingered in my whole body especially my head.

"...Zenitsu?"

I found ourselves beneath a tree and the sun is already fading.

'How long did I lost consciousness?!'

"Waah! Tanjiro!" Zenitsu cuddles to me and shakes me while he cries with runny nose.

"I thought you're dead! You fainted flat! We shouldn't have shared the onigiri! You must have been very hungry!"

Feeling bad that I made him worried, I smiled at him hoping he would calm down.
"N-not really this is my new normal...I guess." Scratching the back of my head to check any lump, thankfully none.

I check the box that has been at my side. Zenitsu seems to have removed the box from me so that my body can rest at the gentle grass. 'Nezuko must be asleep.'

"*sniffs*...What do you mean?" Zenitsu wipes off his runny nose and tears.

He seems to have gained composure, and by the looks of him...maybe it wont be bad to share a little about myself.

"You see, I have some ghost stuffs going on. You may not believe me but...am suffering from headaches from a distant soul." My earrings jangle as I made a movement to sit properly.

Zenitsu who had unreadable expression simply told me.

"I believe you. I mean your heart doesn't lie...I hear it. Also demons exist surely ghost too!"

Hearing that Zenitsu didn't doubt me, I wanted to end the conversation at that.

"Thank you Zenitsu."

"Hehehe..."

After this, Zenitsu and I were told by the reporting crow to defeat the demon who trapped people in his house. That is where we met Hashibira Inosuke.

"What are you doing?!" I yelled at him, the sight of Zenitsu beaten up face with blood and how he was protecting the box of Nezuko!

"Isn't obvious? I'm gonna slay the demon in that box...! This Hashibira Inosuke will become the strongest demon slayer by killing all of the demons! Gyahahah!"
Zenitsu sniffs and tried to speak even though he was trembling in pain.

"Tanjiro! I protected it! Because you said this is precious than your life...!"

My heart was touched.

"Zenitsu..."

"Shut your crap!" The person hiding in his boar mask kicks Zenitsu again in the face so violently.
"GUAH!"

Meeting Inosuke. was an additional headache to my hurting head.

"FIGHT ME!"

My blood boiled and attacked him.

"WILL YOU BEHAVE ALREADY!?"

Throb...))

Even though my head already hurts and am frankly exhausted with broken ribs, I ended up doing it.

"STOP IT!"

BONK!

Crack.
Head butting him.

"HIS SKULL CRACK?! TANJIRO? INOSUKE? HEEEY!"

Inosuke froze and collapsed.

We were told to rest at the Wisteria mansion for recovery.

.

.

.

.

.

.
Inosuke is peculiar one. However even though he was strange...he was quick on making me off guard when he asks.

"Hey you, does your head hurts a lot?"
"Eh?"

Still in wisteria mansion resting, Inosuke had his masks even though he really had a pretty face he refuses to show it less and less.
I was not planning to piss him off or to tease him, but I cannot help but ask back.

"Are you... worried about me?"
Inosuke, even with mask I can tell he had blushing cheeks.

"D-dumbass! I'm just checking how weak you are so that I can fight you!" He lifted his fist. "FIGHT ME!" I laughs.

"Pff...hahaha~"
"W-what is it?!"

I smiles to thank him. "I appreciate it."

I look at the night sky, while behind us Zenitsu is flirting with my sister...Nezuko is fine, she was listening to Zenitsu's conversation so I let it be. It can train Nezuko to understand other human being than I..is a huge help of comprehension.

Now I talked to Inosuke what I really feel right now without lies. "Inosuke...every time my head hurts, I remind myself that those things is not enough to defeat a real man." Remembering what Sabito taught me, what Makomo...Urokodaki-san and what that Demon Slayer spared our life for...

"I won't waste it."

The wind blows and Inosuke is visibly bored.

"Ah-huh...I do not get it, so am sleeping." He walks away.

I simply had a small smile and I thought of it dearly.

"Tomioka-san is his name if I recall right...?" Every time I close my eyes and chant his name...a mysterious field of blue flowers illuminated by the moonlight resurfaces in my sight. Strange as if I met him before than the snowy day.

"Whatever it is...probably another 'dreams' father meant." Shaking my head and slapping my cheeks. "Do not loose Tanjiro! Do your best!"

Such memories of past...I cannot let it eat me! For Nezuko! And to kill...him!

'Little bit I know that it was consuming me rapidly...'

Anyone's POV

'I actually don't know why I condemn him to death...all I know back then, I was just really jealous. Just pure rage of jealously. Even though he gave up so much...I was irrational at that time. Deep inside somehow I kinda regretted it and wonder how things would turn out if only...I was a bit more patient?'

Opening his eyes that is buried in the past memories a voice boomed in his ears.

"Muzan-sama? Did you have another nightmare about the breath of the sun user?" Mysterious, composed, grim, serious and yet somewhat honorable, Kokushibou is a serious person who loves to fight, and never plays around.

"Kokushibo..."

Formerly Tsukiguni Michikatsu, now named as Kokushibo. He is the most loyal enforcer of Muzan's Upper Moon system. Maybe because of his history relationship with his prince whose now his king in Heian period till Taisho.

His undying love for him still exist.

"Kokushibo, just because you are my number one Twelve Kizuki does not mean you can invade my private space." Growled by Muzan whose resting at the sofa with unbuttoned shirt. He was just done having a bloody meal it seems.

Casting his gaze at the floor there was a pool of blood and remains of body parts that were half eaten.

Kokushibo can tell Muzan is not on his appetite. Something surely have happend, when he focused on prying he found the reincarnation of Sumiko.

"Forgive me. However, it has been 900 decades. Isn't time for you to move on?"

Despite being a demon, Kokushibou relies more on his swordsmanship and Breath of the Moon techniques rather than using the supernatural Demon Blood Arts. Even so, deep down, he was a broken man who was feared of his own demise and was deeply jealous over Tanjirou Sumiko's survival even with his mark, and he will hunt him down and kill them because of such jealousy.

"Move on? How could I if he keeps getting reincarnated. The fact that I always kill anyone who bares his surname or who happens to be his relative...he keep on existing. I think killing him over and over is not the right option."

Muzan seems to be a cruel lord, however whenever it is Kokushibo he was a bit calm and at least had some tolerance when he runs his mouth.

He was like his advisor.

Tired Muzan, he allowed Kokushibo to keep on talking.

"Then how would you like to deal with the rest of his bloodline?"
Muzan's ears twitch interest and he made an evil smile.

"Simple~ I will torture them,play with them till they are drowned by despair and commit suicide. Or otherwise much better~turn them to demons and feast on them."

However it doesn't seem to be like that to Kokushibo.

After all...the memory of his encounter with Kamado Tanjiro had involved a kiss.

Kokushibo dared to cross the line out of curiosity and concern of such act.
"Could it be...You still have feelings for Sumiko do you Muzan-sama?"

Muzan quickly sent him a death glare, the infinity fortress shakes.

"Speak that name again I will destroy your cell."
Threatened indeed, Kokushibo quickly bowed his rudeness.

"My apologies."

Muzan whose temper went back in check,he clicked his tongue and rolled at the sofa. "Tsk,You know what? You are dismiss."

Without any protest, "Understood." Kokushibo left Muzan's quarters.

Leaving Muzan have deep thoughts as he stared at the ceiling of his room.

'Am still in love with him? Or am deeply scared...that...I will loose?'

But we all know Muzan is prideful.

He will keep denying that his urge to kiss Sumiko's reincarnation was not an act of scaring the boy to eat him. To taste him...instead...
Simply he missed how that person tasted.

'How his lips taste...'

Muzan surely miss it but doesn't want to admit.

'...It was warm.'

Sighing,Muzan left the sofa and shape shifts to his woman form.

"Time to delete any traces of me ever existing in Asakuza tokyo. I cannot afford for Ubuyashiki Kagaya to know where am."

Glaring at the floor. "To think he found me so easily like this...Is fate wanting to play fire again~?"

Muzan knew he should be careful and never play again with fire.

Unless if that fire is weak maybe he can blow him off.

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Muzan had a dream actually after meeting Tanjiro. A dream where him and Sumiko are happy together before it turned into flames of destruction and betrayal.

On the other hand Kamado Tanjiro is on his way to Nagatumo Mountain.

Which will be the last that he can be part of the demon slayers.

'The closer I get to Kibutsuji Muzan happens in that incident...I made a mistake.'

Chapter Text

Anyone's POV

In a place where he stands at the puddle of water. The water pillar knows it is a repeating dream.

'Ahh...This dream again? That person who looks like that kid. I thought to spare because...'

Kring...))

The sound of bells, the image of long red ponytail twirling in the air.
(("Hehe Guren-san!"))

Tanjirou Sumiko happily greets Tomioka Guren whose actually Giyuu.
Giyuu knows it is a dream,it was not the first time anyway. However he couldn't change the flow of the dream, it is like a stage play that he needed to play along.
All he can do is silently talk to himself in his mind.

'It's him,the red head boy with hanafuda earrings. Smiling at me like how Sabito would greet me.'

His sweet giggle...
Pluck...))
He heard the sound of dripping water,it created a ripple on the back of his mind.
In his front though, it is still the priest of fire with meal on table and seems to be asking for more time to spend onto.
(("Would you like to eat with me?"))
His kindness...
Giyuu blushes.
Pluck...))
Again the sound of water?
Or was it blood...?

'My heart is wavering to melt for him.'

Giyuu smiled at him in return,to let him know that he is fine with his invitation to eat.
His lips moved and utter his name.
(("Sumiko..."))
But the dream ended.

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The water pillar slowly open his eyes and realize the moon is up.

Meaning it is tonight, the hunting of demon and yet his mind is still occupied of the priest of fire who was lovely and he cannot help but squint his eyes on the lingering headache.

'Sumiko..?' Giyuu sat's up and clutch his head to recall what dream did he just have. 'Oh right...' He discovered the name of the special boy.

'So his name is...Sumiko?'
But whatever, it is a dream anyway.

"Time to go."

Oyakatta-sama ordered them to save the Mizunoto slayers in Nagatumo mountains since there is an Upper moon.

SLASH!

Swiftly, Giyuu sliced off Rui's neck and he was not an upper moon at all. Just a quick glance at his eyes marked with lower moon.

Giyuu already not interested.

"No..way.."

Is Rui's last words.

On the other side, Tanjiro couldn't believe his eyes to reunite again with the person who spared his and Nezuko's life. With joy twinkling in his eyes,but his broken jaw hurts that he did not want to risk it. '...I-It's Tomioka-san!' His head shouted, maybe Giyuu can hear him! But it was someone else. "B-bond..."

It was Rui's headless body walking towards Tanjiro. Before he even doubted that demon might get revenge, it fell. Tanjiro smell the scent of tragedy and patted Rui's vanishing body to ashes. Giyuu didn't realize yet who was the boy. But he was triggered to see the empathy in the boy's irises that the younger lad even gesture to pat the demon's body.

To see a slayer comforting the lower moon, that is not right. So Giyuu walk towards to Tanjiro and stepped on the clothes of the spider moon.

He spat, "Don't show pity or empathy towards demons. They are monsters." Tanjiro knows he shouldn't argue with the man who save his life twice. However he couldn't stay quite of such rudeness Giyuu displayed. Forgetting the fact his ass was saved, Tanjiro glared up to him and yells.

"Demons used to be humans! Anyone who tramples them for being pitiful creatures! I won't tolerate it!" He even growled. "Grr."

That is the moment Giyuu notice the face was...Tanjirou Sumiko?

'No...it is that boy.' It's Kamado Tanjiro and Kamado Nezuko!
His eyes widen and he almost exclaimed,"You are-" only to feel an insect on her way to kill Nezuko.

CLANG!

So fast, Giyuu deflects her sword with his own blade. Tanjiro did not have time to react to realize he was under attack. Or more like...

"Arara! Tomioka-san~? What do you think you are doing?" The Insect pillar Kochou Shinobu gleefully announce her obvious shock. It finally registered to Tanjiro what is happening now. 'Oh no! Demon slayers! But wait...maybe if Tomioka-san explains to her she would understand!' Out of nowhere the butterfly lady called out to him.

"Hey boya~!"
"Y-yes!?"

Shinobu says with concern but her face looks evil. "Get away from that girl! She is a demon~!" Tanjiro gulps, and dared to rebuttal.

"No! Y-you got it wrong! Wait...yeah! But she is my little sister! Please let her go!" He pleaded. It was no avail though. "Ara~ara! That is very sad! Worry not...I will kill her a poison with instant kill so that she won't suffer." Her sword glimmered with the moonlight, Tanjiro is scared.

"No-"

Good thing Giyuu was here, he spoke with a commanding voice. "Kochou, listen to me. This boy...and her little sister, about them-" but his head throbs.
"Guhh!" Clutching his head, Tanjiro somehow felt like he was looking at a mirror of him. "Huh?" Why is Giyuu's head look like it hurts? Tanjiro calls him.

"Tomioka-san!" The voice of the boy was familiar in Giyuu's blurring vision. "I'm.. f-fine..." he glance behind him to see the face of Tanjirou Sumiko.

"Sumi..." when he blinks,it reverted back to Kamado Tanjiro. "I mean," composing himself. "Tanjiro...?" It was like a question, Tanjiro did not know how to response except... "Eh?"

'No, I shouldn't jump to conclusion that this is some sort of reincarnation.' were Giyuu's thoughts.

Shinobu cleared her throat and answered Tanjiro's puzzled face even though she has no idea what is going on the boy's head. It just felt right to tease them.

"Ara! One of your headaches again!" Then she dashes forward to stab Giyuu. "OPENING!"
Almost stumbling off balance, Giyuu kept his resolve to protect the Kamado siblings and blocked again her attacks.

SLASH!

He even threatens her.

"I won't let you touch them." Shinobu's smiling face turned to serious ones, she was not expecting that.

"To think even with your headache you are still willing to defend him...what is this? Betrayal?" But she smirks again, "Or did you got love at first sight~? Hehe, Tomioka-san!"

Ignoring the obvious trap, Giyuu lowered his voice. "Run." Tanjiro still glancing up, "P-pardon?" Giyuu did not turn his head at all, instead he postured like a wall in between Shinobu and Tanjiro as he repeated.

"If you can move, even if you cannot, run for it!"

Tanjiro almost felt like he was about to cry when he heard such sacrifice to buy time...

'No...this is betrayal to the demon slayers! Just...for us...!?'

"G-Giyuu...san?" He wanted to protest,yet Giyuu scared him off with an angry yell.
"NOW!"
Immediately Tanjiro rose up and carried Nezuko away. "R-ROGER!"

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Getting out of the pillar's sight, Tanjiro's broken jaw hurts like hell and he was out of breath.

"Hahh-hahh..!" His mind is going crazy from the events of suddenly being treated like an enemy when that demon slayer girl named 'Kochou' did not even felt conscience to kill Nezuko when she found out it was his sister. 'Those people, a demon is a demon to them!' Not Tanjiro or course.

Still running.

'Why? Why did it became like this?'

He grabbed the box of Nezuko and did not stop running despite the heaviness.

"Hahh..hahh..."

His feet had run faster when he heard some search parties!
"Chase him and his demon sister! Hurry!" Glancing behind him there were bunch of demon slayers chasing him. "Shit...!"
Because he panics, he run more faster than ever that they are almost flying.

"Nezuko bare with it...!" Nezuko's hair all messed up by them running wild. Nezuko though didn't really care.

"Mmmm..?"
Her big brother's mind is in a debate.

'Does this mean I have to quit the Demon Slayer corps!?'

They are almost out of the forest or going deeper, Tanjiro did not plan well where they were headed.
He looks down at Nezuko whose behaving herself in his arms. "I'm sorry Nezuko..." he apologizes to her.

"I couldn't hide your existence...If only I was strong enough they wont discover you were in that box!"

That was the mistake, Tanjiro slipped off.

"Waaah!"

It was like a cliff, but below the visible tree trunks. Still...this height. 'Oh no! Am...dead! When Giyuu-san made an effort to save me-'
Nezuko leaps and grows bigger and embraced him. "Mmmh-mmh!"

Gawking, "What the?! Nezuko got bigger-" Tanjiro recalled the snowy day that Nezuko tried to eat her. 'Oh right! She did got bigger on her first conversion!'
Determination to survive, he commanded his demon sister. "Nezuko! Make sure we land carefully!" Nezuko does understand and made a nod. "Mmhp!"

As they fall, Tanjiro remembered something.

His new friends.

Hashibira Inosuke and Agatsuma Zenitsu, he won't see them again...more like they will be his enemies from now on.

'Goodbye...Inosuke, Zenitsu...! I'm sorry if I couldn't properly part ways...I hope you guys will be okay.'

Feeling the tree leaves.
"Ghhh...!"
They landed.

Everything went dark.

...

Tanjiro's POV

'Ahh...am dreaming again?'

There he is...Sumiko.

The ghost of hanafuda earrings.

(("Priest Guren!"))

He looks so happy when he spoke to the man who I thought was Giyuu-san. However he looked more older than the Giyuu-san I have known.

Especially the clothes matches with Sumiko's attire. They were wearing priest robes with their own colors to display which god do they serve.

Of course it is not Giyuu-san, after all the man who looks like him had a small smile on his face. I cannot imagine a smile on his stoic face...but I do hope to see it someday.
(("Sumiko...Good morning."))
Both of the ghost in the past sat and eat their meal with friendly conversation.
Until a very angry voice roared and stopped the two on talking.

(("Sumiko!"))
Even though the other voice is mad, still cheerful Sumiko acknowledge the other's presence.

It was the black haired man with a very long curly hair tied at the the ends of his waist. He wore a royal outfit. I still have no idea what year is this, but everything looks very ancient.
(("Oh there you are Mu...sama!"))

The name is still cutting off every time Sumiko will say the man's name.

Sumiko's sweet giggle made me glared at the pale man whose angry at Guren...?

I heard it was Guren.

(("Didn't I told you to get to my room as soon as possible?! Why are you idling here!"))

The mysterious man scolded Sumiko who looks hurt.
(("W-what? Why are you so mad Mu-"))

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((Gasp))

But I woke up without even finishing the dream, unconsciously my hand jerks up to reach him. "Mu...sama!"

Only to see a blinding light. "Eh...?"

I clutch my head and it covered my eyes whose trying to focus it's vision.
The sunlight is blinding me, wait... 'Morning...?' I scanned around and sat's up quickly, because I did not saw her! "Nezuko!?" I was scared to death. "Nezu-" then I spot the box just behind me, we were under the shades of the tree. I sighed in relief and pats the box, thinking it can comfort Nezuko.

"...Thank goodness you are safe!" Who knows if she was awake, I doubt she is.

Understanding she is asleep inside the box, my body whose numb suddenly felt the sting of my wounds that Rui inflicted through slicing.

"O-ow...my body hurts." I hissed and noticed that my right hand is holding my broken blade. "My nichirin blade is broken." another heavy sighed, I push my back to relax at the tree trunk and stared at the blue sky.

Whoosh~

The wind was relaxing enough for me to get a grip on myself. The clouds were moving with destination or do they?

"Where am suppose to go now?" I ask nobody,I was asking myself.

Still patting the box beside me, an idea crossed my mind. 'Should I return to Urokudaki-san?' But I realize that was an awful plan. Shaking my head, "No,no...he will be in danger if they are hunting for me."Deciding it is enough for relaxation, I put my box backpack and stood with tired legs. "Let us go...Nezuko."

I slowly walk towards the open field.

Who knows how many time or hours passed? My mind was drifting to the dream I had instead of the situation that am no longer a demon slayer.

'That dream...as I thought Giyuu-san look familiar. A man who looks like him in my dreams...In...Sumiko's memories.'
I copied what Sumiko said, "Priest Guren..." I breaths his name and somehow it made me smile.

I feel protected.

Noticing the sun had become sunset.

I glance at the orange clouds, still walking with them with no destination...Another great idea popped in my mind!

"Maybe! I should ask for Tamayo-san's hospitality!" Sounds great but there is a problem. Immediately I dropped that idea because"...Yushiro-kun's cat isn't here."
Sighing at my failed ideas. "It only appears whenever I kill a demon..." but my blade is broken. I wouldn't wish to encounter any demon for the meantime. "I can't survive like this." Who knows if Nezuko is awake, I still wanted to apologize. After all she was my only companion on this road.

"Sorry Nezuko, looks like we have to ask spare change in that city."
I look straight ahead, there is actually a noisy city that you can spot.

The night approaches and I was desperate to live with my little sister.
"The red light district."
I moved ahead and entered the place of suppose to be dangerous night life.

...

Anyone's POV

Kibutsuji Muzan he was the lord of demons. Just now he murdered all of his lower moons when Rui died.

The news was not long transmitted in his mind. Rui was killed by a pillar who looks familiar. Muzan thought he saw that face before but he was not important either way.

Right now he was here in Red light district. After Kamado Tanjiro discovered him at Asakuza Tokyo, Muzan went to hiding in his infinity fortress. He did not want Kagaya to find him whereabouts since he was scared of pillars. Pathetic as it sounds, it matters not to Muzan.

'I must survive.'
He learned from Yoriichi not to mock pillars or think lightly of them.

The scar is still there, whenever he transformed to his original form it was there.
What an ugly scar!

"Tsukihi! Another cup please!" The drunkard client said, interrupting Muzan's thoughts. He can shape shift,not only his appearance even his voice.

"Ara~you love liquor so much. You gonna get drunk!" He said in his woman voice. He can speak on his normal manly voice, he just did that to his lower moons before he slaughtered them. Ahh, except one demon name Enmu. Muzan spared his life and throw him somewhere to get stronger by eating more humans. "Hehe! Am not *hics* drunk~!" The man claims, Muzan deep inside is disgusted but he had no choice but to continue the act of being a wonderful lady in this sex and sin place.

"There~there~" pretending to be cheerful, Muzan ditched his pretend family in Asakuza Tokyo. He intend to eat them before he leaves,however somehow he did not have the appetite to do so.

This is Muzan, he is cruel but at the same time he doesn't give a damn on someone.

He is the type of person who wont bother punishing you unless worth of his attention.
That is proven to the low level demons he created, he could have killed them but he let them roam freely city to village and mountains.

Even though they were useless.

As long as they are causing trouble to demon slayers who cares?
Also he knew Nezuko was not under his control but she let her fight with her brother.

Because Muzan doesn't really care, that is not his goal.

'My goal is to find the blue spider lily...to conquer the sun.'
His thoughts were done when the man went flat and very drunk at the floor.

"Ara~" his woman voice suddenly reverts to his original voice with the sound of death. "If he went missing nobody will look for him."

He stands there, gazing down the his food. "After all~" his hand transform to a scary monster that can swallow the human whole. "Nobody likes you."

His eyes seized and that's it.
No scream, the man was asleep.
Muzan swallowed him whole with no blood dripping.

Simply as that he was done eating.

"I won't bother to eat him if he was not a Marechi." Turning his back as if nothing happend...
Yes, that man had a marechi blood. Muzan wanted to devour him so he tricked him to drink and play with 'her'.

It was worth it, with this he won't have to be hungry for a while. He can build his new identity here as a wonderful head entertainer.

Muzan did not need to do effort to fuse here. Because his upper moon demon named Daki cleared the path for him to become the mama-sang in a certain household for prostitute. Muzan is a classified as highest and so is Daki. They can boss people around without much work.

"Good eve Tsukihi-sama." The girls bowed at him and he bowed back, "Good eve." He lied that he cared about that. Not much to say, Muzan quickly walks away and entered his room. "Rui is dead." Muzan sats at the pillow on his room. "All the lower moon has been erased." He ponders, "From now on am Lady Tsukihi the head of this bar." He made a smug at the mirror he was facing all this time as he speaks.

The beautiful lady Muzan acts like a witch in the mirror when he asks. "Looks like am indeed perfection~? Yes am." Muzan likes to be called handsome and beautiful.
He was a sucker for praise and compliments.

But then, someone bothered his peace.

"Please help!" A voice of a young boy.

"Hm?" Usually Muzan doesn't give a damn, but he was curious why a boy would say 'help'. It was coming from his room's backyard. Muzan opens his door.
This side of door is where the open garden of his backyard is, the moment he opened it his world stopped. As if his blood run out cold.

There he is...is fate being a bully?

Like they say the person you want to avoid the most, is most likely you will cross paths.

Tanjiro looks like shit by his beaten appearance. He had Kamado Nezuko at his arms. It looked like they were in trouble. Tanjiro noticed the sliding door was opened, at first he didn't pay attention to the 'woman'. He hurried to run forward and gestured to give Nezuko to her care.

"E-excuse me!" He was pleading, he had terrible sweat and by the looks of it his jaw and probably other parts of his body are broken bones.

"Please!" Again he said, Muzan blinks and looks at him dumbfounded when he bothered to explain briefly his situation why he had such a desperate yell.

"Me and my sister are being chased...! At very least please hide my sister...!" He placed unconscious Nezuko at the flooring of Muzan's room.

It finally registered to Kibutsuji Muzan who was this boy. 'Sumiko's reincarnation! Kamado...Tanjiro!'

Almost, almost Muzan's nails grow...He was going to attack him in self defense.
But then again Tanjiro said it. "I will pay you back! Please let my sister stay here! I will be back!"

What...?

'Wait...he does not recognize me?' From the memories of the demons Tanjiro slain,he had a kin of smell. Muzan is wondering why Tanjiro is not able to sniff his scent as a demon when he did traced him in Asakuza Tokyo.

That is where he noticed.

Tanjiro's jaw is not the only broken in his face. 'Hm?' Still not saying anything, lady Muzan stared at Tanjiro's nose.

'Ahh, I see...his nose is injured during his battle with Rui. But if I treat him he will find out my identity. Which leads to another shape shifting...it will be bother some if he finds out too quickly. I know, I will use the drug Daki had shared with me...I will put that to his nose for him not to recognize scent just like in Asakuza tokyo...' His nails shortens back, Tanjiro did not even sense that nor notice. He was busy on his surrounding. 'What an idiot is he?' Well this is going to be fun.

Deep inside Muzan is smirking,he used his woman voice to trick Tanjiro more.

"Alright, I can keep her."
Hearing the woman said it without any reaction of fear, Tanjiro smiles brightly before he hurried to run away from this backyard. "Thank you!"

Badump...))

Somehow, Muzan's heart fluttered.

'How familiar...' because it looked like Sumiko's smile of gratitude, it was annoyingly good.
"I will be back!" Says Tanjiro as he run the opposite way.
With no effort, Muzan lifted sleeping Nezuko inside and put her to bed.

Shortly Muzan heard loud voices what it seem to be lower rank of demon slayers.
"He went over there! Chase him! The traitor!"

'Traitor?' Muzan repeated in his mind and walks back to the backyard, the door is still open. His eyes narrowed when indeed there is at least two weakling demon slayer running around this red night district.

But this is a mystery. Why is Kamado Tanjiro called traitor?

When Rui died, Muzan had no idea what happend next. And of course, he is about to find out further if Tanjiro will really come back for her sister. "If he does not comeback I will just devour her useless little sister." Even though that sounds scary, Muzan is smiling.

He was excited to mess with the reincarnation of Tanjirou Sumiko.

"Very interesting~"
He just hope he won't be bored.

...
The night is still long if you stay at red light district.
After all it is very noisy like a festival is always here. Not only cheers of drunk people,moaning of cat in heat...as well arguments of some no classed customers and competitors.

Muzan is patiently waiting at the backyard, sitting and gazing at the moonlight.
Finally he heard the grass,someone stepping on them.

"There you are boya~" in his woman voice he greeted the rag rat looking Tanjiro in his demon slayer uniform with torn up haori.
He was panting and seems to have run around the city. "I-I'm back..."

Tanjiro slowly approached Lady Muzan who did not display suspicion. Tanjiro actually wonders why but he was more thankful for granted that this woman is kind enough to keep Nezuko for him despite not understand why they were being chased.

"Your sister is inside." Muzan leads him inside, "Follow me."
Too tired to even find it suspicious, Tanjiro nods weakly but he had that smile again.
A thankful smile. "T-thanks!"

Going inside, Muzan closed the sliding door. Tanjiro forgot his manners that his slippers are dirty. He did not take them off, he runs to Nezuko's sleeping figured and hugs her. "Nezuko!" Crying and idiotically unarmed.

Muzan watched how Tanjiro loved his demon sister. "Thank goodness you are alive...!" He sobs and rubs his cheeks to Nezuko's cheeks. Kamado Nezuko is asleep for some weird reason that Muzan himself never encountered.

'A demon whose not violent.' Nezuko is not even an upper moon to even gain her own will. This is indeed going to be an experiment for Muzan.
Also... 'To break him slowly~'

Who said Muzan is not planning to hurt Tanjiro? Of course he would. He is ought to avenge himself. Tanjiro will compensate for Sumiko's betrayal to him that he pretended not to get over.

Clearly he couldn't moved on.

"U-um...!"

Lady Muzan blinks, and found Tanjiro on his front. "Sorry!" Tanjiro crouches down, before he can even stop him...Tanjiro is doing a dogeza?

'Huh?'

Muzan did not understood, so he waited for Tanjiro to explain himself. "Sorry for the trouble of invading your property and forcing my sister to be hide up here! A-and...my dirty slippers..." Muzan looks at the floor and saw the floor has been dirtied.

Muzan hates dirt.

Even though he did not mean to snap, even though he planned to be nice...Lady Muzan scolds Tanjiro.

"Clean it!" More like it was an order. Tanjiro flinched and immediately took off his haori and begun rubbing the floor. "Y-yes mam!"

Amusing.

Lady Muzan is amuse, Tanjiro is a good boy.

As Tanjiro cleans the floor with his haori his ribs hurt. "Ow!" Now he curled at the floor. "Ow..ow.." Muzan didn't look concerned, Tanjiro is busy hurting that he did not notice the woman had not moved at all to ask if he was okay. Then Muzan realize.

'Oh right...normally at this situation...' he should act like a human being whose concerned from an injured person!

"Hey...you okay?" Lady Muzan said softly and even crouches down.

Tanjiro squinting his eyes before they flutters open. That is the time Tanjiro realized the woman he had ask for help in a whim is stunningly beautiful!

"Wah!" He pulls away from Muzan's gentle pat on his back.

"I-Im okay!" He was blushing. Muzan inner grinning at that,but his real face right now is trying to copy Tamayo's frowning face."You are injured. Let us patch you up." He said. Tanjiro whose heart had calm down from the sudden close contact with a pretty lady like 'her'... Tanjiro was obedient.

"Yes please..."

...

"Ow!"
"Stop moving."
Just as planned, Muzan put the drug on Tanjiro's nose without him even realizing.

Same time, our lady Muzan is irate at how Tanjiro would raise his voice and wiggle his body every time he tried to put some disinfecting medicine and bandages all over his body.

"S-sorry!" Muzan rolled his eyes and finishes the touches. "That should do it." Tanjiro looks at the oval shape mirror that has been on the table while Lady Muzan was patching him. 'I look like a mummy...' his face had bandages to keep support of his broken jaws and his broken nose is covered. Well, he can't complain on his appearance for now. Deciding to open up a conversation.

"U-um...?" He coughs. Muzan whose visibly furrowing eyes, reverts back to emotionless ones. "What is it?" Tanjiro sits properly and faced 'her'.

"My name is Kamado Tanjiro and..." referring to Nezuko whose still asleep. "She is my little sister Kamado Nezuko." sheepishly rubbing the back of his head, "M-may I know your name is...?" Muzan almost forgot his goal. 'Ohh...' he awed. 'He almost sounds like him...' right now he was seeing Sumiko and not Tanjiro.

"Sorry!" Tanjiro says, "If you do not want to give your name to a stranger!"

He looks like a dog who made a mistake.
Lady Muzan ended up laughing. "Pff..ahaha~"

Muzan had never laugh normally. Usually he just mocks people and act happy. But this is ridiculously funny.

"Tsukihi." He starts, "Am Lady Tsukihi. The head of this bar." he ended.

It was a brief explanation. The name Tsukihi is actually derived from his old name Tsukahiro. But this time he did not use any surname, to hide that he is related to 'Kibutsuji'. Because he was him. Right now Muzan had no family to playhouse. Instead he choose to be a woman who sells her body and feast on customers. Because of course, Demon Slayer corps wouldn't have idea that he can be a woman and hide in a place such as this.

Tanjiro nods, but his smile drops as he confesses.

"Lady Tsukihi...about earlier, I said am being chased..." Tanjiro actually debated if he should say it.
Glancing at Nezuko who has bamboo gag.

'It doesn't look normal!'

Clenching his hakama pants as his demon slayer uniform is placed by his side with his torn up dirty haori.

For some weird reasons, Tanjiro wanted to explain it.

'Its ok to say it right? Since am no longer a demon slayer...more on,she won't believe me anyway. Might as well use it!' With his courage he continued.

"D-do you believe in demons Lady Tsukihi?!" Lady Muzan paused, he thought Tanjiro found out him already..., "I'm not sure." Was his first lie to the boy.

Tanjiro is determined to tell more. "A-actually am a demon slayer! B-but..." he was trembling a bit. "My sister...she became a demon, and to stop her from devouring any humans." Sadness reflected on his eyes that Muzan followed where he was looking.

It was distant.

"The bamboo gag stops her from that act." Lady Muzan was silent, Tanjiro already scold himself. 'Now she thinks you are crazy!' It is not like he never warns people about demons. Back at the swamp demon, only one person believes demon exist because his fiance was taken.
It is just Tanjiro didn't want this woman to question further.

"By demon slayers...hmm so you are wanted?" Lady Muzan hummed in a guest to summarize his story.

Tanjiro shake his head violently."I-I'm not a criminal or anything!" He proceed to shook his head.

"My only sin was.. I kept my sister alive...they wouldn't understand." Muzan still sound un-interested, but Tanjiro is not looking at 'her'.

"Hmm fine. Let us say I believe your story." Another lie Muzan made with not much effort. Muzan did not need to sympathize, he just had a blank expression and contemplating eyes. Tanjiro did peek at Tsukihi's eyes. The lady looked bored. "So where are you going now?" Was her question. Tanjiro couldn't answer. He slump his shoulders. "I..I actually have no idea." Then his stomach made a sound.

GROWLS~

Red face.

Lady Muzan chuckles.

"Ara~ara Tanjiro-kun. What a hungry boy~" he teased him as 'lady Tsukihi'.
Tanjiro admits in embarrassment. "Y-YES!"

Lady Muzan went to get some 'human' food and didn't comment much about the siblings.
Kamado Tanjiro doesn't have any idea that he was with the man he hated.

After having a nice meal, lady Muzan told him to take a bath tomorrow since he still had open wounds. So Tanjiro sleeps at the futon next to Nezuko. Lady Muzan told Tanjiro to rest because 'she' till have customers and work to do. Not asking what kind of work, Tanjiro drifted to sleep without dreams.

The next day...it was morning of course. But lady Tsukihi was nowhere in sight.

Tanjiro found a note that is most likely from lady Tsukihi since there was a food tray and it says 'take a bath'.

"Tsukihi...san." Tanjiro had not question yet this hospitality. He will do anything to survive and keep Nezuko safe at all cost.

Tanjiro had stayed at the room and sometimes daydreamed at the backyard. It was weird no one is visiting Tsukihi's room.

'Maybe she ordered them not to visit her because she had strangers occupying the room?'

At morning, Red light district is very quiet. Everyone is asleep at morning but not a night.

"Aaah~" Tanjiro stretches up and closed the sliding door. He is done idling in the backyard and went back to Nezuko whose now inside the box.
"From here on...I need to hide." He says to the box. "Do not go anywhere ok?" Smiling at the box, he imagines that Nezuko is asleep or awake.

To be honest she had been asleep. It's not like it was the first time she went to sleep. Tanjiro just hopes it won't take another 2 years for her to wake up.

"Nezuko."

.

.

.

.

.

Night came...

The place is noisy.

"Welcome back!" Tanjiro greets lady Muzan who entered their room. "I see you still wearing that hakama pants." Muzan pointed out how he dislike it. "Here."

Placing a checkered green and black kimono, Tanjiro's eyes widen. "Eh?" Tsukihi grins, "Your clothes." When Tanjiro unfolds it, it was a clothing for girls...!
"B-but why this?" Even though it is rude to say that, Tanjiro is confuse why lady Tsukihi will make him wear female clothing.

Muzan narrowed his eyes before they closes. He explained to the stupid former demon slayer.

"You said you were being chased~"

Tanjiro nods and is still puzzled.

So Muzan proposes his plan. "Men is not allowed in here unless you are a customer." He stated, "Also, I'm not keeping you for free. You have to work." When Tanjiro heard the word 'work'.

'Wait...work? Me...? But this place is...' this place is red light district.

It clicked to him, immediately Tanjiro was burning shyness and covered his body that is still wrapped like a mummy.

"Y-you mean s-selling my body?!"

Lady Muzan chuckles, "Silly~" he lifted Tanjiro's chin and breath softly with teasing evil smirk.

"You are just going to cross-dress. But by work, you will be a maid here." To hear that he won't have to do intercourse or entertain people. Relief was there. "I-I see..." Accepting the kimono that almost identical to his haori.

Tanjiro is done putting them on.

Lady Muzan is in a good mood, this Tanjiro is funny. More funny when he speaks.

"T-Tsukihi-san..." he shyly fidgets. "I-If am going to pretend as a girl..." wetting his lips. "Does that means I have to change name? My name is Tanjiro and that did not sound like a girl..." For a second, Muzan is lost.

Tanjiro stared at 'her' waiting for a response.

Kring...))

"A name huh..." Muzan did not meant to say it out loud. He was not ready to try it but his red lips utter the name that Tanjiro heard before.

More like, the name he was told.
A soul's name from past.

"Sumiko..."
"Eh?"

Muzan had a blank face when he said it. "How about Sumiko...? Tanjiro-kun..."

Tanjiro frozed.

Kring...))

"Sumiko?" He repeated after lady Muzan. Even though it is obvious that this is some sort of coincidence, and it is not rare to have same names...
Tanjiro cannot comprehend why of all names that is suggested to him would be that person's name.

(("My name is Sumiko...Nice to meet you 'me'."))

"Tanjiro-kun?"

"Ah!"

"I guess that was too common." Lady Muzan ponders more. "I guess we can hold your new name for a while-" Feeling bad for the woman who is doing an effort to hide his existence from the demon slayers. Tanjiro steps forward. "Its ok!" He says, making Muzan paused. "Sumiko is fine! I take it Tsukihi-san!"

'...What am doing?' Muzan asks himself,but he kept his act. "It's settled." Lady Muzan smiled. Just some memory he had a long time ago.

[["I would like to play in the sun with you Muzan-sama~!" ]]

[["Are you being serious?"]]

[["Yes! So If I saw again a shooting star...I will wish for it three times! Until then, get well!"]]

((memory from chap2))

Even though it was an act, somehow saying that name no longer holds a grudge.
More like a distant friend he always wanted to be with.

"Sumiko."
"Yes, Tsukihi-san!"

...And that's it. Lady Muzan helps Tanjiro and Nezuko to stay at his care for the meantime.
Tanjiro pretended as Sumiko for now to hide from Demon slayers.

He was wanted.
Just like how Muzan wanted to keep him like an idiot he is.

Kibitsuji Muzan, lady Muzan or basically Lady Tsukihi had no idea the simple act to toy the boy will also play him over too.

'His name is truly cursed.'

Chapter Text

Anyone's POV

The memory of warmth continues until it withers.

"Please help!" when he shouted in someone's backyard. A figured moved and it opened the sliding door.

'It was my shed of light in the darkness.'

A beautiful woman in an elegant black kimono with mysterious random flower patterns contrast to the color of fabric, the woman was pale yet the red lipstick and long eye lashes were very endearing.

Especially the curly locks with a bun behind and pearls arranged to be an accessory.

A very beautiful and intimidating woman.

'If Tsukihi-san did not open the door that night...am sure I would have accidentally killed some demon slayers whose ought to kill Nezuko.'

For Tanjiro, Tsukihi was his savior.

If only he knows...that person is also the one who slaughtered his family and turned Nezuko into a demon. The fact that he is now in this situation...ironically laughable.

The illegal fire starts to play fate.

Kring...))

The sound of bells.

Inside a memory, Tanjiro is confuse that he was facing the mysterious man that Sumiko has been talking to.

Inside his dreams he can smell this person.
He smell's nice but same time he had this scent that he won't live long.

(("Sumiko...I love you."))

The black haired man said in his elegant black kimono's with red spider lilies design. It is similar to what he saw recently in the outside world.

Maybe coincidence.

(("I love you to...Mu...sama")) Says Sumiko.

'Wait no...'

As said Tanjiro was facing the man.

'Am...playing as Sumiko?!'

Tanjiro looks at his hands,they were indeed holding to the pale man's hands with comfort.
Holding hands with this man.

'W-what is this?!'

Tanjiro inside the dream is forced to play in Sumiko's body but his mind was yelling to escape.

'Wait, wait, wait!'

He started to panic because...the man just cup his cheeks...!
He felt it...his face getting cared at.

It is ticklish yet it felt like he was loved and possesses.
The man had a smirk on his lips just now from his blushing face.

(("Sumiko...you are only mine ok?"))

'N-no hold up...! Aren't you and I a guy?!'

It was no use.

Tanjiro's body in Sumiko's appearance had willingly lift his chin and even tiptoed.

(("Yes...am your priest so, you own me."))

Again his lips said yet he was mentally embarrass!

'Did my lips said that!?'

Yes he said that he loved him back like...why is this happening is making Tanjiro so confuse.

Badump, badump.

'S-stop...'

The man zoomed his face to his, Tanjiro's heart went wild.

'W-were going to k-k-kiss!?'

With all mental force to change the dream it failed miserably.

'Noooo...!'

His lips met the man's kissable yet frail lips.
Tanjiro thought he tasted it.

'Mu...sama...!'

He gasp his eyes.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

"Tanjiro-kun."

And went back to reality that he is a pretend maid girl in red light district under the name of Kamado Sumiko.

Realizing that lady Tsukihi is angry, quickly he responded like a fearful servant. "Y-yes!" Stiffing body...

Muzan marched forward with an angry look and raised one of 'her' eyebrows. 'Her' voice was darkening.

"Were you even listening to what I had instructed you?"

Tanjiro couldn't register that easily to reality, he did not mean to say "A-ahh?" That Muzan's arching eyebrows had become frowns and now they were glaring.

"So you were not listening."

'Eeek!'

Lady Tsukihi's eyes were already threatening enough to let himself know that he should keep his act all together or he will be kick out.

"F-forgive me Tsukihi-san!" Bowing his head, "I was dozing off! Can you...please tell me again?" Then looking up with a dork face. "Hehe..."

'Dork.'

Tanjiro is a dork and so is Sumiko.

Muzan's angry eyes soften a bit before it immediately became bored. Lady Tsukihi is the opposite of Tsukahiro. By becoming Tsukahiro, he was smooth criminal with a smile. An image of a loving father.

However this time, in his new shape shift identity. Tsukihi is a strict mamasang who rarely smiles unless flattered. Even if 'she' greets the entertainers, the smile is rarely there.

Usually just flat pouty lips.

Tsukihi only smiles or more like it was a grin of the devil. The whole bar is actually afraid of her yet respect on how stunningly she was the fairest of all. Something about lady Muzan is attractive, superiority? Like you want to bow down. Of course there are rumors that Daki on the other bar is more beautiful, however Muzan does not particularly cares. He just needed to live on this era as Tsukihi as long as his identity is not exposed by any demon slayer.

Having to check his temper, Muzan decided to let Tanjiro off the hook by simply stating a quick review of what the hell he was blabbering while this boy is in cloud nine. "I said, you need to wear make up to hide that nasty scar in your forehead and we need to check your legs if they are hairy. We need to remove it. Also...at all cost you are not allowed to speak unless you have good voice acting skills to sound like a girl."

"E-eh? I cannot speak...that's hard." Almost pouting like a puppy, Tanjiro realize his faults.

'Well that is given, since am a guy. Am going to be like Nezuko?'

Trying to devote himself to this life, Tanjiro lift his face with a "Mmmph!" Muzan in the other hand arch again an eyebrow.

"What?" Tanjiro looks stupid.

Tanjiro scratch his cheeks with and a crack smile to explain his idiotic behavior just now. "I-I mean you said I cannot speak s-so..."

Muzan tried to control his chuckle, instead 'she' goes towards him. "How about we give you some voice lesson~" slowly his slender female finger's with red nail polish made it's way to tease Tanjiro's neck. "Let us make you scream like a girl. Like...how about now? Tanjiro-kun~"

Tanjiro gulps and shut his eyes with pleading. "S-spare me!"

He find it dangerous to be teased like that.

'How cute.' Lady Muzan smirks before they reverted back to the usual un caring face. "Alright, we can stop messing around. I'm serious, nobody should know your gender. It is a violation here to keep a man unless it is a customer." Lady Muzan turned his back, then shot him a look with a somewhat perverted grinning.

"Unless you want to be my no.1 customer~?"

Tanjiro got super red that he was burning. 'W-what!?' Almost angry he was being tease "I-I would never!" Stomping his feet.

Lady Muzan did not like the over react rejection Tanjiro made.

So Lady Muzan narrowed her eyes again to Tanjirou Sumiko's reincarnation.

"Huh? Are you saying am ugly?"

Tanjiro quickly raised his hands. "N-no! In fact you were so beautiful Tsukihi-san!" Almost feeling his heart mark him as an embarrassment from men. Tanjiro admitted his flaws to Lady Muzan. "I-I don't think I would d-deserve y-you...err..." suddenly Kamado Tanjiro shrinks. Lady Muzan guessed his low self esteem just now. However Muzan sucks at empathy even though he had mastered that for many eons.

Whenever it comes to Tanjiro or Sumiko's reincarnation, he sounds so rude and bossy.

"What are you? A virgin?"
"Eek!"

Seeing the sweat traced to Tanjiro's face, Lady Muzan grinned again. "Oh, so bulls eye." Her eyes listed a lot of evil plans that Tanjiro is able to see through.

"Please don't tease me!"

Seeing the poor boy tremble in his legs with such desperate and pathetic excuses, Muzan thought to mess him slowly.

'Not now...were just beginning this playhouse.'

Reverting back to the grumpy face of Lady Muzan, Tanjiro was dismissed.

"Fine."

When Lady Muzan left, Tanjiro looks behind him where the box of Nezuko is carefully covered by some futon sheets.

Nezuko is inside still asleep and Tanjiro slaps his own cheeks.

"Alright! For Nezuko!"

.

.

.

.

.

.

Outside Lady Muzan's room.

"Sumiko-chan good morning!"
"Mmmh..mmh!"

Is Kamado Tanjiro's profile.

'From this day forward am Kamado Sumiko, a girl who Lady Tsukihi found hungry and homeless with super demure self. To the point of instead speaking, just give people a 'mmm-mmh' is the embarrassing but very smooth white lie we came up with.'

Tanjiro really suck at lying, it gives off his face to be distorted. However it is indeed easy to copy Nezuko not to say anything but to nod-nod to people.

It has been 3 weeks since Tanjiro had arrive here in his green and black checkered kimono that looks exactly like his trademark haori. Then his hair has a sweet ribbon atop ponytail that kinda imitates Nezuko's cute ribbon on her wide forehead.

Then one more thing, Tanjiro is wearing a pale make up and same as everyone he is required with red blood lipstick.

His scar is nowhere to be spotted because of the amazing make up called foundation.
He remembered how lady Tsukihi herself is the one who applied him the make up and even taught him how to do it on his own.

Tsukihi is a busy woman after all.

'I need to do my best!'

...

The night goes by with Tanjiro cleaning dishes, sweeping the floor, massaging some entertainer's tired body from 'activities'. Listening to their mundane gossips and just smiling back with sealed lips like he was mute little girl. Then after a bit of break he would proceed on folding some clothes, swiping wardrobe. Fixing some broke sliding door.

Tanjiro is basically an errand boy, or to say a slave/maid. So far everyone was kind and nobody bothered to question where 'she' was really from. Nobody even criticize his weird Nezuko language.

This nightlife continues to be surprisingly peaceful, and in fact he was kind of enjoying helping everyone out inside the bar.

One problem though. 'My sense of smell is still not back.'

Even though he had no bandages anymore in his body and face...for some weird reason his sense of smell is dull.

He cannot even smell the cigarette or liquor.

'Maybe I have cold...?'

Since he feel fine, he decides to ignore this weird loosing sense of smell thing. I mean there are no demons around...

'Come to think of it, there is not demon incident here?'

That's what he thought.

"Sumiko-chan!"
"Mmmh...?"

Tanjiro was told once by one of the ladies, her name is Koinatsu. She is one of the beauty products here at Red Light District. Fair enough to compete to the no.1 entertainer name Daki. "Come here~"

She giggles, Tanjiro innocently approaches her. Koinatsu is a kind and gracious person, readily thanking her subordinates and awarding them with...

"Want some candy Sumiko-chan? Hehe!" Almost blushing to be treated like a kid, Tanjiro is polite to accept it though. So he nod like Nezuko. "M-mmh..!" Lifting his hands with open palms, gently Koinatsu placed the yellow wrapped candy. "Good girl~!" Then pats his head. 'Ahh.. I somehow feel guilty lying about my gender.'

Yes, she likes giving them candy.

Eating the candy, they stood there for a moment in the hallway as Koinatsu nonchalantly shared to the mute actor.

"You know what...Sumiko-chan, we are all born from the river side, so we understand that probably wherever you came from Sumiko...it must have been very traumatic that you forgot to speak." Well...partly regarding his suddenly slaughtered family... but no.

'My situation is different.'

Because he is not allowed to speak back, Tanjiro stared. "Alright then, see you later. Duty calls~" waving a goodbye, Tanjiro or just nods, copying Nezuko's usual comprehension response but he had a smile on his lips.

Speaking of Nezuko, she still has not woke up. It is starting to gravely worry Tanjiro.

A few hours the dawn is approaching.

Until...it hit him.

'Strange...'

It is morning once more and he found no traces of lady Tsukihi.

Since everyone knows that 'Sumiko the girl' lives here with the permission of lady Tsukihi, Tanjiro dared to ask some ladies who happens to be awake at morning but majority were asleep as logs.

Tanjiro struggled how to ask without actually speaking, so he tried his best on body language by pulling the edge of the woman's haori with a questionable face and frowning eyebrows.

With some, "mmh! Mmph!"

Thankfully they are quick to catch with body language because of their field of work to read someone's thoughts.
You know...how to please and know the customer to trick them into buying them for a night.

"You mean...Tsukihi-sama? Ahh...you wondering where she is right? I mean yeah..to be honest, nobody sees her at all on morning. Tsukihi-sama only appears at night. So am sorry, no one actually knows where she is whenever morning is up. I mean all this time we thought she is locking herself in her room at morning...you know,like everyone else asleep. Because our work is at night!" Said one of the ladies whose in pajamas.

"Mmh..mm.."

Tanjiro visibly thinking. The lady laugh and pinch his cheeks. "Mmh?!"

'Wait my make up...!'

The lady giggles making Tanjiro blush too.

'This place is so dangerous for me!'

Thank goodness he cannot smell them, he would have hit hard in his puberty. "Hehe, Sumiko you really are cute." It worsen when the lady went ahead and smooch his left cheeks a goodnight sleep. "Chu~" Eyes bewildered, 'She kiss my cheek?!' The lady that he forgot the name, she yawns and dismiss herself to go back inside her room.

"I know it is morning, but let us sleep okay? Goodnight...ah, hehe That sounds strange at this light. Have a sweet dreams instead hehe. Later, Sumiko~!"

Now completely alone at morning as everyone went ahead to sleep.
Tanjiro has no idea how to continue the day without anyone to spend time too.

'Why is that...I find it strange?'

...

Frankly Muzan has no idea what the hell he is doing. It is so easy to kill him. It is so easy to attack him.

'He is weak, he has no blade to slay a demon. His demon sister is asleep. He has no friends. He has no one to back him up. Kamado Tanjiro is so easy to break.'

And yet.

"Tsukihi-san, where are you sleeping at morning? I...I looked for you everywhere, you were not sleeping at someone else's room. A-am worried that maybe you are sleeping outside so that I can sleep at your room with my sister..." he was scolded by the boy. Muzan has no idea why is he even letting him talk freely.

'Learn your place servant.' Is what he wanted to say, but Muzan kept his lady Tsukihi act with a sly smirk. "Are you asking me to sleep on the same room as you? Ara~ how bold you are Tanjiro-kun." Getting a flustered face from the growing boy is always worth it. "P-Please don't try to change the subject! Answer me why you were never seen at the morning...you... you are human right?"

Muzan's seven heartbeat almost skip a beat when Tanjiro said it so casually, it bothers him so much how the reincarnation of Sumiko is awfully honest like... it is like back then.

"I know it sounds rude but... Demons was never allowed in sunlight and frankly you...you kind of remind me of those trait. Especially how everyone told me you were never here at morning. You always disappear, why is that?"

Muzan for the first time forgot how to lie. He needed to hurry and make up a story. 'Not now...he must not discover yet who am. If it happens, I have to...'

Kill him?

'Why am hesitating?'

Muzan tried to convince himself that hiding his real identity is for revenge...or is it really?

Perhaps he wanted to stay like back then, even just for a little while.

'I know...'

Lady Muzan spoke softly but her face is unseen from Tanjiro's perspective view. "I have..." slightly touching her own shoulder's to pretend that this is a sensitive topic to share. "...an illness that If the sun hit my skin I can get cancer." Finally Muzan had the courage to face Tanjiro with a straight face.

"It is called an Albino sickness." Tanjiro on the other hand suddenly feel bad. He cannot tell if it was a lie since he cannot smell anything. 'Argh dammit, what did I make a woman say?!' Not knowing how else to response, Tanjiro decided to change the topic. "I-I see...b-but...Tsukihi-san...why did you choose to work here?"

"Hm?"

Still pretending to chill on getting interrogate by Tanjiro. "I mean.. you seem to be very intelligent. You could have work somewhere..."

Muzan literally want to roll his eyes, 'I must keep calm.' Being calm is his tolerance, however somehow...Tanjiro get's on his nerves.

'Stupid reincarnation.'

Lady Muzan accidentally huffs, "I don't have other choice." The dense boy still did not stop pushing more questions.

"Do you have a family...?"
It was so fast and flat response. Lady Tsukihi did not care if this kind of reaction is not normal.

"They are dead."

A simple cold cut.

Tanjiro went silent and stared with clear sky. It was vexing, but Lady Muzan decided to turn the tables to piss the other off.

"What about you?" Muzan expected Tanjiro to be triggered but he had that sad face before they turned into a slight glare.

"T-they are gone too...a demon killed them." Perking up 'her' head, "Really? A demon~ what does it looked like?" Muzan hoped that Tanjiro won't realize yet that he is spending his days and breathing in the same air with him, the murderer himself.

"I-I never saw it myself. Maybe Nezuko did but...the smell, I would never forget it how he smell." Liking the answer, Lady Muzan grinned.

"Hehh~" then 'she' approaches him. Observing up and down, Tsukihi added. "So~ is your nose back in shape? Can you smell anything yet?"

Unaware that this is a critical question, thankfully Tanjiro showed no signs of lie. He was never good at it anyway. "Now you mention I haven't gain back my sense of smell." He says as he rubs his nose to test if he can smell any. Because Muzan is delighted, it just blurt out.

"Good."
"What?"

Good thing Tanjiro was not paying any much attention. "I said nothing." Puzzled, Tanjiro drops it. "O-okay...?" Walking away to the little Japanese table, Muzan points at the food to said table. "By the way, your food is ready. Go ahead and eat." The meal consist fish and rice. Yummy, but Tanjiro couldn't smell if it was good cooked. "T-thank you." When Tanjiro went and sat at the floor to eat, he noticed that Tsukihi is not planning to seat with him.

Usually this means...

"Eh? Aren't you going to eat?" Surprise at his concern, Muzan forgot the common logic. "Huh? What do you mean?" Tanjiro explained to him the fact that...he is actually observing 'her'?! "I-I mean it has been...7-hours straight I did not saw you eat at all."

Frowning, "Mind your own business-" only for the brave reincarnation of Tanjirou Sumiko to pull 'her' wrist to face him. "That's not right! You should eat properly! If you do not eat you will die!"

Lady Muzan's parted her lips with a dumbfounded face. Innerly he cursed, 'Nice, how about I devour you and your sister.' Sarcastically.

However Muzan forgot to control his facial reaction. Tanjiro pouts. "Ah! You are rolling your eyes! Sit down and eat with me!" Pulling her to sit down,

"Let go!" It is no use.

Tanjiro just grab a cup of rice for 'her'.

"Here, eat Tsukihi-san." Then a warm smile.

'Seriously?'

Muzan stared at it and somewhat felt melancholy. 'Ahh...it is the same...he is indeed Sumiko's reincarnation, this feeling...'

It feels like his priest is taking care of him.

How much he missed it but he won't admit it. Meanwhile, Tanjiro's mind is still doubting. 'If she does not eat...it means she is like Tamayo-san! I mean...her eyes are weird to be exact. Even on how pale she is. I know she said it is some albino sickness. But to not see her eat at all...it really bothers me.'

It was a battle of staring contest. Muzan's eyes on the rice bowl and Tanjiro's persistent observing eyes to 'her' appearance.

CLACK...

"Mmmh...?"

Hearing a unlocking sound of a wooden box. Kamado Nezuko from chibi grows into her normal size. Sleepy bamboo girl rubs her eyes before they look to Tanjiro's direction. "Ah! Nezuko! You finally woke up!" Receiving an urgent hug from her big brother. Tanjiro is crying tears of joy. "Thank goodness! Why do you have to scare me for 3 weeks...?!"

Nezuko made a "mmm.." sound and hugs back. Before her irises drops behind Tanjiro.

Alertness.

Kring...))

There is...a demon.

BADUMP!

Kamado Nezuko maybe under spell, even if Muzan is on his humane form. The demon blood that connects them is never a lie.

Shaking.

"Eh?"

Nezuko's blood pumped some veins in her face and her claws automatically sharpens when she found the familiar demon lord.

She started growling. "Rrrr...!" pulling away from the hug, "Wait Nezuko?" Her little sister is angry!?

Muzan is not stupid to realize why Nezuko suddenly became like that. But he needed to lie as usual. "What's wrong with your sister? She is acting like she saw a demon..." Lady Muzan tried to tempt her to attack by that mocking tune with a hint of they are both not humans.

"Nezuko!" But Tanjiro is slow, he did not realize the conversation between Nezuko and Muzan is mutual. Shaking Nezuko whose like a fearful cat hissing at a unseen enemy. "Stop growling at Tsukihi-san! She is the one that helped us! Calm down!" Nezuko starts to take a step forward with her feet, "Wait!" Nezuko was strong and slowly walking towards where Lady Tsukihi is...whose just sitting with the meal they were suppose to share.

"Hurry and put her down Tanjiro-kun." It was a threatening command.

"MrRrrr...!" Nezuko almost leaps, Tanjiro pulls her down to another embrace and they fell to the floor. "Nezuko stop!" Taking a short glance at lady Tsukihi as he is holding Nezuko's desire to attack her for unknown reasons. "I'm sorry! She is usually behave!" He apologizes. 'What the hell is going on? Did the hypnotism Urokodaki-san put had already disappear?! If so, this is bad!' Nezuko jerking her legs.

"Grrr! Rrr! Grhghh!" Deciding to put more force to his arms to bind Nezuko down. "Nezuko stop! She is human don't you see-"

Tanjiro Gasps.

He realize again something. 'Wait up...the spell Nezuko is put on is to see humans as...family...yet...on Lady Tsukihi, she is clearly human yet...Nezuko is...alert and threatened? Could it be...like Tamayo-san...could it be she is also...?'

It was like a horror game, the sound Tanjiro can hear is his heart beat, Nezuko's growling sound then...the seem to be awfully calm lady Tsukihi at her sit even though a demon is just in front of her trying to attack her. There was no fear, as if...she saw a demon before?

Again, Tanjiro doubted.

Tsukihi was never in the morning.
Tsukihi never eats a human food.
Tsukihi has this somewhat mysterious beauty around her like Tamayo did.

Gulping and wetting his lips...Tanjiro dared again. "Tsukihi-san, are you a demon?"

Lady Muzan's eyes widen. 'Did he found out already?' Tanjiro is staring to his eyes. Muzan tried to keep calm and analyze again the situation as 'she' still sitting properly at the meal's view while the former demon slayer is holding off his demon sister.

'Wait...no...he was asking me.'

Lady Muzan's eyes landed to the meal.

'Just do the usual.'

Silently Tanjiro watch Tsukihi took the chopsticks and took a bite on the rice and fish. Muzan gulps it down. It is not the first time he pretend to be able to eat a human food...he always do this, however the effect wont be pleasant later on. He mastered this already, it should make the boy drop his assumptions.

Lady Muzan decided to continue on eating without a word, on the corner of her eyes Tanjiro gawks.

'Ah...? She eat the food!? So she isn't a demon? I was wrong again...? Then why is she...so enchanting beauty like Tamayo-san...?'

More like Tanjiro stared too much at Lady Tsukihi's attractive appearance.

When Muzan finished 'her' share of food, 'she' flatly commented the obvious. "Is this how you will repay me?" Offended voice, "Come to think of it...you accused me this morning that am a demon. Why are you so rude? What evidence do you have Tanjiro-kun?" This acting is so convincing that Tanjiro had to defend himself. "No! I just want to make sure that you are a human...because, Nezuko would never harm humans unless they are actually-"

SLAM!

Lady Muzan slammed her hand to the table, causing the cup of water to splash. With pretend anger, Muzan commands. "Get out."

Thankfully it worked, Tanjiro bowed at the floor and completely forgotten to restrain the feral Nezuko. "No! Please wait! Give me a chance! I will tame my sister!"
Nezuko who got freed slowly crawling up and still growling. Tanjiro hushes her by pulling her face to look only at him and not Tsukihi. "Calm down Nezuko! Look at me your brother! Oniichan wants you to behave! Please...I beg you Nezuko...!"

For some reason Nezuko stops when she saw Tanjiro's eyes pleading with crystal eyes.

"Grrmmmhh..." eventually her hate subside and then... "...Nezuko?" Her pupils went back to the tame ones as well the veins in her face disappeared, her sharp nails went back to the normal size. "Mmh..." blinking.

Lady Muzan behind crossed 'her' arms. "Is your sister done on her tantrums?" Tanjiro whose actually shock that Nezuko did calm down for him, he fix her clothes that almost showed her legs and chest when he was pinning her earlier. "W-well she isn't growling anymore and her eyes are back to normal..."

'Phew, Nezuko finally calmed down.'

Tsukihi made another huff sound before she stated the deal with clear instructions. "Just so you know, if she attacks me...do not blame me if I kill her by accident out of self defense."

Tanjiro knows nobody can kill a demon but you can at least defend yourself like how he did back then with his hatchet, before he met Urokudaki. With the guiltily puppy face down, Tanjiro apologizes with pure sincerity. "I really am...very sorry Tsukihi-san...It wont happen again, I swear!" Another bow.

Lady Muzan sighs, "You always talk about demons, you are no longer a slayer right? Hurry up and get over with what is past and past. Stop brooding." Then glaring, "And make your sister behave or else...!" Tanjiro bows up the third time as he regrets and feels ashamed of everything that happened tonight.

"Yes! I understand...and y- you are r-right.." letting out smile because Tsukihi gave them a second chance. "S-sorry for our rudeness."

Lady Muzan did not smile back, but by the looks of it 'she' is not angry anymore.
"Finish your food and...Let me rest."

Tanjiro leaves Nezuko's side to eat.

Nezuko is back to being silent doll she is and behaved herself to watch over her brother going near the other demon.

"Ok.."
Well that was close, is what truly Muzan felt.

'Kamado Nezuko...don't make me devour you yet.'

However both of them did not sense that someone is eavesdropping at their room.

Someone overheard them.

'A boy's voice...! What is the meaning of this?!'

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The next night...

Omitsu was a middle age woman with noticeable wrinkles in her face and sharp eyes. Her black hair was tied up in a geisha style held with a decorative comb.

Omitsu is wearing a patterned kimono tied with a light colored obi. The other night she heard the conversation between a boy's voice and lady Tsukihi's voice.
The only conclusion here who was with her at the room is the famous mute Kamado Sumiko.

Frankly, Omitsu never liked how Tsukihi just showed up and become a mamasang instantly. Everything about that woman is irritating and suspicious. The fact she dared to break a law...Omitsu want's an evidence not knowing she is shoveling her own grave. 'I heard it...That Lady Tsukihi and Sumiko are...'

Unaware he will be in trouble, Tanjiro is doing his usual chores like wiping the vase around the hallway.

Tap, tap, tap.

He then look around to see where the sound coming from. Someone is approaching his way in the hallway. 'It's Omitsu-san!' Half way Omitsu stops walking and instead lift her hand to call Tanjiro. "Sumiko come here."

Putting back the vase careful and with no sound. 'Omitsu-san wants to talk to me? For real?'

Usually Omitsu will ignore him because she acts very abnormal and considered as a very ugly little girl lost in red light district. Tanjiro did not suspect anything unusual and approach with a small sound escape his lips while having the innocent face. "Mmm...?"

Suddenly

"AH!"

Tanjiro yelps when Omitsu pulled his kimono wide open. The force had included the long nails to slightly scratch his bare chest. 'H-hold on...am stripped?!'

Looking above him is the angry yet evil triumph smile of Omitsu and shouted. "You are a boy!" Unable to shut his mouth now, Tanjiro subconsciously tried to cover his chest even though he is already been found out. "Eh!?" He express the same innocent face, Omitsu is not buying it of course. Roughly she pulled Tanjiro's ribbon and cause his bangs to cover his forehead and ending up erasing the make up revealing his demon slayer scar.

"O-Omitsu-san it hurt's! P-please stop!" Trying not to hurt the elder woman, Omitsu is mad at such lie."You tricked us! What an awful little boy you are Sumiko!" Then a thought crossed her head. "But wait, there is no way Lady Tsukihi won't found out if you are sleeping at the same room!" Omitsu did try at least l...like bit of not to doubt Tsukihi but now this confirms conspiracy...She won't let her escape and it is the chance to take her off the throne and make Koinatsu the mamasang, much better in her eyes.

"I see...she lied! She is in trouble!" When Tanjiro heard that Tsukihi will be most likely punished. Tanjiro grabs Omitsu's clothes desperately begging. "Please wait! Don't report Tsukihi-san! I swear it is not her fault...! Omitsu-san I beg-"

The voice of Tsukihi echoed and stop them both.

"What is this ruckus?"

Frozen in fear, 'ah oh...it is over.' Tanjiro silently fell on his knees and unconciously had let go on clinging to Omitsu's body.

Hopelessness was strong.

The elder woman marches forward to confront Lady Muzan though. "Tsukihi!"
Lady Muzan who almost forgot her name, guessed. "Omitsu?" But because of that Muzan noticed behind her was...

Eyes lit up a bit in surprise, Muzan is not expecting such sight.

"Sumiko...your clothes..."

A somewhat abused up Tanjiro kneeling at the floor, chest exposed with red marks that he can tell are claws from a sharp finger nails. Kimono crumples and hair is in a mess. His ribbon bun almost falling out. Tanjiro's supposed to be brush up bangs are now hovering in his eyes.

Lastly the demon slayer mark in his wide forehead, the make up is gone!

When Tanjiro felt the eye contact to lady Tsukihi, he quickly says the usual pathetic submissive words of- "I-I'm sorry...!" And his eyes went crystal.

((BADUMP))

Muzan is not happy that someone else made his toy cry.

"We must talk! Now!" Omitsu yelled at Lady Muzan and of course 'she' was calm. "Fine with me." Then Muzan lead the way.

Tanjiro who crawled at the floor feeling his legs tremble, the fear for Tsukihi's position and life to be ruined, the reincarnation of Tanjirou Sumiko reaches out with faint plead. "W-wait..."

Lady Muzan turned a head to give Tanjiro an assuring smile. It was so confident that it send chills to both parties.

"It's alright Sumiko, I will protect you and your little sister."

"Eh.. .?"

That was it, Lady Tsukihi and Omitsu left him miserable at the floor.

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On the very end of the rooms, a dark room to be exact. Omitsu and lady Muzan had agreed to talk where it is private.

"Lady Tsukihi because of what you did you are now stepping down of your position!" Says by Omitsu whose obviously just dislikes him or her.

Lady Muzan chuckles and sarcastically replied a devilish smirk. "Stepping down? Me? You must be joking with me Omitsu~"

However the voice was deep, it was no woman at all.

Confused and terrified.

Was she getting so old she misheard?

No, of course not.

"W-what? Is that your voice...? Why does it sound like a g-" before Omitsu can speak up further, lady Muzan transforms to reveal a scary hungry demon tentacle behind 'her'.

"Tonight, is your resignation day Omitsu. Happy retirement~"

Muzan said with a hungry smile and ordered his tentacles to attack Omitsu.

"Aughh!"

The scream was not heard at all for the tentacles aimed her face before her entire body was devoured.

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It was very late at night, still people is up of course. However Tanjiro thinks everything is muted in his ears as he fearfully wait inside the room of him and Nezuko shared with Tsukihi.

"It's my fault...Tsukihi-san will be homeless like us!" Tanjiro grips at his legs and did not care if the kimono may look unsightly if he clawed them too much.

"This is the end-"

Tanjiro wanted to emo more with Nezuko whose just silently sitting at the corner of the futon, the sliding door opens and closes.

Snapping his head to see Lady Tsukihi is back, he needed to ask urgently what was the ending of the confrontation Omitsu appointed with her.

"Tsukihi-san? How did you and Omitsu-san talk go?" Muzan whose back on using his female voice, simply stated. "She gave up." But that short sentence does not really explain everything for our slow head Tanjiro boy.

"Huh?"

To see the stupid reincarnation of Sumiko is totally in need of fast learner influence, Muzan tried not to be mad at him...rather greet him with a gentle smile but they were never comforting.

"She said she cannot tolerate to stay here so she resigned and went away somewhere far. Your secret is kept safe. Worry not anymore Tanjiro-kun." She approaches and Tanjiro stood still. Lady Tsukihi took some strands of his uncombed hair and brushed them up to see properly his doubtful eyes.

Tanjiro did not blush at the touch unlike how he used too, because he was disturbed...

'How...how fast?' To think the supposed to be big deal broken law is settled so quickly. Tanjiro pushed for more details.

"You mean just now?" The demon lord had kept the smiling face that is out of place if you will ask Tanjiro.

"Yeah." Muzan softly echoed as his fingers combing and fixing Tanjiro's hair, there was a pause from the little boy as he allowed 'her' to put back his Sumiko ribbon's in place. "A-am confuse...what just happen?" When the tying up hair session was done, Tanjiro thought his questions will be answered.

Instead Lady Tsukihi to embrace him, tight and because of the height Tanjiro's face is buried to 'her' soft and big chest. "E-ehh! T-Tsukihi-san?" Blushing hard from the sudden close contact such as getting a hug from this wonderful woman. Muzan whispered with again the suspicious smile on 'her' red lips.

"You will stay here with me right~?"

Unable to see how Lady Tsukihi's eyes glimmered with hidden sentiment as 'she' utters the fake name so dearly.

"Sumiko..."

Flash of small images where Tanjiro Sumiko was getting embraced by the mysterious man inside Tanjiro's dreams. Sumiko's reincarnation blinks multiple times, for a moment... Tanjiro is lost how to speak further since his memories just went ahead and jumbled some weird flashbacks from this present act.

"...I...?"
Ending the hug, Muzan knowingly smirks at Kamado Tanjiro...the boy he is suppose to play and toss later.

"I mean, you have no choice to stay Tanjiro-kun~" somehow, just ..somehow Tanjiro felt more and more uncomfortable.

Uneasy.

So uneasy, almost felt eerie.

This is too smooth to be true.
To escape such law so easily.

"Tsukihi...san..?" Then his cheeks were held by the woman's palms. They were cold yet so smooth. Lady Muzan said in somewhat possessive behavior.

"Anyone who tries to touch you, they will have to go away."

Tanjiro could only nod slowly as he kept his gaze up to the mysterious lady Tsukihi.

Unaware what blood had shed under the moonlight's beauty since be could not smell anything.

Everything is just dull.

"T-thank you...Tsukihi-san..." is his only end of conversation. Not hugging back, rather Tanjiro burry his face to the woman's chest trying to test if he can smell her fragrance or what.

None.

Just a hole in his chest that is.

'I didn't truly understand the strange words Lady Tsukihi told me, all I know am thankful that Nezuko and I can keep shelter here...though, I has not given up to find a cure for Nezuko. So am sorry Tsukihi-san...I may still leave, if the time comes.'

They stayed like that for a while before everything was just like a dream that such drama and scandal even happened.

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1 week later.

"Sumiko-chan?" Koinatsu approached him. When Omitsu vanish without a goodbye to anyone who respects her and close to her, that one week was gloomy as hell.

Lately Lady Tsukihi is busy, Tanjiro felt a bit lonely to be honest.

However there is one person who finally recovered from loneliness, "Mmh?" Still in his Sumiko disguise, Koinatsu is friendly and kind as always she held up a basket and a note for him. "Can you do an errand for me?" Accepting the objects without a word like a Nezuko speaker. "Please buy them, also.." Koinatsu keeps on talking and telling Tanjiro which and what suppose to buy and not. However the end of the sentence made him jumped away when Koinatsu cheerfully whispered.

"I will keep your secret as a boy."

"Mmhm?!"

A pat of cheer to his back, Koinatsu runs away from Sumiko. "Take care on shopping outside! Even if there is a lot of people it is still dangerous okay?"

Then she left Tanjiro shock. "Mm...mm?"

Tanjiro is having terrible liar face just now. 'What! Koinatsu-san is sharp...! Could it be she knew from the start?!'

Since nobody else is question or bothering him, Tanjiro thought to let it go as long as Lady Tsukihi won't be in trouble and the fact he and Nezuko continues to be safe here from demons and demon slayer corps. 'Anyway...time for errand.'

Tanjiro went outside.

...

As expected the Red light district is so noisy, busy and crowded. Even though there are a lot of food stall cooking here and smoking there.

Unfortunately Tanjiro cannot smell a single thing. 'Is this even normal for my sense of smell to be this broken?' Able to buy the stuffs and foods he needed, Tanjiro rubs his nose and hope that he will regain his smelling ability soon.

"Mm..."

Because he wasn't paying attention, he bumped to a hard wall causing the items to fall off the basket.
"Ow!"
Oh wait it was not a wall, there is a person who quickly pick up Tanjiro's groceries.

"Sorry! You were so little I did not notice!"
Rubbing his nose but not enough to erase his make up. Lingering pain...

Kring...))

Tanjiro found his eyes widening up for no reason. 'Eh...? Have I seen this man...somewhere before...?' No...actually there is a reason. This man looks awfully familiar even though he was sure he did not meet anybody like him yet.

Not even his dreams? Or maybe he did but he forgot?

The owl face.

"Oh my! I was rude to a girl! As apologies...I can treat you for a meal!" Having his basket back to his hands. Still staring at the owl face, Tanjiro finally drop his eyes to the taller man's clothes. 'Wait up! He is wearing a demon slayer uniform and t-there is the Nichirin sword...! Shit! I have to run-' Tanjiro sucks at lying that he was visibly shaken and eyes were distrustful.

Rengoku Kyoujiro the flame pillar laughs then said rather a beamy voice. "I'm not trying to hit on you! I just really want to treat you some meal, am a bit lonely on eating food alone. Since I wasted the stuff you buy, let me compensate!"

Unsure how to even response, maybe Tanjiro gotten so used to act like Nezuko that he just...

"M-m-mm.." was the answer he made. Kyoujiro is actually wondering why the little girl was not speaking at all. Usually girls will shout and say mean stuffs or act like a demure frail woman they were.

Kyoujiro knows the girls in demon slayer corps are fighters, but he also knows well that normal girls are noisy or too weak. Especially this kind of place, wild girls everywhere unlike his hometown are polite and well mannered conservative ladies. On the other hand, Tanjiro secretly peeking at Kyoujiro's.

The man seems to be a goofy person yet scary, seeing he was smiling at him with no hint of hate or evilness...it clicked to Tanjiro.

'He does not recognize me? I mean am wanted...I thought all demon slayers will be informed how I look like the last time we were chased. Thankfully Tsukihi-san was there to open her backyard.' Literally he thought someone draw his face in the corps just to hunt them down.

Guess not?

"May I know your name young lady?" Kyounjiro insist to communicate, Tanjiro's ears made a shed of red. 'Ahh...right, am Kamado Sumiko. A girl, so he won't notice right away...' From the count of people around, Tanjiro may run successfully...however. 'W-why is that...I want to talk to him?!'

Is it because it has been a while he spoke to another men? Tanjiro had been with girls for the past few weeks ever since he was taken care of lady Tsukihi.

There are no other guy inside the bar. Tanjiro rarely serves at the table where awful men are there to entertain themselves with sale women. Tanjiro cannot understand why he wants to talk to this demon slayer when it could actually endanger him and Nezuko to be found out. Kyoujiro's smile did not fall out, there were there...glued.

Unable to stop his desires to speak to him, ahh he missed man to man talk maybe?

"Mm..S-Sumiko." It was very faint, Tanjiro tried to make his voice a bit female-ish, doubt if it even sounded that way.

Who knows.

"I see! Sumiko huh? My name is Rengoku Kyoujiro. Nice to meet you~!" He held out a hand for a shake.

Because Kyoujiro did not find his voice acting weird, Tanjiro thought he was safe to continue speaking.

"O-ok."

'It was a mistake, that meeting is definitely a mistake.'

Kyoujiro and Tanjiro went to stroll and eat.

Is this history repeating itself?

Chapter Text

The moonlight may decay however the endless night is about to reach dawn.

"May I know your name young lady?"

'W-why is that...I want to talk to him?!'

"Mm..S-Sumiko."

"I see! Sumiko huh? My name is Rengoku Kyoujiro. Nice to meet you~!"

"O-ok."

'It was a mistake, that meeting is definitely a mistake.'

The reincarnation of Rengoku Toujiro meets Tanjirou's Sumiko's...

'What am actually doing?'

Kamado Tanjiro ask himself as he and Rengoku Kyoujiro went inside a food stall and start to eat bento's. "UMAI!" The owl demon slayer beamed. "E-eh?" Not sure how to response as he feel so awkward.
"IT IS DELICIOUS! HM~HM!" Kyoujiro repeats and kept on munching the food.

Tanjiro twitch an eyebrow by the sight that the other person really is enjoying his food without much suspicion against 'her'. 'Do I really look like a girl?' Tanjiro started to doubt his appearance and even his voice..."Mmm..." He mumbles under his breath, that is the time Kyoujiro paid attention to him/her.

"What is wrong? Aren't you going to eat?" Kyoujiro's face is straight forward, so basic that Tanjiro can actually trust him...however Tanjiro knows what time it is, and how long he is suppose to be outside only. "I-I better get going actually..." still with the 'pretend female-ish' voice of who knows if it sounded like one, Kyoujiro nods in understanding. "I see. But I appreciate if you eat first...I mean.." he points at the served food. Tanjiro felt so bad on wasting food too, but this is so weird.

"O-of course I will eat! Err..."

Fidgeting.

'W-Why did I come with him?!'

Tanjiro mentally slap himself. 'Tsukihi-san might be looking for me.' Tanjiro remembered the night that Lady Muzan told him to stay by her side. Tanjiro just agreed with it, but then he also notice how Tsukihi wants his attention badly. 'Am over thinking that she cares or...is this different kind of care?'

Stuck in deep thoughts, Tanjiro did not notice that Kyoujiro went to get a cup of drink to offer at him. "How about you drink first Sumiko? Your voice is so faint...are you okay? Here!" Tanjiro's body flinch that he accidently smack the glass of drink.

"Wait!"

SPLASH!

Wetting themselves both, Tanjiro blinks and so is Kyoujiro before he reacted. "AH! Sorry!" A little bit of panic rose inside. "I-It's okay..!" The former demon slayer did not realize that getting splash by some liquid to his face may remove the foundation in his face.

Unaware of Kyoujiro's observing eyes, they narrowed in a thought. 'The scar...same as the description, his eyes color, nose shape and...hair color. Confirm it is him...but he pretending to be a girl and even fake his name.' The little boy in a cross dress of a girl is still patting the drench kimono. "Here, use my handkerchief." Offered by the flame pillar.

"T-thank you Rengoku-san..." accepting the handkerchief, Tanjiro wipes his face without a second thought. "No sweat." Just smiled by Kyoujiro as he watches Tanjiro completely wipes off his make up, 'So this kid is the traitor from the Demon Slayer corps...To think he is blending well with the Red Light District. This boy is dangerous...'

It is confirmed and yes It was all a lie.

Rengoku Kyoujiro the flame pillar and others are ordered to search the traitor Kamado Tanjiro who is rumored to be last seen in Red Light District. Not only that, the reason a pillar was sent here...there is also rumors of an upper moon possibly lurking when there are weird cases of missing beautiful ladies that seems to compete much with other stores/bars.

Kyoujiro did not prioritize to capture the traitor, instead he wants to capture and slay the upper moon.

However luck had come to him instead to accidentally cross paths with one of his targets.

The one they were told who kept his sister alive even though that said little sister had become a demon and could possibly under Kibutsuji Muzan's control.

'Tomioka betrayed us for this boy.' Kyoujiri deeply wonders why, right now Tomioka Giyuu is held in a custody. Also for Kyoujiro, usually he will capture the enemy with no excuse however...the boy was timid. 'Is he really a traitor?' Maybe there is a big reason why the water pillar is willing to commit seppuku for someone like him beside's the demon sister.'

Tanjiro still busy.

'I have to find out before I verdict. Also...I had not seen the upper moon too. Better investigate everything till the demon shows up.'

Finally Tanjiro notice the intent stare of the older man. "Rengoku-san?" But he had no suspicions at all, he cannot track his scent after all...that both if them were acting.

"Yeah?" Is Kyoujiro's flat response. Tanjiro smiles though, "Thank you for the meal."

After eating the meal, Kyoujiro and Tanjiro continued to stroll with each other's company. "May I ask?" Kyoujiro started the conversation, shy Tanjiro in Sumiko's female appearance looks up to him cluelessly. "Do you know a place where I can sleep? Or more like...is there anything strange happening lately?" Tanjiro is not that dumb of course, he knew this person is trying to hunt down a demon. 'I use to do that too...' A demon slayer has no time to have fun after all. 'Hold it, does that mean there are other demon's in the list beside Nezuko at this place?'

Shaking his head, "Not...that I know." Tanjiro never lies, Kyoujiro observes him silently as he let him speak. "I rarely go out, so I don't know." It was not a lie, ever since Lady Tsukihi took him and Nezuko to her shelter they are not allowed to go outside, since there is a possibility the demon slayer roams around or worst people may discover Tanjiro's gender if he get too much involved with someone.

It was all for the sake of caution, or maybe? Tanjiro does not know whose Tsukihi. Probably Muzan just want to keep him for himself or because they both don't want to be found out by the slayers.

"You don't travel?" Tanjiro stops walking when Kyoujiro said that with a visible surprise. "Huh?"
Kyoujiro stops walking too, they are at least 1 meter apart now. "Ah, I mean...would you like to go with me and see other places?"

Suddenly Kyoujiro scold himself, 'That sounds wrong! I really suck at this...' Kyoujiro's plan is to actually trick our wanted Tanjiro to come with him then he will chop his neck then take him to the head quarters.

Tanjiro blinks again, for some reason his heart skip a beat when Kyoujiro offered to ask him out?
'W-what is this feeling in my chest!?' Tanjiro does not understand why he was not running away...why on earth are they still together when he should go back.

It is dangerous, he cannot keep his pretend girl voice. "Uhh...I...Rengoku-san actually!"

Kring...))

It throbs.

'Aahh...Not now.'

Seeing the pretend girl, the traitor Kamado Tanjiro support his hurting head. "Urgh!" He cannot contain the pain to be stuck at his throat. Sumiko's memories once again invaded his head and his whole body trembles. He attempted not to faint from headache, so Tanjiro allowed himself to slowly fall on his knees till he was at the dirty ground whimpering in pain. "O-ow..s-stop..."

Of course Kyoujiro is...confuse and cannot help but worried.

"What's wrong! Sumiko?!" Running towards the little Sumiko, despite the cute ribbon on Tanjiro's head...Nothing is awkward.

"Ren...go..ku..san?" Tanjiro whose squinting his eyes to do a close and open session with it. He wanted to be sure that he was still staring at the demon slayer.

"Hang in there! Do you need a doctor?!" Kyoujiro thought to himself by watching the boy clenching his teeth together and clawing his own hair. 'Is...he ill or something?' It cross his mind maybe Tanjiro is suffering from some illness? But then again...'What if the is just pretending?' Who knows? Maybe the boy knew his identity to actually capture him. Of course he will know he is a demon slayer because of his obvious uniform and sword in his waist.

But still...

"Kama...do..." Kyoujiro bit his lips he just made a mistake, but the target did not seem to hear it as Tanjiro's eyes are now closed tight and eyebrows arching with unexplainable pang. So Kyoujiro tried again with the correct name, "..Sumiko? Can you hear me...?"

However Tanjiro's head is in a mess.
When Kyoujiro pat his back for comfort, his eyes snaps with blank pupils and utter the name of the enemy.

"I need to get back...While the moon is still up."

Kring...))
"Let me go, Toujiro...san"

Kring...))

"Hurry, I need to hurry before it is dawn."

Kring...))

"Muzan-sama is waiting for me..."

"You...are...?!"

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Meanwhile...

"Sumiko...?" Lady Muzan called out the name he has not gotten enough. "Mmmpp..." only to see Kamado Nezuko at the room alone with her bamboo gag.

"Where is your brother?" He ask her with authoritative tone. Nezuko glared and looks away.

"Hohh~" pissed off, Lady Muzan grabs Nezuko's jaw to force her to obey him. "What will happen if I release you from your bamboo restrain? What will Tanjiro say about it...?" Evil smile. "To devour humans-"

"Tsukihi-sama." A knock from their room. Muzan immediately stops messing with Nezuko.

"What do you need?" It was Koinatsu's voice. "

I ask Sumiko some errand but she has not return. I wonder if she is there inside?"

Lady Muzan twitch an eyebrow. 'So he is outside and has not gone back...?'

...

Tanjiro's POV

'I don't remember.'

All I know I saw a memory.

A memory under an endless night.
The moon was not beautiful, but it was big...so big. Yet it's light was like darkness.

Because I was stuck inside someone's room. "Eh?" I hear my own voice, then again I somehow see myself as a third person too...I can see myself wearing Sumiko's clothes, my hair is longer and it is ponytailed up.

Then, in front of me was..."Toujiro-san...?"

This person named Toujiro looks like the demon slayer I just met not a moment ago. If there is difference this man looks a bit older than Rengoku-san? I cannot remember whose names it is suppose to be. Am not in control of myself.

Just...just something I can remember as a trademark this man is possessing unruly orange hair that flares out around his face, he had bushy black eyebrows like an owl. His clothes were a traditional orange kimono robe with an eagle art printed to his left chest.

Somehow I was scared.
He was staring so intently at me and my body?

"Sumiko!"

"Kya!"

I don't know why I acted like a girl on yelping in surprise that I was pinned to the wall. I struggled. "Let me go Toujiro-san!" But it was futile, suffering in Sumiko's body I was licked in the neck, He...he sniffing my scent and touching my chest.

I was crying and trembling.

Kring..))

'My head hurts...!'

I cannot stop the dream, I was forced to play. 'I-I feel weak...'

Before I can even blink the dream jumped to the part where I was at the futon getting myself kiss and shiver beneath the priest of flame?

'I do not understand who am...?'

"S-stop...ah-" I moaned and I felt so embarrass. 'Wake me up, wake me up, I do not want this!'

Kring...))

["It is no use 'me'."]

A voice I heard before. It was my own voice...gasping, "Sumiko?!" I look around as the man still hovering about me doing something I do not want to look, since am feeling it...

"Help me!" I ask the ghost of the past, but...Sumiko my twin like he...he just smile at me sorrowfully.

That moment I know it is a nightmare.

"Ah!" I was teased in my body, I know my legs are exposed. I reach out to Sumiko whose actually me?

"Please...let me go..." I chokes in my tearing up voice. I said a name that I had forgotten.

"...Muzan-sama is waiting for me...!"

My head hurts and I went blank.

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Anyone's POV

Rengoku Kyoujiro does not understand why Kamado Tanjiro acted up so strange.

He was hurling in pain by some headache it seems.

Then next he says some random stuffs...random lines...out of place, words that sounds dramatic yet no life whenever it spills the traitor's lips.

Kyoujiro doubted if it was an act as it seem real that the little boy is not feeling well.

Especially he utter a name that Kyoujiro thought was his. "Let me go, Toujiro...san" the boy gently swat his hands but the other hand still holding his red locks from headache. The ribbon falls out, catching the ribbon for him, Tanjiro continued to act like he was hypnotize to say something. "Hurry, I need to hurry before it is dawn."

So Kyoujiro cleared his throat to try and get him to converse properly. "Do you hear me?"

Kring...))

However the moment their eyes met, it was clear to Kyoujiro that Kamado the former demon slayer is under a spell?

'No, a different person?'

Tanjiro stood with his hair back to his natural messy burgundy looks without the Sumiko ribbon. Kyoujiro thought to let the boy explain but...it looks like he is not entirely betraying the corps.

'He's not on himself? Is it a demon art?'

Kyoujiro assumed it's a demon ability when Tanjiro said. "..Muzan-sama is waiting for me." And starts to walk away.

*BADUMP*

'To hear Kibutsuji Muzan's name! It means he is here...!?'

Deciding to drop the act. "You...are...?!" Kyoujiro pulls his wrist to prevent him from walking away like a hypnotize person. "Kamado Tanjiro you are-"

SLASH!
SLICE!

The flame pillar is not dumb, he isn't dense either. Just now he slice some form of attack directed to him. "Demon, you finally showed yourself!" With his nichirin blade already exposed, some sash pieces at the ground...

An upper moon appeared. "Catch me if you can~Pillar~!" It was Daki, a beautiful demon is just above a roof.

Good thing this part of street has no people around despite being a Red Light District.

"You will not escape!" Kyoujiro faces Daki, then he realize it was a trick.

"WAIT!" Looking behind him, Tanjiro is walking away with his errand stuffs but still he is not himself. "Hold it-"

Daki blocks his way and forced him to play with her. "Entertain me virgin demon slayer~!"

SLASH!
The flame pillar lost sight of Tanjiro.

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"Where have you been?" Tanjiro finally gained access to his own eyes and find a unpleased Lady Tsukihi in his present vision. 'Eh? Since when...?' trying to recall how he is now inside the bar, standing in front of Lady Tsukihi's room shared by him and Nezuko. Tanjiro is too tired to even collect his memories.

'I do not remember.' and just decides to apologize. "M-my apologies Tsukihi-san." Is all the boy said, Muzan narrowed his eyes with suspicion and shared him what info 'she' was told. "Koinatsu sent you for an easy task of small errand. How come it took you forever? Explain yourself...Kamado Tanjiro."

Suddenly he was pulled inside the room, the sliding door shuts and Lady Tsukihi is definitely not happy.

'Why is she so mad?!'

Gulping.

Tanjiro recalled a demon slayer.

'Ah yes!' He encountered a slayer and tried to escape...!

Defending himself but still stuttering because he was scared of Lady Muzan's temper issues. "T-truth is I run to a difficult situation!" Lady Muzan grins with a vein pop appearing to her cheeks."Hohh~prey tell. Enlighten." Tanjiro wipes his sweating forehead and push the truth.

"A demon slayer."
"Hn?"

Muzan cooed 'her' head and just listened.

"I crossed paths with a demon slayer, a-and in order not to be found out I-I...I kinda..." Muzan eyed Tanjiro's hair is not in his Sumiko ribbons. In fact the pink ribbon is gone.

Crossing 'her' arms with the long kimono sleeves. "Do not tell me you tried to entertain him?" It was just a tease, actually Muzan saw already in his back up memory his connection with the upper moon Daki that a pillar was nearby and to protect Muzan's location not to be found out, Daki decided to help Tanjiro escape because if the flame pillar follows the boy...

Muzan is in trouble to shape shift again.

"I swear it is not my intention!" It pleases Muzan now that Tanjiro is loyal to his promise at least...to not be friends with demon slayers anymore. Hiding his happy smug, Lady Muzan turns her back. "Whatever. You are dismiss. Take a bath, you smell like a food." Tanjiro who cannot smell himself, he blushes but had a knowingly grin his face.

"Hehehe..." in the corner of lady Muzan's eyes he spot it and glance back. "What are you grinning for idiot?" Trying to find any gap in Tanjiro's dork Sumiko face. "You are worried about me. I appreciate it Tsukihi-san. I promise I will repay you back someday!" He says cheerfully.

Lady Muzan did not hesitate to response but as usual the face was expressionless.

"Just stay here, it is enough."

To hear something like that, Tanjiro's ears sharpens. "Eh?"

'She really wants us to stay?'

But then it looks like Lady Tsukihi did find it embarrassing that she re-phrased. "I said you better be paying me indeed for staying here for too long. Fix yourself Sumiko-chan."

"E-eehhh!"

Totally...things are becoming out of hand.

SHAAASHH...
SHAASSHH...

'I wonder what happen to that person?'
Totally he cannot recall how they part ways, all Tanjiro knows he agreed to eat with him. 'Strange...' finding any pain on his head, something still throbs.

'Did I fainted or did I...have another memory swaps?'

Tanjiro does not want to admit that Sumiko the ghost of the hanafuda earrings is him.

Because Sumiko and him are different right?

'Right?'

Even though the late Kamado Tanjuro already explained that the memories of the heart broken spirit may take over him someday.

'It is...just a joke right?'

Getting out of the bath.

'Father...?'

BLAG.

Lady Muzan heard a thud inside the bath quarters. "Hm?" As he recalled Tanjiro is inside.

"Were not yet done Kamado Nezuko." Threaten by Lady Muzan to Nezuko whose glaring at 'her' but rather than the feral state, Nezuko is just pouting at the demon Queen form.

"Tanjiro-kun...?"

Peeking inside...his Sumiko is at the ground.

Lady Muzan is supposed to be shock, but he lack those humane emotions.

"What?" Is what Lady Muzan questioned and approached the unconscious half naked Tanjiro with the towel slightly covering him. It was not properly put.
By the looks he is out of bath and about to dry himself but he suddenly fainted?

"Tanjiro-kun...are you sick?" Touching the boy's forehead, there is a small fever but...

Kring...))

Muzan's eyes landed to the earrings.

'Sumiko's earrings.' Deciding to touch them by 'her' slender fingers...

Nezuko poke out her head at the bath door. "Mmh! Mmmp!" She runs towards them and pushes Lady Muzan to hiss and hugs her brother. "Mmmhpp! Mmp!"

Lady Muzan huffs and rolled 'her eyes'.
"I'm not planning to kill your brother." Then she does an evil smirk. "Not yet~"

Nezuko went chibi angry with the noises that you can translate that nobody must harm her brother.

Lady Muzan ignores Nezuko and looks at the futon sighted at the doorway.

"How troublesome."

...

Unknown how many time passed, Tanjiro opened his eyes.
'What...?' Tanjiro is having a high fever that he couldn't extinguish if what he is seeing is a dream or reality.

Heavy and hot eyelids he saw the back of Lady Muzan and had some wet clothe on her hands.

Then there is this weird small box that she pulled out and dips the towel on it like some make up.

'Ointment...?'

It was actually the drug that Muzan been using at him.

Too dizzy to even think what was that, he followed her with the eyes till the so called Tsukihi looks down at him and wipes him with the towel that was dip earlier from the strange box.

"You'll stay here." He heard Tsukihi said. "Not till I got bored of you." Somehow that sounds...wrong.

'Uhh...?' But as said Tanjiro is too delusion right now that he discarded his thoughts and allowed the gentle stroke on his face with the fabric. 'Tsukihi-san's stroke on my face feels good...' Ending up sleeping back. Muzan smirks at the sick boy while Nezuko behind is still angry.

"Yes, it is too soon for us to depart yet~"

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Tanjiro opened his eyes.
It was morning.

Whenever it is morning...

"Tsukihi-san?" Only the sounds of bird chirping is heard. Smiling at his dumb question, "Right...she can't be in the sunlight.." glancing at the box of Nezuko that is locked. Assuming that Nezuko is inside like she would have always do. "Just like Nezuko."

Patting the box, "Good morning Nezuko." He greets her even without opening the box. Once again assuming that Nezuko is asleep inside the box.
Tanjiro stretches' his body and got up from his futon.

That is when he noticed a towel he accidentally stepped on. "Eh?" Grabbing it up. "Is this what I think it is...?" Finally noticing his body is naked.

Panic rose inside him, quickly as he couldn't remember anything.

Tanjiro screamed.

"GAH WHAT ON EARTH IS THIS!?"

Then immediately he covered his mouth. 'Shit! My voice...Am a male of course! T-they might have woken up!'

Waiting for someone to rush to their room, nobody did.
Sighing in relief. "T-thank goodness everyone seems to be sleeping deeply..."

Massaging his shoulders and heading to grab some clothes to cover his body.

"My body so soar. What happen to me anyway?" Rubbing his temples, he noticed the mirror. His reflection, he was looking ill.

Horrified at his own looks. Stopping as a demon slayer had led his body to become weak it seems. "W-woah, I got to shape up myself!" Quickly going to the rest room to splash his face with water.

He suddenly remembered a small flashback.

It was about Lady Tsukihi rubbing his face and nose with the towel.
Absentmindedly, Tanjiro touches his face to retrace those soft...soft.

'WAIT WHAT AM THINKING?!'
Shaking his head and slapping his own cheeks. "Do your best Tanjiro! And calm yourself!"

The night came, Tsukihi appeared and told him to rest as much as he wanted but he is grounded for any errand from this day forward.

Tanjiro actually wanted to ask why Tsukihi cares so much for their safety, but same time...

'Why does it feel like, Tsukihi-san is referring to a different person every time he mentions my...fake name.'

Kring...))

"Sumiko." Snapping his eyes to reality, Muzan eyed him suspiciously. "Are you perhaps wanting to be a Demon Slayer again?" Tanjiro still feels so weak that he just couldn't find it strange why the woman would ask such thing as like that. "U-um..." instead he changed the topic. "Why did I collapse? Is it really fever?" Muzan arching an eyebrow, "With that hot body of yours what else is that suppose to be if not a high fever?"

Lady Tsukihi is offended, it gives away to her facial expression that Tanjiro cannot help but blush.

Badump.

'Lately...I notice I cannot stop staring at Tsukihi-san. Maybe because I suspected her as a demon but, every time she talks to me, or everything she is being authoritative like a powerful woman she was...my heart would skip a bit.'

Wondering if it's the fever of his or plainly because Tsukihi is undeniably beautiful.

'Why do I feel like this...?'

Many days passed, Tanjiro finally recovers from his fever and is back in two feet.

"Good, now make yourself useful."

Out of blue lady Muzan ordered him.

"Useful?"

Tanjiro whose now back in his Sumiko appearance chuckles nervously. "W-what do you mean?"

Muzan who just simply walks in circles as 'she' explains to him. "If it is just serving people at the table it will be fine I believe." Taking a look at the boy up and down. "You do not have to do errand for anyone anymore Sumiko."

"Eh?"
Tanjiro went stiff when the lovely fingers of lady Muzan crawls under his chin and it was lifted. "So that you do not have to go outside to meet anyone. You will be safe now." Revealing a devilish grin at the end of her red lips.

Tanjiro cannot help but sweat drops. "H-huh...but...you do not have to go that far Lady Tsukihi, I will be fine. Regarding the matter with me meeting a demon slayer...I-I will be careful next time."

Finally the thoughts for whereabouts Rengoku Kyoujiro came back to him, he now feels concerned since he cannot remember how they parted ways in the first place.

'Come to think of it, what happen to that man? Is he even alive?'

His face were cup by Muzan, the same strange sense of possessiveness lingers as he was been assured. "This is for your sister Nezuko, that is all you need to understand Tanjiro-kun." Hearing Nezuko's name can always get Tanjiro to agree and cope with the situation even if he wouldn't like it. "F-For Nezuko's..." gripping his fist, he nods. "Ok, if you say so Tsukihi-san."

Petting Tanjiro's hair softly and fixing his ribbon and collar, seeing the boy had small red cheeks can always make lady Muzan chuckles. "Ara~ara Tanjiro-kun. That is a good boy." And pinch his cheeks. "Not my make up!"

Muzan whose satisfied at manipulating Tanjiro to stay longer under 'her' care, turned his back to leave. "Now go to work Sumiko~"

Then disappeared.

'Right, I do not need to speak! I just have to serve then it's all done!'

"Alright! Let's do this."

...

"Hey miss! I want more sake here!"
"Mmm...!"

Tanjiro with his Nezuko like noises, runs to the table and puts the order of glass.

"Took you long enough!"

Actually, Tanjiro had done so much help on serving table to table for orders.

It is just that...

'This man has drunken so much that he is getting out of hand.'

Not that he can honestly comment. The man hics as he was all red. Unfortunately he noticed the pair of concerned eyes from Tanjiro that he ended up getting interested. "Huehehe... your eyes, don't they look like a cute puppy~?" Not even understanding what made the man comment such thing about his so called ugly appearance for a girl to even sell. "M-mm?" Feeling the sense of danger, Tanjiro is about to move away when a hand grope his ass.

An electricity shock went through his whole body, that moment he realize what was happening. 'H-he is touching my butt!?' Trying so hard to restrain his disgust and not to punch the customer.

"Ehehehe, what a unusual firm ass you have. Did you went some training~?" Twitching a vein pop. 'No Tanjiro,you cannot hurt him. He is a customer! And understand he is drunk! Just run away politely...!' Holding back his voice. Tanjiro drops a fake smile but it fails horribly as he tried to get away from the contact, the man just have to insert a finger near his ass..."nnnh!?" Moaning from embarrassment and shock, Tanjiro cannot take it anymore and glared at the drunk man. 'This pervert!'

"Excuse me sir. This girl is not for sale, she is our waitress and they are not meant for entertaining you." Stopping himself to headbutt the man, there is lady Tsukihi behind them watching.

Tanjiro thought everything will settle down now that the superior lady Tsukihi has arrive to stop this scandal but... "Hahaha! Funny! But she looks good!" The man laughs at her. Angry how rude the man were to Tsukihi, Tanjiro pressed his lips together and tighter to stop himself for being violent so soon. "Mmhhp...!"

Lady Muzan of course saw the hands of the man still groping his dearest Sumiko's ass.

Muzan is surprisingly calm unlike how Tanjiro was hurt by Omitsu. "Sir, as we like to please you we do no tolerate customer who violates the rule. We ask you to leave." 'She' says. However the man stood up and raised his fist to attempt on slapping, Muzan narrowed his eyes. "DON'T WANNA!" Before Lady Muzan can even snap, the reincarnation of Tanjiro Sumiko catches the said fist and shielded 'her', what's worst Tanjiro voiced out his warnings for the violent drunk man.

"Don't you hurt Tsukihi-san! Or else I will bunk your head!"
Surprised, Muzan decided to observe what else Tanjiro will do now that he just dared to fight back.

'Hehh~ still having such spirit.' Displaying the usual lack of emotion Lady Muzan went silent. The man of course is confuse when the girl he was harassing had a somewhat...a boy's voice. "Eh?" Since he was drunk he barely understood what happen and whatever he heard might be a dream. Finding things will be boring yet bad if it keeps up, the so called lady Tsukihi marched forward and coaxed the drunk customer. "Sir, you can come to my room later in exchange of leaving her alone."

It was very smooth that Tanjiro felt ashamed of his actions.

"OK! DEAL!"

And so then they left.

Koinatsu took Tanjiro away from the crowd, thankfully everyone is too drunk to even question why the little Sumiko had a young male voice of sort.

Koinatsu checked if Tanjiro was hurt but Tanjiro is more guilty inside than outside. 'I wonder if Tsukihi-san is angry, I caused a trouble out there.'

Really why does he attract misfortune this much?

...

Muzan's POV

Seriously, he attracts trouble. Kamado Tanjiro is like a black cat.

Always running out of his luck. He fell to unlucky life when I happen to discover him and his family existence. When he became a demon slayer he was marked as a traitor just because he choose his sister.

And now this...

"You look delicious Tsukihi-chan~!" This low level human, I has to spare even though I want to kill him.
To think out of all girls in the serving area why does he had to touch my toy? How dare this man.
But if he disappears now, the demon slayer will find out my location.

I need this man to be lured on Daki's end so that even if he died, those annoying demon slayers especially pillars will not know where am and how I look like.

Seriously, so troublesome.
I guess I will just make this man shut up for the rest of the night then kill him later so that it won't be reported as a demon's killing.

"Come here Sou-san~" I pulled the man to a deep poisonous kiss, it was so tempting to bite off his tongue. Turn him to a demon and watch him explode from over blood transfer.

But not now, I will keep this play house. I'm just starting. It has been almost one month by now...however it is not enough.

I want more and more to know the reincarnation of Tanjiro Sumiko if he is the same person or not.
Back then it appears to be he was Sumiko himself inside Yoriichi. However...this Kamado Tanjiro does not recall any of them.

I guess he has not awoken to him, but what if they are actually two different souls and just happen to be using a same face and voice and...traits? I will find out if I expose him more?

'Hmm...Tanjiro-kun.'

...I want to taste you, I want to make sure if you and Sumiko taste the same.

I miss his taste...I truly do so.

...

The next night.

I found stupid Kamado Tanjiro sulking and blaming himself at our yard. "I mess up. I'm sure Tsukihi-san is mad at me!" I find it funny how he makes himself so guilty for causing trouble but same time it is annoying.

So I approached him as I spoke. "And why would I be mad Tanjiro-kun?" He jumped like a startled cat. "T-Tsukihi-san!?" Well, I guess I had to calm him down.
Chilling myself as I gently scold him. "Stop depressing yourself on something that already happened." Sumiko's copycat shook his head with crystal eyes. "I'm sorry." Somehow I like and hate those eyes of his.

"For what?" Gazing down at him to find any other emotion, Tanjiro showed him his guilty smile. "I-I talked there..."

How annoying.

"Nobody cared about your voice anyway. It's fine." I tried to keep calm of course. "If you say so..." thankfully he stopped moping. I sat beside him but with distance as I wanted to see or watch the beautiful moonlight. Only for him to interrupt it by questioning me about that drunk man. "Um, Tsukihi-san what happen to that man though?"

I sighed and flicked his forehead.

"Ow!"
"Done pleasuring him."

When he heard that I intercourse with such man, Tanjiro's obvious virgin ears went red and he panics. "I-I shouldn't have really-"

I hush him by my finger. "Shh~" I smirks though.
Tanjiro's expression is priceless, he was blushing.

So tempting to attack him.
I just have to keep calm.

"Sumiko it is fine." And teased him more, he pouts. "D-drop that name p-please!"
I chuckles. "Ok now, just be silent."
He was a good boy...truly...an obedient boy.

'Just like Sumiko.'

If they are the same person, will I be able to devour him and make him mine...?

...

Anyone's POV

'Frankly...I cannot shake my own thoughts.' Tanjiro admits. 'Maybe because am in such place that...am so bothered by it.' To be expose in a Red Light District with bunch of pretty ladies and seeing what they were doing with customers is...truly it can affect him since he doesn't have room for training his body to be in shape.

He isn't a Demon Slayer anymore.

'Lately...if my head won't hurt from the memories of Hanafuda, my head will be either replaced by Tsukihi-san's exotic beauty.'

Tanjiro a 15 years old boy who never had a love interest because he stood as a father for all. To think he had a thing for older women and Lady Muzan was no exception.

'This is very bad...' He shakes his head. 'Am growing up maybe! But...' glancing at the sleeping Nezuko to their futon. 'I cannot leave Nezuko alone.'

"Sumiko are you here?" It was Tsukihi's voice. "Y-Yes?" Hearing a command. "Hide your sister, We will have visitors." With no questions Tanjiro gently put Nezuko to her box then hide the box behind the closet.

A few moments later some men went to the room and they talked.

Tanjiro whose in Sumiko mode just shuts his mouth.

Eventually he was told to get out and hang out with Koinatsu if the woman is not busy.

Sadly Koinatsu and others are busy.
For tasks, they did not gave him any ever since he got a fever.

'Everyone surely takes care of health issues. Because it is this kind of industry after all.'

Nobody should look down on simple illness, or else they cannot entertain people physically right?

Because Tanjiro was bored, because he had literally not spoke at all...his throat became so soar that he...

'I'm thirsty.'

Reaching the bar he did not need to ask water since everyone can just grab free drink and glass to be used if you are not a customer of course.

So he found it and drunk it.
Not knowing it wasn't water at all.

Tanjiro had plunge himself to another mistake.

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Muzan whose done with his meeting to the men earlier...those are actually men he hired to spy on some suspicious people called demon slayers.

'With this they cannot get to me.'

Knock,knock.

Wondering who was it, "Come in." The door slide and it was a drunk Tanjiro. "(Hic hic)"

What a rare sight and impossible to imagine the good boy Sumiko would be..."Lady Muzaaan...let me enter..." he wobbles to close the door and goes towards her.

Lady Muzan rolled 'her' eyes up. "You are already inside fool. Are you drunk or something?" Tanjiro rubs his head causing the ribbon to get remove revealing his natural hairstyle. Proof he was a boy all along. "(Hic hic) I'm not drunk...! Drinking is not allowed in our family till the right age!"

Lady Muzan whose at the futon gave him a stupid look. "You are indeed drunk, let me guess you thought it was water and you keep drinking it since it taste sweet without any taste of actual liquor. Perhaps with your damage nose this is what you get...stupidity."

Out of nowhere Tanjiro falls onto her. "..?!" Laying at the futon, Kamado Tanjiro had a serious look on his face and asks. "Lady Tsukihi, don't you think the moon tonight is so pretty?" Then giggles like a kid he is. "Hehe. (Hics)"

Furrowed eyebrows, Lady Muzan commands. "Get off me or I will show you how to reach the moon-" but Tanjiro zoomed his face to 'her's'.

"I...always wonder you know? If your lips were soft...if...if your skin are fluffy...I want to squeeze them with my hands."

Lady Muzan who for a moment saw Sumiko instead of Tanjiro softens her shoulders. "Tanjiro-kun...?"

It was like back then...when Sumiko confessed his feelings.
It is something Muzan misses.

Drunk Tanjiro keep speaking out his feelings. "I was always curious how women feels...but I do not have the rights at the moment." Chuckling at the boy who says random stuffs, "You are saying that but you are already hovering above me. Make up your mind Tanjiro-kun." But Tanjiro looks so sad as he continued. "I can't fall in love or make love to anyone until my sister...until Nezuko is freed from her curse. Until she is back to human...till then, I cannot...I just cannot commit..."

'Ahh nostalgic.' Muzan does remember something similar like this in the past. 'I think I heard this before.'

Him and Sumiko arguing back then.

["Its not like that! It is just...am on my limit Muzan-sama!I cannot act normal in your presence anymore...!"]
["What do you mean...? Were friends, so say it..."]
["I have gain such impurity in me...I..I has indecent desire to be with you Muzan-sama."]

-memories from chapter 5

Lady Muzan says, "I don't think you are her brother but her father, if that is how you portray it." Tanjiro whose enchanted from the drugs applied to his nose and the liquor kicking in his head he took some hair strands from Lady Muzan's side curl bangs.

"Lady Tsukihi... I wonder if you smell nice...I mean," he leaned to Lady Muzan's neck to sniff making Lady Muzan felt a bit discomfort from the sudden stunt of invading his privacy. "Hold it-" It was easy to escape, it is just Lady Muzan's body rejects to defy what is about to happen.

"No matter how much I try to smell you, I cannot pinpoint your scent...by your looks, you smell so good perhaps...but then again my sense of smell is still broken...I'm sorry."

Pausing.

"..." Lady Muzan's lips parted, "Are you perhaps saying you are attracted to me Tanjiro-kun?" The boy he was suppose to toy with is now offering himself like this...there is no need to force him to bed.

Tanjiro with a pleading look, how cute and innocent it was yet...the boy ask the permission he would likely not be able to say if not in drugs and drunk. "I don't know, but can I touch you?"

Laughable.

'To think he was this easy to obtain.'

If only he can use his real voice he would done an evil triumphant laugh but, Muzan controlled himself as the woman she needs to role for.

Our Lady Muzan does an evil smirk and pulled Tanjiro's face closer.

"Ara~ara Tanjiro-kun, asking me for such a lewd permission what a naughty boy you are~who would have guess that you are also a wild wolf? Hm~?" Tanjiro who did not even struggle,he just blushed and you can feel his body in heat. "Lady Tsukihi..." Muzan thought he was playing with him but perhaps he just really wanted to recreate his relationship to Sumiko.

"Fine~ am in a good mood, am also curious how you taste like~Tanjiro-kun I give you permission to do things with me tonight while the moonlight is nile~" Pulling Tanjiro's jaw in a soft kiss. It was Tanjiro's first kiss that he absent mindly cups Lady Muzan's cheek and kisses back. Muzan knows it was his first so he wouldnt just insert his tongue to his, instead he teased him with smooching and nibble. The drunk Tanjiro is already blushing and eventually he fell to the deeper temptation.

To be awfully honest.

"Tsukihi-san...you are so beautiful." Even though Muzan know he was just drunk, Muzan cannot help but feel flattered at his compliment. There were faint red cheeks on him or maybe it was the make up in his face.

"Ara~Tanjiro-kun...thank you~" Allowing Tanjiro to touch 'her' female body, squish here and there. "You are so soft and delicate Tsukihi-san...can I expose more?"
Muzan is just falling over the lust to Sumiko's adorable reincarnation.

"If you plead like that I might come to soon~you are adorable Tanjiro-kun."

And so the Nile was woke.

Those red fingers cuts off the green grass to the boy's body. The kimono of his falls of, same time Tanjiro played beneath the black kimono of Lady Muzan who felt his rough palms were battered and beaten.

Somehow they also feel attractive to his soft skin to those hard and not smooth hands of his.

"T-that's right make your hands useful Tanjiro-kun..." even though Muzan has done this a lot of times with others, something about the heat of Tanjiro's palms making 'her' turned on. "Ah!" Moaning."Tsukihi-san..." Tanjiro kisses her cheeks and licks on her neck, still drunk...his other free hand that wasn't in her forest skirts, is rubbing her chest. It slip out her kimono to reveal how huge and bouncy they were.

Tanjiro is getting out of control to hos breathing and cursed inside his mind. 'Dammit...I want to put it in already...I'm sorry lady Tsukihi.'

This night, it was like the Heian period where he and Sumiko became one.

The demon eyes of Lady Muzan glows in lust and so red, good thing Tanjiro is busy and did not notice her eyes were not of humans. 'These touch...those eyes..it looks like Sumiko's...such caring yet a fire in it. Even though I hate him...Sometimes I wish he was still here as mine...just mine and nobody else.'

To think he killed and allowed him to burn out of jealously back then is something Muzan cannot admit a huge mistake.

"Sumi...ko..."
"...hn?"

It is happening, how their bodies were collide together. How Nezuko in her box and inside the closet is forgotten, it was getting out of control.

Lady Muzan is hungry. "Tanjiro-kun...kiss me more. Be a man." Forcing the boy to be violent but he was gentle still.

Tanjiro even said something that can control Muzan's seven heartbeat as he remember his priest of fire.

"I love you Tsukihi-san, am burning for you right now...I apologize if it is too sudden...am a man in puberty too you know? I like women."

Ah damn it.

Kibutsuji Muzan want to go back to the past so they went deeper in the forest of lust.

The Red light sparks.

Exchanging their breaths and taste, none of it matters.

They allowed this demonic relation to be here active for tonight.

"Tanjiro-kun, Tanjiro-kun! I like it rough and fast...don't be a weakling and...and seed me up! Make it out! Come on!" but Muzan's head says a different name. 'Sumiko...Sumiko...Sumiko...'

without the other's knownledge.

"Tsukihi-san...tsukihi-san..ahh-"

It was like riding the edges of mountain. When they reach the top they just got to rest after succeeding invading the mountains as it explodes.

"Haahh..." Panting. Tanjiro collapsed at her naked chest.

A bit surprise. "Tanjiro-kun?" Tanjiro is snoring.

"..." Lady Muzan chuckles and pets his hair. "Looks like the spell broke~"

The night of moon ends.

Muzan would never thought this was a huge mistake too. Something in his cells will morph without him noticing.

With him thinking so lightly of the seed he got from the descendant or reincarnation of his lover.

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"Huh...I'm back at the room?" Right now Tanjiro woke up in the morning. Couple of rubs at his head a memory flashed in his eyes. "Wait up, I actually with...Tsukihi-san!" Gasping and now covering his mouth by remembering what the hell happened last night. "T-this got to be a mistake." Nervous laugh, though the said woman should be by his side at the futon naked is as expected nowhere to be found.

So called albino skin sickness.

Tanjiro still remembers who the hell it was.
How soft they were and how fair it was...how tasty it became till the end.

Yes he just lost his virginity to the most beautiful woman he seen so far than Tamayo.

Pulling his own hair. "Aaaahhh...!" His scream was forced to be on low volume as he did not want to wake others at this silent morning nothing but birds chirping.

Tanjiro's body shakes, the proof of that happening is how he is naked and how the room is dirty!

'This cannot be! Did I j-just...I have a one night stand! I hope I didn't get her pregnant shit! I'm sorry Nezuko! When nii chan promised to focus only at you i ended up being animal in heat! What should I do?'

Speaking of Nezuko, Tanjiro covers his body by the sheet and opens the closet where Nezuko's box should be.

Opening the box, Nezuko is actually awake in her chibi form and stares at him.

Oh please do not tell him that they did that and Nezuko is present!

"Nezuko forgive your big brother he had sin! He was a dirty man!" Apologizing to her because most likely her little sister heard the performance from last night.

Expecting her demon sister to be disgust or even understand what he said...
Nezuko walks out of her box, grows back to normal size and pats his head.

"Mmpp~mmhp!" She was not mad though.
Crying in tears of joy that Nezuko did not seem to mind or maybe she was asleep when it happened. "Nezuko!" Tanjiro hugs her little sister even though only the sheets is covering his naked body. "Please do not hate your big brother...I still promise to turn you back to human! I never forgot that! I promise!"

Meanwhile in the infinity fortress.

Lady Muzan returned there to check his Twelve Demons.

Muzan heard another pillar is headed to the Red light district so he wants to be prepared for the worst.

After discussing plans, Lady Muzan storm out due to anger that the Demon Slayers are still coming for his neck in Red Light District.

According to Daki's memory she escaped and left the flame pillar.

'Useless!'

Meanwhile Kokushibo and just like others saw the mental connection and memories of their beloved master.

To think the reincarnation of Sumiko had develop already such relationship with Kibutsuji Muzan, truly it must be history repeating itself.

Feeling some sort of jealousy, Kokushibo suddenly went to Lady Muzan's quarters.

"Muzan-sama...may I kiss your feet?"

Muzan whose too hot head to even bother on reading his demon's mind at the moment, yells at him. "Kissing my feet wont change the fact that demon slayers are populating!" Still Kokushibo kisses lady Muzan's feet. Making Muzan shock and suddenly 'her' anger have calm down. "Well, ok...On second thought Kokushibo you did well killing a Pillar back then, I believe you can do it again."

Muzan whose too focus to keep his Sumiko by his side under the name of Kamado Tanjiro.

Kokushibo can only wait patiently till the same tragedy occurs.

"Yes for you."

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Meanwhile in the human world that night time arrives.

'It was horrible. Definitely so bad I may deserve to die.'

Tanjiro hated himself for doing one night stand to someone like Tsukihi. Not because she was basically a whore, but it is because...'I took advantage of her job!'
Claiming himself as a awful man!'

Tanjiro thought his first would be out of love and dating but it was something forced.

Scratching his own head. 'Arrghh! Am so stupid! I should never ever drink liquor if that is how it would affect me!'

Actually it was not the liquor's fault but the drugs that had been lingering in his nose.

If you make them mix up, the drugs and liquor... surely nobody can stop their devil side.

And Tanjiro is a growing up boy. If Nezuko does not exist or more like if his family is alive and has enough for living he might look for a wife and be happy.

Like you know, creating his own family.

Having a deep sigh, in their quarters, Tanjiro whose in Sumiko disguise still has not notice something is wrong.

The place is awfully quiet.

Until...

"Tanjiro?" A voice he heard before. Snapping his head he found in front of him is Zenitsu in twin tails and ugly make up.

His heart jumped but his physical reaction remained stiff.
Sweatdrops. 'Z-Zenitsu...?' but his lips remained shut.

As for Zenitsu, he points at his friend whose alive. He actually wanted to jump and hug him but the appearance of Tanjiro is just like theirs which is weird.
"Tanjiro...T-Those...clothes...you in a cross dress too?"

'Oh no. I had been found...!? Also where is Koinatsu-san and others...?!'

The place is too silent that he gets anxious of trap-ness.

Badump, badump.

Because Tanjiro sucks at lying and panic is his enemy now that he had met face with his longing friends.

He just spoke his thoughts to attempt on lying and it is another stupid mistake. "I-I'm not Tanjiro! My name is Sumiko!"
Behind Zenitsu is actually Inosuke in cross dress as well.

So sudden Inosuke shouts. "WHAT?! YOU ARE MONJIROOO!?" Grabbing Tanjiro's collar.

"STRIP!" Tanjiro struggles and felt attacked in terms of body exposure. "Kyah! Inosuke don't-!" Like some funny harassment, Tanjiro is able to push Inosuke away by head butt.

"AM NOT TANJIRO!"

WHACK!

"OW!" Ignoring the mess of his Sumiko outfit, Tanjiro prompt to run.

"I'M SORRY!"
"LET'S CHASE HIM MONITSU!"
"WAIT! TANJIRO!"

"Hahh,hahh!" Running outside, 'W-why are they here?!' Realizing why, 'Is a demon active here?! Then...we got to...Nezuko and-' running to the opposite side of the building to reach the yard of Tsukihi's.

It is like re creating his escape back there.
"Nezuko!" Entering their room from the yard. Nezuko is there just behave.

"Quick! Get in the box we got to leave this place!" Nezuko nods and goes inside her box.

Carrying Nezuko to his back while still in his cross dress, Tanjiro's Sumiko ribbon fell off.

Leaving a proof of his existence in this place.

Tanjiro part ways with it.

Tanjiro though he can only escape by going to the opposite side, however he got blocked by someone jumping on the roof and landed to his front.

"Where do you think you are going traitor~?"

"W-what?!"

Uzui Tengen appears!

"I see, flamboyantly~ so this is where you had been hiding huh! You got guts' to wear such outfit just not to be arrested by us...how far have you gone~?" An evil smirk of confidence from the slayer, Tanjiro can tell this person is strong by appearance. 'Why is that this person and the Demon Slayer I met last time seems different from other slayers...?'

Badump, badump.

"Tanjiro!"
"Kentaro!"

Behind Tanjiro were Zenitsu and Inosuke who just arrived.

"Tanjiro stop! We need to talk!" Says Zenitsu while running out of breath and then he made a face. "T-the sound pillar! Ekk!"

Never heard what pillar is or what on earth sound pillar means.

Tanjiro is in a pinch. 'Dammit, is this the end for us?!' Tanjiro knows if he gets captured it will be execution.

After all he was chased before and called a traitor in needs of punishment.

Tanjiro can only think of though, 'I should have left Nezuko there if I know I will be caught like this!' Regardless of thousands of terrible decision he made, his attention was taken when Uzui commands.

"Capture her! I mean him! Nice idea to cross dress!"

Good thing Zenitsu and Inosuke did not comply.
"But he is our friend!" Zenitsu reasons out.

Tanjiro cannot help but have teary eyes upon hearing that all this time he was still a friend to the two. 'Zenitsu...Inosuke...!' Gritting his teeth, Tanjiro took the opportunity to run again.

"HEY!"
And got chased by Uzui.

While running, Tanjiro reach his limit. The good thing is that... it seems to be he had been running around Red light district the people had become less as eventually nobody was out.

Or so he thought.

It was that moment...for some reason his sense of smell came back.

Not knowing the drug had to be applied every day, but Muzan has forgotten to apply that after their one night stand.

"Hahh..hahh...are they gone?" Stopping for a second to catch his breathing.
His nose had sniff something. "(Sniff sniff) what is that smell? F-food...!"

GROWLS~

Hearing his own stomach growls. "Oops!"
Blushing. "I haven't eaten-" his world crashed when he just spotted the familiar owl face eating at the minnie udon stall.
"Delicious!" Kyoujiro notice him too. "Hm?"

Tanjiro's body shivered as his head start to hurt.

Kring...))

'Oh no! It's h-him, Rengoku...K-Kyoujiro!'
The man he dumped or such.

About to turn his back and run again, "Hold it!" This time Kyoujiro drops the act and sound so scary as he grab Tanjiro's shoulder's. "You Kamado Tanjiro right?! Stop escaping, you will come with me!"

Tanjiro cannot take this stress anymore. 'No...I got caught! I will be executed!' Doing the silence instead of begging.

Tanjiro can only be concerned not for his well being but...his sister in the box. 'Nezuko! I got to save Nezuko!'

Kyoujiro warns him. "If you try to struggle I will hurt you."

Gulps.

Tanjiro pleaded to the heavens. 'Something please happen!' And his prayer is somewhat answered.

THROB...)))

"Hey!"

Kyoujiro who saw this before, Kamado Tanjiro's eyes look like in pain.

The boy even whisper under his breath. "My...head is.. uhghh..." then he clutch them softly before he fell to his arms.
"O-oi! What...he fainted?" The next thing Kyoujiro heard is Tanjiro's stomach.

GROWLS~

"O-Oh? he is hungry to death...and this box is..."

Kyoujiro who never forget his mission and dedication for demon slayer corps proceed to tie Tanjiro up and meet up with Uzui, Zenitsu and Inosuke.

Everyone headed back to the headquarters where the Oyakata-sama and the Pillars will judge Tanjiro's punishment as if it resembles how Sumiko was trial up for treason.

Kring...))
Kring...)))

Kring.

'Because I got so close...Tanjiro Sumiko's wild memories has taken over.'

Chapter Text

['Even if the memory came from ashes, still his body remember the pain.']

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"Tomioka Giyuu the traitor, to end your suffering we will send you to peace." Prays by Gyomei the Rock Pillar. Next to him is Muichiro the Mist Pillar. "You should explain yourself Tomioka. Not that I care..."

Right now Tomioka Giyuu is in prison. By means of prison he is jailed to a certain room with wooden bars.

This uses to be a cage for goats that Ubuyashiki used to have. But now it is use for people who needs to be grounded.

And the one who is experiencing this now is himself the Water Pillar whose not even the slightest affected that he is being treated like a criminal.

'It has been one month I was grounded here.'

Not eyeing any of them. 'I wonder how is he and his sister...?'

"Hey answer us!" Aggravated by Sanemi the Wind Pillar.

Inside his cage he simply justified his own point of view to them. "I do not need to explain myself. There is already a letter that Oyakata-sama should have read."

Iguro the Snake Pillar hissed at him, "You are rude!" Giyuu retorts back quickly and to their surprise there were no pause. "I have no excuse of my action. However I will only commit sepukku if what I had spare is a wrong decision. If it doesn't harm anyone there is no reason for me to take my life at the moment. However, you may torture me all you like...I shall not regret my actions until proven wrong."

Shinobu the Insect Pillar twitches by hearing the silent guy talked too much now just for someone else sake.

'Am aggravated why?' Shinobu thoughts how a stranger and a traitor for them had dine so much impact to him. Seeing Giyuu held such belief to whoever that Kamado Tanjiro is. "To think you can speak this much just for your treason to Demon Slayer corps, this is why nobody likes you Tomioka-san." She says while trying to hide her anger with a smile.

Then the Love Pillar's voice echoed, "B-b-big news!" Running towards them. Everyone cock their heads especially Iguro. "Kanroji?" Mitsuri takes a deep breath then announces. "K-Kyoujiro-kun and Uzui-kun had finally found and captured Kamado Tanjiro with his demon sister!" Giyuu's eyes gasp, everyone noticed it and they smirks at him especially Sanemi. "Looks like the reason for you to regret is here~!"

Alarmed, Giyuu grabs the wooden bars and glared at the devilish wide grin and crazy eyes of Sanemi.

He venomously spats, "Sanemi, don't you dare touch him till Oyakata-sama arrives." Sanemi laughs then he is visibly pissed off. "Haha? Haahhh? Who the hell do you think you are to command me?!" He left. "Ah-" Giyuu tried to reach out but everyone turned their backs as Mitsuri leads the way. "Quickly!"

When everyone left and ignored Giyuu whose obviously powerless, only Shinobu stayed.

Noticing the Insect Pillar's back and remained unmoving, Giyuu thought to take chances and ask politely but he lack the emotion in his voice when he pleaded.

"Kochou...I beg." Shinobu grits her teeth but immediately forced herself to smile and allow her voice to be smug as usual.

"...I'm in no position to make that promise for you Tomioka-san~" but then her voice went dark half way. "...well then stay here."

Then ditches Giyuu.

For the first time Giyuu feared, he did not felt fear on getting cage for that boy he spared...but now he knows he was captured and his sister.

This is not good.

"Tanjiro..."

As if this cell reminds him of the past...how he Guren, Sumiko and Toujiro was imprisoned for treason.

'Am going to fail?'

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Anyone's POV

'Why...why did this happen?'

Kring...))

He collapsed to someone's arm while running away it seems.

Forgetting the fact he was with Nezuko.

Tanjiro opened his eyes in the field of dreams.

'What I saw was a very horrifying memory. The name, his name, it exist there. Was it the same name? Is it a different person? Is it just...a coincidence?!... Then why...? Why do they resemble?!'

Tanjiro whose having a clearer view now of Sumiko's background story, he was overwhelmed with lots of emotion.

'I felt worried.'

["Muzan-sama... Where is your doctor?"] The man that used to have no face, reveals how he looked like. It resembles Kibutsuji Muzan in terms of hair style and color. Except he had pale blue irises, skin that looks like he won't literally lived long and hair is damn long.

Well it is Heian period, everyone had very long hair during this era.

The man named 'Muzan-sama' spoke with no remorse. ["He's gone."]

'Then I felt anxious.'

The memory jumped to where the man named Muzan-sama is on a deathbed. Sumiko insisted to be stubborn not to say goodbye.

["No. I will find you a cure!"]

'I hold his hand as if it was my life...'

["Huh?"]
["I will save you Muzan-sama. Please wait for me...!"]

When Tanjiro blinks he saw a large door that is called forbidden.

'I feel guilty.'

["Priest...Guren..."] Sumiko saw the person that looks like Tomioka Giyuu and scolds him.

["You will die! You know this is wrong. Throw that flower you pluck before it's too late...!" But Sumiko was stubborn to death. ["No. I wont let this hellish life predict our future. I'm sorry!"]

When he run away, Tanjiro heaves.

'I feel triumphant.'

A scene where Sumiko offers the blue spider lily medicine.

["Just drink it! It is a blue spider lily...since ancient times it has the power to overcome death...! Don't waste my effort! Once you are healed, let us go somewhere far...because...I...!"]

["Don't tell me...you cross the line for me?"]

'And the last thing I felt is betrayal.'

Tanjiro felt Sumiko's pain when he was forced to kneel down. ["Prostrate yourself criminal!"]

Then the despair surrrounds him when the king and queen accused him.
["Are you sure son it was him?"]

'It's him...Muzan...Muzan he was...!'

["Sumiko took the blue spider lily."]
["Eh?"]
["He was the one who turned me into a demon."]

'Sumiko's lover were Muzan-sama...and I was...I was his-'

["What?! How could you priest Sumiko?"]
["No! I...I saved his life, that's all..!"]
["By what? Turning me to a man eating monster?"]

'I...I...I just can't take this.'

Tanjiro knows tears were streaming down like water falls from his own eyes through Sumiko's heart ache.

'...T-this is too much! My heart hurts compare to my head...! My soul is screaming...!'

Tanjiro hope to stop his own broken heart.

"Speak!"

Someone shouts at him, the sun is so bright.

"...!?"

Tanjiro whose not aware that his eyes were wide awake outside the realm of dreams. "Ugh...?" Right now the Pillars are interrogating him to explain himself why he dis obeyed the law of Demon Slayer corps and the fact he has not taken his own life to atone for act.

"Oi, You listening?!"

Says by the Kakushi who pokes his face to pay attention to his surroundings. "Hey you! The Pillars are in front of you! Make yourself presentable! Prostrate yourself!"

The word prostrate stung him.

'Ehh...' Hearing such word, Tanjiro is still wearing his cross dress almost exposing his thighs as he is tied up from behind and laying at the cold pebbles in the ground.

He didn't care about how he looks like now. Tanjiro is focused inside his own world that he haven't realize he was captured.

"Tell us your reason on you betraying us!"
Yelled by Iguro.

Tanjiro now gasps and starts to have a somewhat raise of tension in his muscles by the memories versus the reality.

"T-this...posture..." he trembles and breaths heavily, "hahh..hhhaahh..." making all the pillars wonder why he is acting so terrified. His fear was not directed to them, that part was obvious.

The traitor is seeing something else.

"U-um are you okay?" Mitsuri tried to ask but Tanjiro continues to look uncomfortable and says. "...to...prostrate myself in the guards..." he mumbles repeatedly. "Prostrate...to kneel...to be shamed on...I..I...

Uzui annoyed. "What are you blabbing about-"

To their shock, Tanjiro jerks up to make an argument now. "NO! I ONLY DID IT TO SAVE HIS LIFE!"
Shinobu is worried that the boy is mentally ill or something. "K-Kamado-kun? Who are you referring to? Are you half asleep?"

Eyes widen. "H-huh? Who...?" Snapping from delusion, he finally notices the presence of many demon slayer. 'Huh? That memory was not the present...Sumiko was...was betrayed by that man...no...it was Muzan. I was in relationship with the devil himself, is that what it means!?'

Suddenly he felt a larger pain than his aching body to the sturdy pebbles at ground. "A...h...ahhh!" He screamed.

"Kamado Tanjiro-kun?!" Shinobu calls out.

Meanwhile Uzui, Rengoku, Iguro were alert. They think Tanjiro will attack them since he was jerking his hands to break free from the ropes.

"O-oi stop!" The Kakushi warns but visibly afraid.

Muichiro whose now annoyed too. "What's up with you?"

Tanjiro answers and pleads. "I can't breath...! My head hurts! My heart will explode...someone help me!" Everyone arch their eyebrows.

Shinobu wanted to advice Tanjiro to focus his breathing but...Uzui snorts, "You flamboyantly thought we will fall for that act?"
Iguro nods and crossed his arms. "Agreed. Most demons act like that when they are about to get killed. Do it better~"

Mitsuri though panics. "I-I don't think this is an act...I mean look at him...he is in such pain...?"

Tanjiro whose struggling to fight his terrible headache, he just bitten his lips.

Everyone gasps.

'Dammit...stop invading my head Muzan! Am not...Sumiko! There is noway! Noway am your lover or something...am nobody's reincarnation! This is a lie father...!' Tanjiro mentally fighting his memories with Sumiko. "Arghhh...! Someone make it stop! My head...!" Seeing his lips bleeds and that tears appeared on his eyelids.

Rengoku who doesn't understand why he felt guilty. "U-uhh.." he almost want to say on everyone to aid him but then they heard Giyuu's voice.

"Tanjiro..!"

Everyone made a face how Giyuu escape his cell is just another betrayal to them.
"What! Tomioka? How!" Angry Uzui and Iguro.

Tanjiro who barely can keep it together, he peek with one eye as the other eye of his were in tears of pain. "G-Giyuu...san...?"

The boy doesn't look good.

"Tanjiro-" Giyuu approaches but blocked by Gyomei. "You shall not pass am afraid."

Muichiro just watches.
Tanjiro saw how everything is going blurry, he is weakened. 'I cannot bare this truth...I want to sleep...' the truth is disheartening enough it makes him ill.

Noticing he is about to close his eyes permanently, the Kakushi shakes him by pulling his hair. "Hey don't faint! We still have meeting with Oyakata sama!"

Hurting eyebrows.

'This is a lie...false memories.. there is no way am Sumiko, Kibutsuji Muzan's priest. Were...lovers!? I cannot accept this!'

Words escape on his lips to keep on denying the truth. "Noway...are you saying am him?" Totally freaking out, Uzui marches forward. "What the hell are you blabbering about you freak! We don't understand a damn thing! Flamboyantly explain!" He kicks him.

"Ghh!"
"Hold it Uzui-san!" Scolds by Shinobu.

Tanjiro coughs and remembered something else. 'That is right...Nezuko...where is she?!'

Gulping his saliva and the taste of blood lingers in his lips. "P-please tell me where is my sister! At very least hurt me...not her...!" He chokes as he cannot maintain his breathing. 'Dammit am so angry right now!' He is still getting panic attack from Sumiko's negative energy and frustration of being captured. "Haha? Seriously?" Iguro laughs and mocks him. "Did you seriously think we became a Demon SLAYER just to spare one demon? You got to be joking with us this hard...!"

Rengoku twitches but kept his mouth shut.

Because right now, this boy...the person who hide himself in the name Sumiko...

Tanjiro he had that face that you can pity. "I-I'm serious...I cannot stay as my...self...help me." He sobs. Mitsuri tries to help the situation better. "U-um I don't think he is lying. Guys lets calm down and wait for Oyakata-sama's decision before we execute h-him..." Rengoku Kyoujiro click his tongue and looks at Giyuu who is still blocked by Gyomei.

"Tomioka...you know this boy so calm him down."

Shinobu eyed Giyuu and Giyuu for a moment taken back by Kyoujiro's offer that it is okay for him to approach Tanjiro whose suffering from whatever illness it is.

Giyuu nods and Gyomei surprisingly didnt try to stop him but he did questioned the Flame Pillar.

"What is the meaning of this?"

Kyoujiro can only watch and answer his team mates with honesty. "This isn't the first time this boy acted like this. When I crossed paths with him his head hurt badly that he lost himself...then how I captured him is easy. He simply had a headache and collapse. Maybe Tomioka knows how to handle him."

Its not like they are happy but they respect and trust Kyoujiro so much that they just okayed.

Giyuu who is actually told by Urokudaki that Tanjiro did have bad headaches time to time so this doesn't surprise him much, just worried of course.

'So he really had his short comings like this.'

He crouches to Tanjiro's level and checked on him. Shinobu is shock that Giyuu can be this caring when he never showed emotions for them.

"Hey Tanjiro...can you hear me? It's me Tomioka Giyuu. Your head hurts?" Tanjiro whimpers and nods. "I see." Then he looked at Shinobu. "Kochou, you have pain killer with you right? Allow Tanjiro to take some so that he can face Oyakata-sama without looking like this."

Shinobu is angry inside, 'So he can be this open.' She thoughts and took a deep breath to use her usual friendly smile which isn't in actual. "Ara, nice idea Tomioka-san...very well then." She reveals a bottle of pain killer and kneels to the same level as Giyuu to talk to the boy.

"Kamado Tanjiro-kun drink this,it is not poisoned okay? It will make you feel better..."

Gesturing the medicine to his face.

Tanjiro who looks up to Giyuu and eyed Shinobu, he tried to sniff. 'This smell...she isn't lying...nor Giyuu-san.'

Obediently he drinks the pain killer.

(Gulp,gulp.)

Finally he felt better. "Hahh..." he exhales.

Shinobu and Giyuu stood and looks at everyone. "Now let us wait for Oyakata-sama-"

"No need!"

Sanemi appears with the box...or.. "Nezuko!?" Tanjiro shouts.

Shinobu frowns. "Don't act out of order." She warns.

Sanemi chaotically laughs and stabs the box. "Oh come on now! Let us show the true colors of these demons!"

STABS!

"NEZUKO!" Tanjiro got triggered, and thanks to the pain killer his head doesn't hurt anymore and he can fight.

"Nobody...nobody hurts Nezuko!" And leaps to head butt Sanemi. "Pillar, Slayer whatever I don't tolerate anyone who hurts my little sister...!"

"Wha-"

BONK!

"GAH!"
"GHH!"

Both falls off the floor.

Before they can say anything... "Is everyone here?" It was Ubuyashiki Kaguya arrived with his two daughters guiding his steps. "O-Oyakata-sama!" Muichiro whose un interested suddenly gain emotions and kneels and so is everyone. "Oyakata-sama!"

Properly aligned to bow down before their master they highly respects. "Hello there my children." Kagaya smiles, "I'm happy you are still complete." He meant they were all alive.

Throb...))

Tanjiro whose head hurt again because he head butt Sanemi, he saw how all the pillars suddenly behaves themselves and even the person who stab Nezuko forced himself to kneel even though his head most likely hurt a lot.

"Apologies for the ruckus Oyakata-sama," Sanemi formally says. "Worry not, we will judge this boy a deserving punishment."

Tanjiro gain another angry eyebrows by that statement.

He was about to say something but then Kagaya chuckles into laughter. "Hahaha." It was light heartening to hear that Tanjiro calmed down. 'H-his voice so smooth what is this...? But somehow he resembles...' He noticed the shape of Kagaya's eyes and somehow his hair reminds him of a certain someone. 'H-he looked like Muzan-sama...' Shaking his head. 'W-why the hell am calling him sama?!'

Hating himself, the pillars wondering why their master is laughing, they voiced out.

"Oyakata-sama...?"

Kagaya inhales and exhales and properly address the concern of all. "Alright, I would like to start that I did not ask Kamado Tanjiro to be captured just to be killed."

"Eh?" Everyone is visibly confused. Kagaya continues, "I'm fully aware of Kamado Tanjiro's secret since the beginning. After all I receive a letter from Urokodaki Sakonji the former water pillar that he trained boy with a demon sister. Kibutsuji Muzan had made a direct contact to his family and they were unfortunately massacred. Now these survives, they are on a quest to find cure for her little sister that's why he fights."

Everyone made a disapproval face except Sanemi who is brave enough to spoke. "Were against that. This contradicts the oath of us demon slayer."

Kagaya kept smiling, then he ask a question to his daughters. "May you describe how Kamado Tanjiro looks like now my children?"

The two creepy girls answered. "Kamado Tanjiro had red hair and tanned skin. A scar on his forehead... Specifically he is wearing a female kimono at the moment and some hanafuda earrings with the kagura design on it to his ears."

Kagaya nods and that even pushes further puzzled faces to all.

"Oyakata-sama why does it matter how he look?" Finally Shinobu asks.

Kagaya looks at Tanjiro even though he hardly see him. Tanjiro gulps and felt nervous that he is seeing this man as the leader of the demon slayer corps.

"Tanjiro-kun...?"
"Y-yes?!"
"Are you perhaps the reincarnation of the Priest of fire? The fire pillar to be exact."

"Eh...?"

Shocked, Tanjiro's head is screaming on how come he knows?

"H-how..." he stuttered. Kagaya reveals, "I know Tamayo-san and to be honest my family used to be related to the priests in ancient times...There is a rumor that the priest of fire whose executed in Heian period, possibly is possessing every first born whose duty to traditionally wear ancient Hanafuda earrings."

Jaw dropping.

'Who is this person? I don't think I met him in the past...! But if he meant the origin of priests assembly, then it is possible he would have knowledge! Hold...did he say Tamayo-san?'

So many questions in his hurting head, Tanjiro tried his best. "Oyakata-sama...you and Tamayo-san-"

Kring...))

But he heard the bells.

"Nnn-" His head hurt again. "Ow..!" Kagaya stops smiling and commanded after hearing the boy in pain. "Release his restrains and aid him."

"What?! Noway! But why...!" All the pillars whined, except Kyoujiro, Giyuu and Shinobu.

But Kagaya ignored their complaints by raising a finger to his lips.

"Shh."

Everyone caught their tongues.

Satisfied, Kagaya directs his attention to the violent wind. "Also Sanemi...I need to talk to you personally later."

The Wind Pillar gawks. He doesn't settle to it but he forced to be obedient. "V-very well then...!"

Visibly angry.

On the other hand, Tanjiro whose still haven't acknowledge the difference of pillars to normal demon slayer ask for a favor. "P-please take my sister with me...!"

Everyone just looks at him and did not move a muscle.

So Kagaya acknowledge it instead. "Of course, I actually need to talk to you one on one too and for the rest I will explain it properly." Scanning each of their face. "So allow Tanjiro and his sister to live for my sake." Then his head turns to Giyuu's spot. "After all, Urokudaki and Giyuu will commit sepukku if this turns out to be a bad idea."

Everyone gasp and they all complained but the end of the discussion they cannot defy their master.

"If that is your wish Oyakata-sama." Finally says by Kyoujiro as he secretly peeked to Tanjiro who just collapsed again.

'Kamado Tanjiro...' Kyoujiro's eyes narrowed. 'Who on earth is he that...Oyakata-sama mention the Fire Pillar?' Kyoujiro actually had a deep secret that he hasnt shared anyone. 'The connection of flame and fire pillar is a taboo...!'

Determined to find more he comply and everyone else did since they all love Kagaya.

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Tanjiro's POV

Ahh...that is right...I was sentence to death.

Trapped and shamed on.

I recall my lungs were crying.

["I want all the things that you and I had shared to be burned to ashes, to my very skin and bones...even my saliva! Everything makes me sick! So set me to death you see fit...one thing for sure, I hate you!"]

But wait, am the one who wished my death since I cannot bare to live any longer in shame...my gravest mistake.

It was sinful so I thought to punish myself out of last pride.

["You and your mouth...!" ]

My heart sank further when he throw his own pride at me.

We were like a same charcoal who refuses not to be sell for burning.

["By the way, your beloved Rengoku Toujiro, I throw him somewhere far from you. I wonder if he is alive~?"]

I want to cry and cry till I dried out but...I was so weak and nothing made real sense back then.

Especially when he made such face before I was sent to my last day.
["Bastard! What did he ever do to you? You were always jealous of him!"]
["So you do love him."]
["Huh?"]
["Tanjirou Sumiko...you are the devil here."]
["What the hell is that suppose to mean?! Come back here you coward...!"]

Oh wait...hahaha...

'Ahh...I remember now. I was Tanjiro Sumiko. A Priest of fire and...the lover of the devil prince named...'

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"Mu...zan...sama..." I noticed I woke up and a ceiling greeted me instead of the blue sky.
"Hm?" I heard a female voice, my nose worked on its own to sniff the unfamiliar room.

Smells like medicine...no, smells like flower?

'When is the last time I can smell things?' My head is floating as if the Red Light District memories had been a dream.

My memories were debating which one is real. Until the girl who tried to kill Nezuko before and offered me a drink is now here with me smiling like nothing happened.
"You are awake right...?"
I cant help but blush, I realize the good smell is coming from her.

She smells so nice.

"U-umm...?"
She properly introduce herself, elegant like a butterfly. "My name is Kochou Shinobu the Insect pillar." Hearing the word pillar still have no idea what is that so I repeated after her. "Pillar...?"

Shinobu-san chuckles and told me who exactly they are. "I see you are still confuse. Briefly, Pillars are the highest rank of demon slayer and the lowest rank were Mizunoto which is you are currently in mizunoto~"

I feel embarrass for not even knowing that, I politely apologizes. "I'm sorry, I didn't know such thing e-exist..." then I noticed my body doesn't feel pain anymore. I just felt light headed that's all. Shinobu-san continued to speak to me with her fake smile that I smell a hidden anger but...I don't think it was directed at me.

"It's fine also, we changed your clothes if that is fine with you. I mean wearing that kind of cloth surely felt awkward somehow fufu~"

I blinks and looked at my body, she is right!
Am wearing different clothes!

They basically witness me in that kind of clothes before this fluffy refreshing clinical clothes!

My face surely flushed bright red. 'She meant my crossdressing!' Praying they can just erase that in their memories...I decided to be thankful instead to drop the topic. "T-thanks. I appreciate that..." then it clicked to me, she isn't here? 'Wait...Nezuko-' Before I can even say it, Shinobu-san cuts me. "Your little sister is here, look at the box. She is fine now I guess. She was sleeping." I sat up and followed her pointing finger to an open box where my little sister is behaving like a mole.

"Nezuko...I-I'm glad!" I forgot about bed and run towards my beloved little sister. "Your wounds have closed am glad! You did your best Nezuko not to attack that awful guy! Thank you!" Rewarding her a pat on head, Nezuko gave me an "Mmmp!" She looked happy.

Meanwhile Shinobu-san approaches me and tap my shoulders. "Now, now don't cry." She wiped the lingering tear drops on my eyes due to happiness of seeing Nezuko all good. "Oyakata-sama said once you are able to gather your thoughts he wishes to speak with you regarding your situation."

Oh wait. "R-right..." Oyakata-sama said something about being related to...
"Does your head still hurts...?"
I absentmindedly touch my head to confirm since I hadn't been thinking about my own health due to fear of loosing Nezuko.

Hmm, "N-not anymore..." I sheepish smiles and thankfully Shinobu-san accepts it as that.
"I see. That's good." Then she went back to her chair. I followed her to the other chair and stared at the floor.

I was in a deep thought. 'My memories are all fuzzy as always but then again...am Sumiko's reincarnation right? Then hoe come we don't feel the same...? I don't feel affection to that bastard except hatred. I may remember the life back then but what if am just possesses and those memories is not actually mine?'

I'm frankly confuse at my own existence now. Because if am Sumiko himself then why my thinking is not the same as him? Glaring at the floor, I clutch at my pants.

'This heart doesn't belong to him after all.'

Raising my head, I need an advice and I smell she can do it for me. "Shinobu-san I know this is strange to ask but... is reincarnation real?" As expected she was startled but she kept on my phase to follow along. "Eh? Uhh you mean your past life?" I confessed even though I just met her, she looked like a rational person to tell your thoughts so I just...simply... "I...I saw myself having a relationship with Kibutsuji Muzan it was strange in my chest but my mind was disgusted, my soul was angry..."

I smell it, she was startled again but her physical appearance showed no signs of being shock.

"Excuse me?"

Then again I got confused at my own actions.

My mind, body and soul...maybe the heart they are not on the same goal.

Finally I realize something is wrong with my decision.

Internally scolding myself. 'Wait! Why am sharing this on her?! I just met her!'

Right, right...let us be calm and think properly!

"Sorry! Please forget about it...!" I thought she will be disgusted but she smiles back with uncertainty instead. "Actually...Oyakata-sama said something like that when you fainted."

...

"Eh?"

Shinobu-san told me, "He told us that you, Kamado Tanjiro is connected to Kibutsuji Muzan and this is a story from the ancient times." I cannot believe someone else knows about the myths. "Did he mean...the spirit of...my.." Shinobu-san nods. "Hanafuda Earrings. The Priest of Fire, a rumored Pillar of Fire as well. Who on earth are you Tanjiro-kun? Can you expose it to us...? The truth of you."

Oh yeah, Oyakata-sama did said something about realtions with Tamayo-san right? And these earrings...

To be honest...

I felt like am invaded for privacy now.

"I...am.."

...

Anyone's POV

"Tanjiro-kun am glad you are up. I wish to discuss to you the tale of yours."

Greeted by Ubuyashiki Kagaya, as for Tanjiro he was thirsty for answers.

Unable to control his worries he started throwing questions to the demon slayer head. "Why? Why do you know these earrings and the fact that am somewhat-"
Kagaya inserts the story from the past to calm him down. "Ubuyashiki Clan. They are the ones whose managing way back the priest of blessings. We used to be known in Heian period as the High Priest Ubuyashiki. The Clan of flame priests and the powerful devotees of the sun and moon gods. Kibutsuji's relative, the Ubuyashiki Clan."

Tanjiro is silent as Kagaya continues. "The Nichirin used to be a sacred memento for priest. However its duty changed when the first demon was born. The dark prince in heian period...that is no other than Kibutsuji Muzan. My clan is the far away relatives of his which is why you, him and I are all acquainted."

Gasping out of breath, Tanjiro's body trembles. "Noway...then my memories...are...real?" His heart throbs anxiety. 'Meaning I was burned to death by him...?'

It was a fearful death.

Kagaya who can feel Tanjiro's anguish but decided to clarify important things. "Tamayo-san had a guessed that you are perhaps the reincarnation of the Fire Pillar named Yoriichi." Gaining back attention to the matter, Tanjiro asks back. "Fire Pillar...but why? Why is this happening? Also why Tamayo-san didn't tell me the truth?"

Kagaya shuts him off by an arrow of facts.

"It is because you are Tanjiro Sumiko right?"

Cat caught his tongue, he clawed his pants. "That's..."

He can only mentally reply. 'To be true am not sure myself.'

Deciding to disregard everything but prioritizing the present him, Tanjiro declares with clear eyes and it roars gracefully. "No, for me am Tanjiro, Kie and Tanjuro's son. Regardless if those rush of memories in my head are mine or a memory forcing itself to become one with me, from a dead person."

Tanjiro glares at the wall. 'I still don't think am Sumiko himself even though I remember everything now.' A little bit doubts inside, 'The feelings I have does not match with his so I even doubt if am actually...'

Kagaya who paused finally let out a respectful smile. "I see...then you must have heard the myth." Caring for the boy's future, Kagaya adds more. "The owner of hanafuda earrings...stole the forbidden Blue spider lilies just for one man's sake. The future emperor, king of japan. However...people discovered this sin. The owner of the hanafuda earrings was punished by the believers. The charcoal was burned alive and the demon lord couldn't save that person."

Kagaya is actually testing where Tanjiro's loyalty lies now if his original feelings for the demon lord had come to haunt him.

Tanjiro who did not notice the observant eyes of Kagaya because of his sick appearance and light heart atmosphere, he made a promise.

"Oyakata-sama! Me and Nezuko will definitely end the cycle of despair by taking the head of Kibutsuji Muzan! I swear even with my own life...Even if I burn again...!"

Kagaya likes his guts and smiles before dropping a joke.

"Yeah, but defeat some upper moon first okay?"

Exploding in embarrassment, Tanjiro shrinks and comply. "Y-Yes sir."

Their meeting ended.

Walking through the hallway. Memories of happy days flashes pictures in Tanjiro's mind like an old TV.

["Lets see, If I will reach that day...I want someone who always smile, a bit of an idiot, hard working and obedient. Will do anything I ask for no matter how embarrassing or hard it will be. I want that person to be only loyal to me."]

Muzan having a sudden evil smirk in his pale lips, his eyes landed to him, he was him...Sumiko.

["Just like you...Priest Sumiko."]

Blushing hard, Sumiko or Tanjiro reacts to it.

["What?!"]

To see and hear Muzan laughs light heart like Kagaya, it thorns him apart.

["If only you were a girl...I guess I would have ask your hand."]

Tanjiro had believe it, that lying mouth of dead corpses.

Angrily clenching his teeth from the sickening memory.

Tanjiro curses.

"Unforgivable-"

Until he met someone at the hallway who block his way back outside to get back to the butterfly estate.

It was... "Tanjiro are you okay now?" No other than Tomioka Giyuu, the water pillar.

Suddenly all his anger had been washed away literally like a water would wash off your worries if drench in it. "Ah." Tanjiro happily greets him back and thought to make a conversation further than hi and hello. "Yes! What about you Giyuu-san! They didnt punish you right...?"

Giyuu explained briefly as he did not want him to worry, more like he suck at telling a story if not about killing a demon despite it's family member begs to keep their converted blood relatives.

"They locked me up but I was never hurt. It is fine."

Even by such summary, Tanjiro can smell Giyuu had a lot of trouble so he made an apologetic look. "I-I'm sorry." Shooking his head, Giyuu's cold eyes lifts up with shock. Unable to stop himself, the reincarnation of priest of water marches forward to lift Tanjiro's chin to properly see him eye to eye.

"If you do feel that way?"

For some reason their eyes stared at each other. Tanjiro's eyes were watery but not close to crying.

'Ahh...he is awfully worried.' Giyuu blames himself for this boy to be emotional. 'But he does not dislike me right?' Deciding to change the topic as he let go of Tanjiro's chin. "..May I ask Tanjiro?" Tanjiro who kept the same face.

"What is it?" Giyuu clear his throat. "Do you remember me...?" It was a question but to Tanjiro it reflected like a close and open question. Tanjiro did not even think deeply of that question, he took it as clarifications if maybe Giyuu wants him to never forget how he spared their lives in that fateful snowy day.

"Of course I do, there is no way-"
"Sumiko."

((BADUMP...))

Tanjiro froze. "...eh?"

To see Giyuu with eyes vast like the ocean, the storm is calm yet like a child of river echoes its old story. "It's me, Tomioka Guren."

Giyuu introduce his true identity to him flatly.

Gaining his thoughts but too rumble to expose. "W-wha..." Giyuu whose dense to notice that Tanjiro is uncomfortable, he continued his confession. "I have it too those headaches, thar is why Urokodaki did not push to interogate your headaches. Because he seen it before. I was...a reincarnation from the past. And you are too right?"

Tanjiro hides his face by having a darker reaction. "...Is the past important?"
It was Giyuu's turn to freeze up. "Eh?"

Tanjiro reveal his displayed emotion by his face that he was sad and trying to smile. "You see, Giyuu-san...I honestly dont care about my past life. In fact it is literally a pain for me. To be reminded of something how horrible Sumiko's death was and how...I was..."

Giyuu though was pushy, "Sumiko-" about to touch the younger's shoulders, Tanjiro unfortunately puts some distance with a painful smile. "Giyuu-san, truly from the bottom of my heart me and Nezuko is grateful to you!"

Giyuu can only felt lonely a bit but with respect of understanding.

"Tanjiro..."

Tanjiro then runs away as he said, "Guren-san, from the past and this present please look after me." Giyuu who did not want to argue. "...Yeah. I will."

As he watch those familiar back of Tanjiro as Tanjrou Sumiko when he ditch him in exchange for stealing the blue spider lily.

Giyuu can't help but talk to himself mentally to support his own feelings for the boy.

'Because I love you...'

On the other hand, Tanjiro kept running until he almost reach the gates of Butterfly's estate.

He was actually guilty. 'I'm sorry Guren...I want to forget the past. I hate him, I hate him. I will take his head...Kibutsuji...Muzan...! Because for me Guren... The present is much better, am not alone anymore. In the past it is just you...me...and...'

(Gasp)

He stops and realize something he missed out.

"Could it be...Touji...ro...?"

KRING...))

Like a traumatic memory, suddenly it split his head and unable to recall that tragedy how he was driven beneath the moonlight of flames.

Tanijiro blinks. "I forgot his name. Weird." Then he glared to the blue sky. 'I love you Muzan-sama my ass...' starting to walk again to the right path.

"...the past is nothing. It doesn't define me. Am not the priest of fire anymore, the one been humiliated by Muzan. Because am Kamado Tanjiro...!"

The rest of the day Tanjiro spend his time with Inosuke and Zenitsu whose also hospitalize when they help the Sound pillar with the Demon Daki. Truthfully they did not look much beaten up but apparently they broke their ribs. So many things had happened when he collapsed on the flame pillar's arms.

Sitting somewhere he can be alone inside the butterfly estate, Tanjiro can't help but feel depress. It was weighing in his mind, '...I was killed like that huh...' looking at his right palm, recalling how he was arrested before execution. 'Its so painful that am terrified to be tied like that again.'

Uttering the painful word.

"Execution..."

Tap,tap,tap.

A shadow hover above's him, there were capes of flames. He was greeted.

"Kamado Tanjiro right?" Somehow it makes him feel cool to he greeted by his senior now that he knows that this owl face is a pillar. The highest demon slayer. Startled, Tanjiro stood from sitting position out of respect to greet him back with excitement.

"O-oh! R-Rengoku...san...!" Kyoujiro chuckles and opens up the topic. "That is your real name right? Not Sumiko..." Tanjiro wonders why that made him blush.

"Y-yeah." Then it went to silence.

"..."

Kyoujiro had that beaming smile compare to Tanjiro's shy smile right now.

To cut off the awkwardness and gap, Kyoujiro happily announces to him. "Congratulations!"
"E-eh?"

Kyoujiro pats his shoulders with enthusiasm. "You are back as a demon slayer again! Take pride on that! Haha!" Getting praise by someone cool as this man,Tanjiro got butterflies in his stomach and politely thanked Kyoujiro. "T-t-thank y-you!"

Kyoujiro laughs.
"Hahaha."
Tanjiro giggles.
"Hehehe."

Somehow the sunset approached already.
"What is your plan now?" Ask by Kyoujiro as they both sat. "I will find a cure for my little sister Nezuko. Then I will slay that bastard who killed my family." Tanjiro shares honestly.

Kyoujiro nods in understanding. "...Revenge huh."
Observing Tanjiro's features, the boy continued to open up his feelings upon all the troubles in his life.

"Probably, but am not the only victim. So I prefer to say it is not revenge but our duty to put an end to the misery of every human being had turned to a demon and were eaten by the demons!"

Amazed at such determination, "Kamado..." Kyoujiro saw the potential Tanjiro has as a demon slayer, he may even become a pillar someday.

"I swear!"
"I like that spirit of yours!"
"Really?"

Kyoujiro did not really plan to be closer or anything but he cannot ignore the lit of fire in Tanjiro's eyes. "Yeah! So how about become my personal pupil!" He proposed.

Tanjiro whose ears went hot.
"C-can I...!?"
"Yes!"

Both agreed to become closer.

"Ok then! Thank you so much Aniki!"
Shaking hands, nothing is wrong with that.

"Pleasure to be with you from now on! Kamado my boy..."

But then again, deep inside Kyoujiro he had this strange bond with Tanjiro.

'If I get closer, I maybe able to distinguish what is this hole I feel inside my heart every time I interact with him...This Kamado Tanjiro is so sweet yet something inside me burning up...? Like that old folktale my father used to tell me.'

Little bit they know this is destined to be.

'The Fire and Flame pillar cannot be friends again.'

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Finding the ribbon of Tanjiro.

"Sumiko..."

Lady Muzan quickly snaps his fingers to summon Nakime and teleport him inside the infinity fortress. His remaining Twelve demons already lined up to his presence. Kokushibo reports. "Daki died along with Gyutaro." Muzan who got tired of his crossdressing transforms as he swear in anger.

"I will take him back, Kamado Tanjiro is mine!" He is basically upset his toy escaped.

He regretted for not being more forceful.

Muzan rants to his demons who surely can't say anything back or else they will be killed out of spite.

"He doesn't belong to the demon slayers anymore...!"

However not his priest...Kokushibo spokes out his thoughts that he care deeply for his master.

"Muzan-sama aren't you being too obsess with him? I thought you want to kill Sumiko-"

SLASH!

Kokushibo's mouth got sliced, blood gushing from his body the rest of the demons like Akaza, Douma and Kaigaku stiffens.

"SHUT UP!"

Muzan is still transforming like a real demon he was...tentacles roaming around, the monster mouths all over his body opening up like wounds. He keep yelling at them or more like... "HOW DARE YOU ASSUME HOW I FEEL AND WHAT I THINK? ARE YOU TRYING TO TAKE CONTROL ON ME KOKUSHIBO..?"

Kokushibo had his wounds close due to their regeneration abilities did not utter a word, fearing to upset his milord more.

"..."
"ANSWER ME."

Kokushibo simply follow the command and answered with truthful words of fascination.

"...I love you Muzan-sama, I always had been harboring special feelings for you. That is why I was okay to be converted as a demon. Therefore I can tell, with or without our mental connection by our blood...I know you still love Tanjiro Sumiko, you still like him even when Yoriichi almost killed you. You...You love Kamado Tanjiro-"

It just irate Muzan more.

"ENOUGH!"

His cells running wild, "HAHH...HAHH...GRR...GHH..." Akaza suddenly speaks up. "C-calm down Muzan-sama." Douma also joined to lessen Muzan's tantrums of selfishness. "If you want Sumiko or Kamado Tanjiro back then just get him back~Muzan-sama. Isn't that possible?" Somehow that made Muzan flinch till his body have calmed down and morphed to his original male appearance. "To get him back..." It is easy but that meant endangering his location to the pillars.

Finally having rational thoughts, Muzan snap his fingers and Nakime presented a seat for her king.

"Here you go Muzan-sama."

Kibutsuji Muzan sits at his throne and validated the plan in his mind.

"No need. Tanjiro will eventually cross paths with me." He made an evil smirks and hinted in his eyes were excitement. "I don't know why, but I feel like we are still fated to meet again." Thinking how Tanjiro made loved with his female form, it just clicks to Muzan that this isn't a goodbye.

He grab his pockets and smiles at the pink ribbon left by Tanjiro.

The remnants of Sumiko.

"Kamado Tanjiro will be mine forever even after death, he is bound to me for all eternity. Sumiko must pay that price."

Not knowing something inside Muzan's body gradually changes...

Chapter Text

(("If there is next life...I would like to be closer to him than how we used to be close. No matter what crime he does...I wish to forgive it."))

In the past he said, before they part ways.

The flame priest regrets deeply his actions.

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Terrible sweat at bed, Rengoku Kyoujiro opens his eyes and tried not to pant as he felt a bit of cardiac arrest from a sad memory.

'I-Its that dream again.'

Kyoujiro made a heavy sighs as he get ready for work.

It was a bright day.

"I got to keep it together." Trying to motivate himself, he visits the Butterfly Estate.

Recently a lot of demon slayers getting injured, Sanemi is not happy how the demon slayers are bunch of weaklings now at this era. Kyoujiro actually agrees, if this keeps up they will be eradicated.

"We need to make an upgrade training to make good demon slayers!"

Somehow, the word 'good demon slayers' the red head boy pops to his mind.

'Like him?'

Walking inside, the fragments of Sumiko whispers.

(('Toujiro-san! Good morning!'))

He gasp.

...

Meanwhile, the other is also dreaming.

(("Yes,let's travel and conquer the world together Muzan-sama."))

Kring...))

(('Ahh...kami-sama...In my next life...please, I beg...I want to love myself and the people who would really love me. Never again fall for a demon like him.. please never...and please forgive my wrong doings. If there is a second chance...I will...'))

...

Tanjiro's lips automatically speaks out loud as he slowly woke up from his sleep.

"I will...?"

Hearing the bird chirping. "...What?" Tanjiro stretches and went to brush his teeth.

"What a lovely day!"

And head out of his room.

Walking around the hallway...he spotted something familiar. 'Hmm?' It was a small wooden box. Tanjiro touches it and lifts it up to have a better look. 'This box is just like the one at Tsukihi's place.' About to open its content, he was scolded.

"Don't touch that!"

"Eek?!"

Startled, he quickly turns around apologetically to the twin tailed girl in nurse outfit of hers. "A-Aoi-san! I'm sorry!" Grumpy Aoi explains herself for startling him. "Thats not the case, Its just that is a drug. If you accidentally drop it, everyone gets affected." Tanjiro pops a question mark at his head.

"Drug? But it doesn't smell any..."

Aoi points out why. "Its a drug that makes your nose numb to smell, if applied to your face or you get expose to it." Recalling a memory when he had a fever at red light district.

"Eh...? But..I saw...Tsukihi-san dip..." It makes his stomach ache from the suspicion.

"Is something the matter Tanjiro-san?"

Shaking his head not to make doubts, Tanjiro makes another clarification.

"Uhhh...why such drug exist for?" He wanted to believe her after all.

"Ah, it is usually used in Red Light District for the entertainers to be unable to smell their stinky customers. Otherwise its used opposite way, so that the customer wont smell the perfume they are using to drunk them like a prey to get more money. In our part, some demon slayer cannot handle medicine so for them to take it,we had to use it time to time."

His body throbs, to realize something creepy... "N-noway...A-actually this was applied to me when I was..." it doesn't makes sense. 'What does this mean?!'

Aoi cuts him off by adding, "Really? Oh, well you have a strong keen of smell like the previous water pillar Urokudaki Sakonji right? According to Tomioka-san...Maybe they cared for your sensitivity to the scent of bar, after all its all liquor and smoke right...? But yeah that is still strange if its applied to you. Its usually as said to hide something."

Hearing that reasoning made Tanjiro more disturb. 'C-could it be...my guts isnt wrong?' Still trying his best to trust his savior, Aoi took the box from his hand and starts to walk away. "Maybe that's why you hadnt track the smell of the Upper Moon back there? Who knows, anyhow Tanjiro-san you do have a good day."

Getting left alone.

"T-thanks."

Tanjiro is in a huge puzzle, he wish to be a detective if he had any talent on that. Because nothing but bad thoughts invades his mind now. 'Why would Tsukihi-san apply it to me? Could it be from the very beginning she had always...applied it to me? It took a month that I couldn't smell anything. This drug is the only explanable cause of it.'

Touching his own nose and small blushes on his cheeks remembering their one night stand.

'Tsukihi-san...I wonder how you smell?'

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Since the morning is very bright and peaceful, Tanjiro outside spotted the flame pillar enters the premises so he greets him.

"Rengoku-san! Good morning!"

Kyoujiro stop on his tracks, he misheard it as 'Toujiro' instead of his real name right now.

He gasp.

Tanjiro stops and stares.

"Um...?"

Awkwardly he greets back. "G-Good morning to you too."

Wondering what's up.

"Are you not feeling well Rengoku-san?"

Kyoujiro felt his own cheeks heats up from the cuteness of the little boy concern for him.

The face is something so adorable.

'K-Kyoujiro! Keep it together!' Even though he met him for the first time, something just feels special.

"LISTEN UP BOY!"

He suddenly orders,making Tanjiro stiff like a soldier.

"Y-YES?!"

Nervous on the flame pillar, he announces.

"WE WILL HAVE A DEMON SLAYER TRAINING!"

Behind Tanjiro is Inosuke and Zenitsu. "YOU TWO ARE INCLUDED AS WELL!"

"WHAT?!" Is Zenitsu's dislike yell. Inosuke shouts. "WHO ARE YOU TO ORDER ME AROUND GOOGLY EYE!"

Tanjiro's shoulders were captured by the taller man and he squeaks.

"R-Rengoku-san...?"

He zoomed his face to his and declares the plan. "Of course you are to take part of it too, to take back your demon slayer body grown boy!"

Tanjiro sense its a sparta with pillars.

"EHHHH...!"

...

Tanjiro's POV

And so the training of demon slayer happens.

'It was really challenging and fun training. Especially...him.' Even though we just met, something between us connects.

That am comfortable with Rengoku-san's presence. He maybe feel the same? I don't know, but that's how I smell it.

We eat together, We bath together with Inosuke and Zenitsu how crowdy and funny.

We shared stories and each of our own adventures, especially Rengoku-san's story how he became a pillar with Mitsuri-san.

Very interesting.

These days of tranquility and joy continued, until eventually it has to end.

On one night our training ends, the results were good. It just meant everyone has to go back to duty after.

It is time to depart. As I properly wanted to say goodbye to my...

"It has been 3months isn't? And now its over..." Rengoku-san said in a somewhat lonely tune.

Were here beneath the moonlight, a huge rock our backs resting. The rest of the demon slayers whose with us during the refresher are all sounded asleep.

A feast just happend to be given and everyone is drunk.

I don't drink so am not drunk,but Rengoku-san did drink a bit. 'Maybe I will see the real Aniki when drunk!' Just a positive thought came across my mind.

The serious gaze he had in his eyes how manly!

The wind blows.

WHOOSH~

The way his cape flutters, it just gets me excited that I ended up confessing.

"I really look up to you Rengoku-san...!"

The taller man looks stunned a bit, before he...before Rengoku-san faced me completely with glass figured eyes as he said to me.

"Kamado my boy...what if I tell you, you are more than that to me?"

"Eh-"

It escaped his lips.

"I...love you Tanjiro."

The word he just said made me startled and frozed for a second.

"E-eh...?"

Then Rengoku-san chuckles as he look down sorrowfully at the ground. "Just letting you know, you don't have to response back." As he told me the truth of why we are attracted to each other. "Back then you see...I have a dream where I regretted for not confessing my feelings for the person I loved, that person was stolen from me that I drowned in rage and sadness."

My eyes gasps, I mean...my memories as Priest Sumiko 'that' somehow I could tell that he may possibly that person that I forgot his name.

But I know he was very important.

"Is that...a possible..." I trailed off, Rengoku-san is quiet so I continued. "Past life." I said it with conviction. "Then...Rengoku-san you also have strange memories like mine?"

This time he reacted a bit confused.

"What do you mean?"

I shyly scratches my cheeks as I explained shortly. "You know, nostalgic thing."

Rengoku-san hummed in agreement.

"Hmm~I see. If so by chance maybe we did met." Then I fidgets.

Frankly I dont know what this is called and why would I even feel this against same gender. "U-um Rengoku-san..." but I dared anyway. "Yes?" I took a deep breath and bring up the courage to identify the feelings I has for him that maybe indeed mutual.

"T-truth is...I also think, that maybe I like you that way...b-because every time were together I feel so squishy and hot in my chest. M-maybe I...am also-" all of the sudden he took my shoulders up and kissed me.

"Mmff..?!"

We stayed there for at least 2seconds before Rengoku-san pulled away slowly and careful...our eyes glued for a moment of crystal sunrise in our background.

"There, did you hate it?"

Not gonna lie...

"I..I didn't."

Rengoku-san smiles and pats my shoulders.

"Then that means, you do like me as well for not getting disgusted at the kiss Tanjiro." He answered for my confused self.

"Rengoku-san..." he corrected me more gentle than ever with his beautiful smile I admired a lot.

My Aniki.

"Call me Kyoujiro from now on~" the hands of Kyoujiro gently rubs the back of my head and pulled me again closer.

"Kyou...ji.." setting my mouth apart to welcome the incoming connection of our lips. "...ro...san.." I purred. "Mmmh..."

I, Kamado Tanjiro had officially accepted Kyoujiro as his lover.

Not knowing behind the bright light, a shadow lurks to end it so quickly.

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Anyone's POV

Muzan had been spying on Tanjiro, the term of stalking is not really his thing but he just happen to accidentally find him.

And when he did, through one of his lowly demon eyes that he can see...he just happen to witness the priest of flame reincarnation kissing his Sumiko.

His Tanjiro.

Like...AGAIN?

"What? He is a descendant of that filth or perhaps also..."

Muzan bite his lips and clawed his own palms out of anger. It was the source of his infinite jealously and childish tantrums.

"Rengoku...!"

When Muzan thought he can finally have Sumiko's reincarnation solo, when he thought finally to slowly take him back to his side.

"Again history repeated itself." Muzan huffs, "How many times do I have to exterminate the likes of yoh thieves...?" Muzan just couldn't forget how close those two,and even in present they still in good terms even after all the years passed.

Vexing and unfair.

"They cheated on me, I wont forgive this." With that venomous remark, a sick idea came to his head, Muzan snaps his finger to summon his upper moon.

"Akaza."

"Yes?"

Muzan glared as he commanded.

"...That flame pillar, eliminate him."

Without question, Akaza bowed.

"As you wish Muzan-sama."

Then disappeared.

As said Kibutsuji Muzan is not happy, not at all.

"Kamado Tanjiro...I wont let you live happily while I suffer from this curse of not being able to walk in the sun...never."

An evil smile a crossed his lips.

"Tanjirou Sumiko." For him this is another pay back time. "You are mine only."

...

Someone is drowning in happiness, a soft and warm fuzzy feelings of flames in his clear blue sky heart.

Unable to trace the dark memory he had once before the man that confessed his loved to him properly this time without force.

Tanjiro and Kyoujiro at futon. Tanjiro is first to wake up and noticed the other is sleeping heavily and peacefully to his left side, a small smile escaped his lips. "He looks like a baby." Fixing some of the bigger man's hair stand.

The two were naked, meaning they really did it.

That night they decided to combine fire and flame in one torch.

How the torch exploded repeatedly with tender ashes. It was an amazing experience for Tanjiro's first time.

'To do it to the person I love, I don't mind being bottom.' That may sound weird but, Tanjiro careless whose supposed to be doing it. Tanjiro allowed to be taken over by a hungry wolf from last night, remembering how it repeatedly penetrated his inside.

His breathing technique were over joyed.

'I thought at first its all a dream.' Rolling to the other side of the futon to see the bright sun shining down, right now these two were in a small motel inn near the demon slayer camp.

They started doing it behind the rocks and hide in forest, but Kyoujiro said its better if they do it properly were its legal.

In a motel and thankfully nobody even questioned why two men went in one room as long as its paid.

Tanjiro started to get his pajamas prepared by the inn. The white brand new fabric touching his skin that is soaked from last night's wild kisses.

Tanjiro subconsciously touched his own cheeks from the sweet memory.

'Kyoujiro-san's fingertips, his touches, everything feels comfortable.' Small memories of Sumiko being violated pops out to his mind and he felt a bit disheartened. 'However, there are times I feel small fear when we get intense. I know why, but I want to pretend it never happened.'

After that, their relation ship continued. Whenever there is opportunity to show love to each other they would do it.

To erase the existence of being Muzan's past lover.

'...Because if I acknowledge it...it would just meant that I has lingering feelings to the one who actually broke my heart and dump horribly.'

...

Tanjiro's mind overflowing with that thinking. Even though it had been at least one month they were in a relationship, sometimes...just sometimes Tanjiro is worried.

Because he remembers who he was and how it affects the present him.

Something uneasy is getting in the way.

WHOOSH~

The wind blows, it just felt lonely. The memory that he used to be that devil's beloved fire. "Am...Muzan-sama's..." somehow he it felt like a wasted relationship.

"Tanjiro?"

Snapping back to his senses.

"Y-yes Zenitsu?"

Zenitsu stares at him knowingly.

"You were spacing off..."

Tanjiro smiles to try and hide how he is feeling painful and sad at his own past life.

"Sorry."

Zenitsu smiles back.

"Well let's get to the train shall well?"

And they hop inside.

It is the last mission he can be with him.

...

It happen in a blink of an eye. An upper demon appeared and stab through Rengoku Kyoujiro's body. A donut hole.

Tanjiro is in a mess.

"No! Your wound...isnt there a way to stop it bleeding?!" He is crying already and panicking. Kamado Tanjiro is desperate for conclusion of how to save his beloved person.

On the other hand, Kyoujiro smiles calmly and wanted to comfort him till the end.

His precious boy.

Kyoujiro's POV

"Its useless...come sit, I want to have a last chat with you."

The moment I was attacked, memories of my childhood flashes before my eyes.

My mother,my loving father my cry baby little brother. Then, after those images, a past life memory revealed its secret to me.

That am indeed Priest of flame, Rengoku Toujiro.

How we have always been like brothers,how that brother loved converted into romantic feelings.

How it was not given back and I forced it.

The sin that I have committed, it all makes sense now. So I wanted to tell Tanjiro, no, I wanted to apologize to Sumiko.

Sumiko's reincarnation like I was Toujiro's reincarnation. I guess Giyuu is reincarnation by Guren.

I breath slowly and started to tell him while he was crying. "...I remember everything now, on our past lives I have assaulted you to my bidding to gain your affection. To lust on your body...am very sorry Tanjiro."

However he screamed at me and he was angry.

"Who cares about the past life thing?!"

How broken he burst to tears more and more.

"Look! You.. there is a hole in your chest..at this rate you will...!" His voice cracked into small sobbing. I sighs and smiled a bit to calm him down. "I will die I know. Still I want to apologize for hurting you...Sumiko..." I gave him apologetic look.

Kamado my boy is thrashing his fist to the ground till he crumple his own pants to restrain his rage.

"Sumiko, Sumiko...every single one of you call me a dead name, am Kamado Tanjiro!"

Tanjiro boy is pissed off. "...And I do not give a damn whatever happen back then! I just want to live in the present where my love ones exist...please do not leave me Kyoujiro-san!"

Taken back a bit,I chuckled a little.

"Ahh~ this is why I fall for you, such undying fire of kindness...so do me a favor. Set your heart ablaze." Giving him my proper farewell.

The last thing I hear is a piercing cry but I was at peace.

'If I will reincarnate again...I wish to be your bestfriend and not as a lover or brother. I do not want to see you in pain ever again.'

I Rengoku Kyoujiro resigned.

Anyone's POV

Tugging the haori.

"No...No! Kyoujiro-san! KYOUJIRO-SAN!" Kyoujiro sat quietly and blood spreading beneath him with a smile on his closed eyes.

The lips were dry.

Tanjiro just knew he was gone.

"Kuhh..." overflowing anger to the demon who killed his beloved flame is no other than a work of the underlings of that certain demon.

"Kibutsuji Muzan, only you...definitely only you the demon that I wont ever forgive! You took my life back then, my family and my...Kyoujiro-san, Nezuko's normal life...I swear I will kill you!"

Tanjiro yelled and cursed endlessly.

Zenitsu behind with the Nezuko box is afraid to approach him yet he felt his pain.

"Tanjiro.."

His sharp ears stings due to Tanjiro's crying out lungs.

"Uwaaaaaahh!"

Inosuke crying in his masks too.

"Monjiro..."

After this incident, Tanjiro amd the rest were confined again in the butterfly estate.

...

3 weeks passed

"Is it true that he and Kyoujiro was in relationship?" Iguro asks Mitsuri whose spying on a sad Tanjiro sipping a tea.

"Iguro-san...yes it is." They are currently in the Ubuyashiki quarters for meeting.

Tanjiro, Zenitsu and Inosuke were allowed to join the pillar for a meeting with Kagaya. Probably same reason that is because Tanjiro is Sumiko after all.

Shock, Iguro tried to composed himself.

"What...? To think Kyoujiro swing that way.." Mitsuri sighed and eyed worriedly to the sad demon slayer.

"Iguro-san, love is sometimes unconditionally blind. It happen as well that they were connected in their past lives..."

On the other room.

"Damn! When will Monjiro stop sulking?!" Inosuke about to leave the room, Zenitsu grabs his legs quickly. "Inosuke...! Wait up, don't disturb Tanjiro he isn't good condition-" then the door slides open.

"Hello."

Greet by a smile, Zenitsu and Inosuke were dumb founded.

"Waa! T-Tanjiro!?"

Tanjiro cheers them up.

"Yep!"

Knowing he must keep his heart burn to kill that person he loath the most.

Until...

KABOOM!

"What!? Explosion?!"

Ubuyashiki Kagaya blown himself up. All the pillars cornered the enemy, the boss himself.

But one snap of fingers everyone fell to his trap, the Infinity fortress.

Muzan smiles in mockery when the boy he sought revenge onto due to childish jealously appears before his sight.

"I have come to pick you up~"

Angry veins appear to his body, Tanjiro wielded his black blade.

"MUZAN!"

Little bit Tanjiro know, their love making in Red Light district gain fruit.

The future star that the sun and moon can barely agreed on.

Chapter Text

'All I wanted is to be free from him, to forget whatever we had shared in the past. However life is unfair...it will not always be the one you wished for. But the fate, shall decided...what ending lies ahead. For the two of us...'

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"MMmh...!"

In abrupt of body ache, Tanjiro's eyes gasp and found himself tied at bed with chains.

Cling, Clang.

A bamboo gag that is similar to Nezuko's is clenching between his teeth.

"Mmhhnn...?!"

The whole room is dim light, not knowing it is not the infinity fortress but just some random Muzan mansion.

Though he had bandages wrapped in his head. Hinting he was treated first aid in order not to die from a head injury.

Nothing makes sense as of the moment, Tanjiro though is able to un bound his mouth by struggling his tongue behind till the bamboo passed his jawline to be under his chin.

He breaths out loud.

"(GASP)"

Shock of defeat had surrounded him whole and found the man he hated the most looking down at him in the most awful way...how so close, that he may crawl on his skin open and anytime.

Tanjiro is no longer wearing his worn out demon slayer uniform, not even his trademark haori.

He is completely wearing different clothes.

More like an oversize red bath robe.

Did this man dress him up?!

The memory of hate resurface.

That...monster who took everything from him.

His dignity.

"Well, well, you are awake alas." He was greeted by Kibutsuji Muzan in his black kimono and it looks awfully familiar how he look like a prince he used to please. He is no position to deny how handsome the man has become in a closer look than their last encounter in Asakuza Tokyo.

Not that he knows he met Muzan in Red light district.

...How it was so indifferent from the ill version of him.

It is Muzan-sama.

Muzan's pale hands went to softly rub Tanjiro's sweetening cheeks giving out small chuckles from the boy's tensed up muscles. "Hehe~" hinting how entertained he is the little boy had freed his mouth from the gag with the slippery sensation it left from his saliva.

"You feel so hot aren't you~?" He meant his body temperature. "Ahh~ I remember this body heat very well."

"Grrr..."

From the said small scratches in cheeks, Muzan's cold hands travelled to his ears to feel his earrings.

The hanafuda earrings of Sumiko. "Eugh..!"

Tanjiro shivered from both anger and anxiety that he is indeed captured as what he suspected.

He lost.

Muzan knowingly smirks at his captive, it hit so hard the realization of this situation.

"Hehe, calm down." His red eyes glow in interest. "My former priest of fire. Tanjirou Sumiko~"

Tanjiro's eyes went dark when his real name is called after almost like yesterday...

His sire.

Muzan leaned closer.

"Welcome back to my cage~ Tanjiro."

An evil smile of death.

...

Before he was captured...

(Flashback)

KABOOM!

"What!? Explosion?!"

Ubuyashiki Kagaya blown himself up. All the pillars cornered the enemy, the boss himself.

But one snap of fingers everyone fell to his trap, the Infinity fortress.

Muzan smiles in mockery when the boy he sought revenge onto due to a very childish jealously appears before his sight.

"I have come to pick you up~" he teased.

Angry veins appear to the slayer's body, Tanjiro wielded his black blade towards him.

To kill him.

"MUZAN!"

...

Things seems to have escalated quickly not before long Tanjiro is already bleeding in his mouth and head.

"Haahh..hahh..." the puddle of blood dripping out from Tanjiro's body and mouth, all the wounds making him pitiful yet sexy in the sadistic eyes of the predator.

Specially his head has blood covering his right eye like crazy making him almost blind. 'It's getting hard to see.' That pathetic sight of the boy, Muzan in his albino form smirks. He is very delighted!

"Well~well such a nice built body in training Kamado Tanjiro~" it was a way to mock him for being beaten like shit.

Tanjiro ignored his taunts and glared. Muzan of course didn't like it. 'I know he isn't Sumiko but I want to taste him...again. I want to make him feel ashamed. Especially when we...done it in Red Light District. There is no way to forget that again.' Because Tanjiro is always...'He is mine.'

"Silence eh?" Muzan rolled his eyes, "You need some teaching!" And used his one arm to try and stab Tanjiro! But then...

SLASH!

Shock, the former priest of water...his reincarnation, Tomioka Giyuu appears and slashes the tentacles that is about to grab Tanjiro.

"Giyuu-san!" Tanjiro says, meanwhile Muzan says his name from the old story. "It cannot be...Tomioka Guren!"

Giyuu who understood the connection from the three of them, calmly poise himself to cover Tanjiro from his back. "Stay back, leave this to me Tanjiro."

Tanjiro felt like crying the moment Giyuu protected him. It was like back in Heian period, like the incident with Nezuko and the meeting with the pillars.

All over...always...

'Giyuu-san would always put me first!' How can he repay him? "Giyuu-san! I...!" About to tell him that he can still fight, Giyuu hushed him.

"It's fine. I always wanted to settle things with this devil that broke you from the past and ruined your present life with your family." Looking at the target. "I will have you pay with your head Kibutsuji Muzan."

Muzan is angry, visibly pissed. "NOBODY DARES TO SAY THEY CAN TAKE MY HEAD OFF!" Lashing out of anger, Giyuu is able to dodge.

However Tanjiro felt dizzy on the events, 'Ah oh...My head is bleeding a lot...!' It was a wound when Muzan tried to cut open his head.

Drop, drop.

'I must...stay...awake!' Biting his own lips to remain awake as he clutch his head for support.

Around this time going on, this is where Giyuu made a mistake. He noticed Tanjiro is left wide open when Muzan devilishly grins at him and whispered as they exchange blows. "Guren's reincarnation. You are still pathetic and lonely as ever. Kamado Tanjiro will be mine."

Calling out to warn the subject of revenge that the devil king wants to hurt the most.

"TANJIRO!"

Quickly a tentacle wrapped in Tanjiro's body and lift him up. "UARGH!" The squeezing pain is real. Muzan's evil laugh echoes.

"Hahahah, look how utterly like rag rat you are now!" The sluggish disgusting tentacles were moving to grip him tight, specifically his wounds are but then it also touching his private parts.

Very disturbing.

Tanjiro grit his teeth and is provoked already as he stays in air. "Don't touch me there! You and your murderer hands! I HATE YOU! I hate you, I hate you,I hate you...!"

Muzan's face were emotionless, he called his name to calm down. "Tanjiro." Only to be harshly rejected. "SHUT UP! AM NOT YOURS ANYMORE!"

It surprisingly stings!

"...!?"

Giyuu meanwhile went silent how Muzan gasp his small surprise that the reincarnation recalls..."You...remember?" Then again another silent treatment. "Kuhh..." It ticks him off.

"Answer me!"

Tanjiro took a deep breath and told him the truth.

"You...you killed me by burning me alive, devil." Tanjiro's face turn dark with resentment being so obvious. Muzan cant help but order him around by his former name thinking he can still control his fire priest. He is indeed affected somehow...

"Sumiko!"

"STOP CALLING ME THAT!"

As of now, Giyuu here...silent and trying to regain strength to rest a bit in his footing. Clearly debating if he should interfere this somewhat lovers quarrel or let it be for closure, if needed. He is unable to move at the moment, he just thought maybe the two should have time to exchange words.

Maybe its not necessary but...

Slowly, Muzan's albino appearance is starting to revert back to his original form as he sounds so calm after raising his voice earlier. "Hm, Fine. Want to play that way? Then shall I show you~?" his eyes narrowed and rephrase his threat. "No, I will show you that you are nothing but a pathetic demon slayer if you do not wish to accept as Sumiko's reincarnation!" Self entitled as usual. "The person that belongs to me...his body and his soul are all mine." His voice darkened. "Which is why I have rights to keep it and destroy it. My property...!"

Tanjiro despise him a lot that he cursed him again.

"I HATE YOU! GO TO HELL!"

That moment Giyuu attacks to slice off the tentacle that binds Tanjiro. "Hahh!"

SLICE, SLICE!

Muzan still in albino form but not monstrous enough unlike earlier, stared at the two of them teaming up.

"You do not have a choice but to make love with me again Tanjiro-kun. I shall clean away his scent from you...the flame." Evil smile, "Akaza did a good job."

Anger.

It just hinted Muzan killed Kyoujiro in purpose.

"MUZAN! YOU SHALL PAY!"

SWOOSH!

Then Muzan slices the floor, in between Giyuu and Tanjiro.

"W-WHAT!?"

"TANJIRO! GRAB MY HAND!"

"GIYUU-SAN!"

It was too late, Giyuu's flooring fell even Tanjiro's but Tanjiro is caught by Muzan's tentacle.

"NO!"

"Sleep."

CHOP!

His neck were hit and he loose consciousness.

(Flashback Ends)

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The sickening thought of having intercourse with him again is just...

Tanjiro huffs and glared above him.

Sounds like bull...isn't?

"Love? If you loved me then why did you killed me..!? You executed me shamefully!" He was bitter about it.

Instead Muzan stated facts without even having a little bit of empathy or guilt. "You talk as if you don't know the reason of your execution? You do remember our relationship, how you...cheated." suddenly Muzan's eyes narrowed rather deadly and Tanjiro felt uncomfortable. "You admit it by asking to be executed did you not? I only made your wish true."

Tanjiro had enough hearing it.

"What cheating are you even talking about?! You are always like this! Your anger does not make any sense! You aren't a baby anymore! You are so damn old! 900 years or 1000 years whatever you call it! You never stop acting like a baby! I'm sick of you!"

He was ranting.

Muzan is just the same as him who couldn't admit defeat.

In frustration, Muzan pulled the chains that binds Tanjiro. He tug it hard and it hurt the boy.

"Ow!"

"Why are you defying me Sumiko!? Even though he is dead! You are still...!"

Angry veins at his face, Tanjiro bare the pain as he smack Muzan with such rejection.

"Ghh...that is not my name anymore."

Both went silent for a bit.

"I no longer belong to you. Muzan!"

Tanjiro spits at him.

Muzan licks the spit that landed on his left cheek.

Unreadable.

However in reality Muzan's seven heartbeat runs wild and crazy, his property...the reincarnation of his lover that he have murdered is stubborn and a liar.

"You...you really don't want to admit your sin."

It's just like the last time before they have depart in that cage of execution.

Tanjiro exhaust his remaining anger to vent out against the selfish big brat Muzan. "Hahh?! What sin? Aren't you the one who did something bad at me!?" Tanjiro started to boast Muzan's lifetime payment. "After...After I saved your life...you, you suddenly!" Somehow his throat went dry at the end.

He is hurt on that truth.

'..Dump me.'

Pretending fierce.

"...You don't know how to pay people properly! So you will pay, you have to pay! Pay me by dying now! Asshole! Demon!"

He heard enough, his Sumiko is too angry.

This Kamado Tanjiro is hard to handle.

Muzan is just horrible, he pulled Tanjiro's red collar to have a direct eye to eye contact of whose hatred is upper.

"WHY CANT YOU JUST ADMIT YOU CHEATED WITH RENGOKU TOUJIRO!?"

That is the moment Tanjiro anger vanishes into a huge confusion.

"H-huh?"

Muzan's bangs covered his demonic eyes, unable to see his sad expression within them as he speak so cold as usual.

"I waited...at the shrine, just to find out you and him were making out." Then he roughly scratch Tanjiro's red kimono. "It even happen in this present."

Tanjiro gulps down, he had a bad feeling.

"Unforgivable!"

And Muzan clawed his chest with cold blood.

SCRATCHES!

"O-ow!"

Getting his left chest gain huge claw marks, the blood oozes out.

His flesh hurts.

Kibutsuji Muzan the king of terrible things squeezes Tanjiro's wound in the chest that he applied himself.

It was nasty.

"Which is why, whether you like it or not. I will owe you Tanjiro. This is your punishment for being reincarnated again and again..." lowering his voice, "Sumiko."

Tanjiro's eyes gawk when Muzan started to lick his open wounds and sips the blood.

"N-no! Stop!"

Muzan is just being a baby and a spoiled brat prince who wants revenge because he couldn't make him obey.

"Until you won't come back ever to curse me!"

It hurts like hell.

"Ah..!"

Before he knew, he is completely powerless of the situation.

'He...he is devouring me.'

The man he hated is feasting his chest. He was not eating him to be exact.

'I'm...? What is this? Am scared...?'

He couldn't fight and felt frighten.

"(Slurpp, slurpp.)"

But it is just torture don't you think? To have your chest grope while the other half is bleeding from a fresh claw wound?

"Nnnh..! Wait!"

Tanjiro's feet begun stretching to the bed sheets as he couldn't escape the chains that binds him to bed.

His ankles and wrist were all chained in a position that he can be purely exposed to harassment.

"Ahh...ahh!" It was not even a moan. It was a whimper and the urging pain from the tongue that feast his scar.

"S-stop...It hurts! Muzan! Just stop it!"

Muzan's hands that were still groping his chest to make more blood comes out, suddenly the other hand went away and starts to pull his underneath.

Adding more pain.

"Argh! No!"

Even though there is nothing to apologize, Tanjiro's body acted on it's own and his lips began pleading.

"F-forgive me already..!" Yet of course Muzan did not forgive him. He went more violent to dug his nails to other parts of his body as it moves.

"Augh!" Tanjiro bit his lips in process and then he just said this. "T-that night...actually...actually...!"

It clicked to him this strange feeling.

'Huh? What happen again that night?' He couldn't registered what made him suddenly submissive just because of this petty torture. 'I cant remember why I didn't show up at the promised shrine.'

Badump, badump.

His chest felt heavy.

'I was...rape by...'

"Urgh!"

His head flinch from headache.

Muzan noticed the change of his behavior. Muzan thought for a second, 'His wound in head must be the source of headache since he is trying so hard to struggle from what am doing.'

Muzan had stopped sucking the flesh of his chest and went down where his mankind is.

He can tell what the demon planning to do.

"No!"

He kicks his leg in attempt to avoid the forbidden work out. Muzan caught his legs and devilishly grinned at him. "It's no use Tanjiro. You will obey me as how you used to do so."

Tanjiro had run out of words when the reality smacked him how he is just a weak human that can easily be killed by a demon.

"Don't do this please-"

It is futile. Muzan is strong and he is weak.

Damn weak.

"Say it, say that you belong to me." Muzan just wanted to hear the assurance phrase from Tanjiro that he is still his slave, looks like he is still living in the past that Sumiko is his.

Only his and nobody else.

Tanjiro remember it too, 'I used to be his...everything about me is his...' gasping for breath, the lingering bloody pleasure.

"H-how many...times!" Heaves, "I have to tell you am not yours anymore! Because I hate you!"

Muzan's face twisted, Tanjiro saw how the other felt hurt.

'But that is nothing compare to what I have went through!'

Which is why Tanjiro finally said it.

"I already gave you my everything in the past! My life! My soul! My body! Isn't that enough?!" Tears forming in his eyes. "Why can't I be happy without you...?"

Muzan's head screamed in denial.

'LIES!'

Muzan pulled his jaw and squeeze them.

"You will be happy with me whether you wish for it or not, nothing in this world cannot be mine!"

Not even the blue spider lily!

Muzan still believes it will eventually show itself again...

Tanjiro remember his fury and yelled at him, shocking the other.

"WHY CANT YOU UNDERSTAND THAT I DONT LOVE YOU ANYMORE?! IS THAT SO HARD TO COMPREHEND? WHY WOULD I STILL LOVE A DEMON LIKE YOU AFTER ALL YOU DID!?" Muzan locked his shoulders to be pin down as Tanjiro thrashing in the bed because he was furious.

Muzan is also in rage.

"BECAUSE YOU ARE SUMIKO! YOU BELONG TO ME, REMEMBER!?"

They were screaming at each other and the other demons that Muzan still has left alive can hear.

Specifically Douma and Kokushibo.

When Tanjiro landed the forbidden word Muzan refuses to accept.

"SUMIKO IS DEAD!"

"...!"

It shut his mouth for a moment.

"And so is the fire of love that he has for you...died that day you abandon your humanity for your non existence jealousy."

Muzan mumble to himself.

"...that's a lie."

Tanjiro calmly explain with mix of sorrow.

"Its not a lie. I still don't understand why are you even jealous back then." Tanjiro's head still hurts but he manage to say it. "This is pointless." His...his real feelings and thoughts regardless of the reincarnation thing.

Muzan began to grit his teeth, showing his fangs.

"Be silent."

Tanjiro keep going though, "Whatever we had on past has nothing to do with me. Am Kamado Tanjiro, a victim in Kumotori mountains. To avenge my slaughtered family and demon sister against you! Am a demon slayer!"

Muzan snaps one more time.

"YOU HAVE NO RIGHTS TO BE HAPPY WITHOUT ME! I'LL MAKE SURE OF IT!" Muzan forced him a kiss.

"Hmmff...!"

As for Tanjiro, he gave up.

'Ahh..never mind, am very tired.'

The dark moon had made the sun hide behind the mountains.

It cried out, not even sure if it was pleasure or water falls.

"Nnnhh..!"

Before Tanjiro can even make out what the hell just happen...

He remember their first time with sweet, gentle and warmth.

'It's not the same.'

He recalled Muzan is thinner, frail but now he is huge in there and rough.

He was harsh.

'It's not the love I had known.'

This isn't make out of love. Its just violence against his own will.

'He is big...and it's scary and hurts a lot.'

He was not happy.

'I can't believe I would do this with him after all those decades.'

It doesn't sit right.

'My Muzan-sama is...just a monster.'

Till the dawn ended.

He was sobbing at the bed with his messy red bathrobe, the sickening pain not only in his chest, head injury but even his behind were painted in white and red moon.

Tanjiro uses his hands to cover his mouth.

They tremble.

'I has been raped...I'm sorry Rengoku-san when I thought my body is only for you...'

Sniffing and feeling disgusted, it felt like he was in prison.

Like back then.

When Tanjiro tried to sink in the bedsheets, the bamboo gag hit him.

"Hhhuh...?"

'Wait a minute.'

Taking a better look at the bamboo gag.

"Nezuko...?"

Speaking of which, where the hell is Nezuko?

Having a bad idea what it could it be, Tanjiro sniffs the bamboo gag and...

'It's Nezuko's scent...!'

Meaning the gag was Nezuko's bamboo itself.

He sat up, still in chains though. "NEZUKO!" Scanning the room by his head left and right the more it strictness his heart beat.

"Nezuko?"

Badump, badump.

"Nezuko!"

Badump,badump.

"Nezuko if you are also capture, make a noise! Are you with me?!"

Oh no.

'Could it be...!?'

Tanjiro feared that maybe it is too late.

'What if ...what if?!'

Suddenly.

"Oh, you recovered quickly than expected after 24hrs with you."

It was Muzan naked.

Tanjiro's eyes furrowed but then he pleaded.

"Nezuko!? Where is my sister? Please! You...you didn't hurt her right?!" Tanjiro prayed from the bottom of his heart that maybe Muzan is not that heartless.

Because if he is...then it's technically too late to even imagine the bad ending you may guessed.

Muzan is smiling.

'No,no,no...'

"Ahh, about that~ About Kamado Nezuko..."

'No, no,no...!'

Muzan said it.

"Nezuko is dead."

Tanjiro fainted.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Kring...)))

"You are tired aren't you...?" Sumiko asks him, as Tanjiro at the floor all hope is lost. "It's fine, am tired too. I rather have none of these human emotions anymore. I just want to return to my emotionless self without these blessed earrings..."

The other responded differently though, "Nezuko...is dead. The last memory of my family is dead and it is my fault. If only...if only I return early. They won't be killed by him. He would have just taken me instead...!"

Sumiko smiles and crouches down to comfort him by pulling his chin up.

The sorrow in Tanjiro's eyes versus Sumiko's plain eyes that cannot be traced if angry or happy.

"It's fine Tanjiro. If you cannot handle this anymore...I will take over."

Sumiko embraces him while they stayed at the floor where pool of tears existed and the bright sky of his soul suddenly having dark clouds taking over the peaceful scenery.

"Eh?"

Tears fell so much, the spirit knows it all well.

The ghost of vengeance whispered.

"I Tanjirou Sumiko shall bare all your pain. Sleep within your memories...you pitiful reincarnation of fire priest."

Sumiko takes over Tanjiro completely.

...

The moment Tanjiro opened his eyes, his mind has been reset to who he really was.

'Am Tanjirou Sumiko...and this man is...?'

Tanjiro lost his memory as 'being Tanjiro' but his memory as 'being Sumiko' it does not include the parts of him serving Muzan yet.

He is the Tanjirou Sumiko who is yet to become an actual priest.

That is where his memory starts.

Meaning he had no reason to resent Muzan since his memory is the part of Sumiko who has not even met Muzan.

He was the Sumiko who did not have the Hanafuda earrings.

No human emotions.

The strange version of him.

The doll version of Sumiko.

Remember the past they talk about his earrings? Muzan is about to confirm that Tanjirou Sumiko is indeed an empty shell before he was blessed by the fire god's company.

He is an object.

It had been another day that finally he gain consciousness except he was...

"Tanjiro...?" Tanjiro stares into nothing while sitting at their bed.

'What is this...?'

For some reason Muzan remember it. Sumiko once told him...

(("For some reason, they say...I-I mean I cannot remember okay? I was around 5 years old...I learned to smile like a baby should be doing at that kind of age and so fort. I was strange!"))

Muzan replied in disbelief.

(("So...those earrings are magical gift is that it?"))

(("Yes! It is blessing by the god of sun!"))

(("What will happen if I remove it?")) His pale right hand went to invade Sumiko's cheeks, he cup them out of nowhere making the young one blush.

(("Eh? Muzan-sama-" but..."Ah!"))

Hissing from sudden pain he felt in his right ear.

(("Did that made you loose a part of you?"))

-memory chapter 2

This makes sense then?

Muzan pulls him to a hug. Tanjiro's face burried in Muzan's chest as he proclaim victory.

"Who cares if you broke? At least you are finally all mine~"

A sickening way to think of this despair of Tanjiro in a positive way.

"Finally you just belong only to me." Chuckling, "You cannot live without me taking care of you...My Sumiko~" patting his hair locks. "I will take care of you much more than you did to me~"

(("You always talk about demons, you are no longer a slayer right? Hurry up and get over with what is past and past. Stop brooding."))

Is what Lady Muzan said to Tanjiro in red light district and yet his actions right now contradicts those...

Frankly, he wanted to tie him forever with him in the red light district if only the annoying pillars did not found the place.

That is why, he wants to be honest this time.

To keep and lock Kamado Tanjiro to his possession... forever, until his grudge fades again into love.

He wanted Tanjirou Sumiko's love once more.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Muzan's POV

'Actually, I was just messing with him.'

So I invented a story which is very easy. I who lived for many years with many fake background check to fit in to others.

"Nezuko is dead. Your little sister turned to ashes when the sun arises to try and save you."

Sumiko's reincarnation...his injured right eye spilled a teardrop but not his left eye in shock.

'It is just out of curiosity to see how will he react if I trolled him.'

"Eh?"

The boy went pale and eyes were widening as his body shakes from what he just heard.

'What I didn't know...'

"Are you...telling me a lie...?" Tanjiro's face went from pale into a dark dread. For some reason it was...leaving bad taste yet same time fascinating.

"Nezuko is...Nezuko is dead...?" The reason of his existence not to go insane just disappeared without a trace.

Yeah, who would think...?

'He would broke.'

Tanjiro couldn't smell his lie.

That is the last Kamado Tanjiro had function like a human being he is.

His memory have reset as Sumiko apparently. The Sumiko who was known to be strange and out casted, he started acting human like when his parents gave him the earrings that I loathe.

He does not remember our love story nor our tragic end of relationship. We can do a fresh start.

How so? He started calling me Muzan-sama.

If there is at least a difference, he wasn't all bubbly unlike how Sumiko was.

Tanjiro is just...obedient and innocent.

Sumiko isn't.

He is just like his mute little demon sister Nezuko, except he does not need a bamboo gag to make him silent.

However, for whatever miracle...Tanjiro just acted like a proper doll I can abuse.

He must be in a mental shock and deep depression from all of these unfortunate event.

Oh hey, am not at fault.

This is given karma for him betraying me and ignoring me.

Yes, the story continues.

The humble priest and servant of prince Kibutsuji.

Am fully hungry of his body and attention.

Day by day I crave more and more it was unstoppable...

I'm starting to act strange as well...

...

Nobody's POV

The snow falls one by one.

Kamado Tanjiro in a white kimono with bare foot, while breathing the cold air outside.

As if he had no soul, though his eyes were still humane but...he was empty.

Speaking of which, he gain an eye patch in his right eye. Not because he is blind or anything.

For some reason they turn sore and they get irritating, so they decided to cover it for comfort.

"(BREATHS)"

It was freezing yes, but he did not feel it.

("BREATHS")

Even though there is nothing to be seen but white landscape. Tanjiro stared to the vast space of melancholy winter as if there is a Hii No Kami Kagura dance going on.

It was nostalgic and same twice kind of Deja vu.

Its either the Heian memory or was it the Kumotori memory.

Nobody can tell what is residing in Tanjiro's mind right now.

More like...

("BREATHS")

His mind is just blank like this snow.

"Tanjiro-kun."

Suddenly a black haori hovers his shoulders to shield him from cold.

"Why are you outside? You will catch a cold."

It was Kibutsuji Muzan in his white fedora version with black coat hovers as well in his shoulders and no hat.

"...?"

Tanjiro looks up at him like a wondering pup.

"Come inside." Like an innocent child, he just follow the man's orders and went inside to be warm.

Which is actually more than that.

"Tanjiro-kun,you are a good boy." Muzan laid him in bed. "..." in this warm futon. "Hehh~"

Then he send butterfly kisses to his neck. "Mmm..." It was a normal order, time to time he would be used for such pleasant moments of 'lust'

As if he was a wakashu.

Wakashu are used as self reliver for men.

Wakashu are usually young boys, therefore this relationship cant be more illegal is it?

Here Tanjiro is not thinking of anything, he just breath in and out. Have his head rest on the pillow and have Muzan's way.

Tanjiro jolted when Muzan had proceeds to lick his earlobes though.

"...!"

Tanjiro whose acting mute finally made a sound.

"Ah-"

It was a question kind of moaning. "Hahh...?" His head feeling so fuzzy as this man is pleasuring him by keep on kissing here and there.

The master is nibbling his ears the most.

Biting them too.

It's a fiery feeling but...nothing makes sense.

"Mu...zan...sama...?" The boy murmurs.

As for his owner, Muzan he is no doctor but he knows why Tanjiro had a memory lost.

His head injury then the shocking news he got about Nezuko being dead shot him to despair. Tanjiro apparently lost his reason to live and became his lifeless servant.

"Hahh...?"

The boy keep making confuse sounds.

Little did he know it was a prank.

Yeah, the bamboo gag sure is Nezuko's belongings.

But you know, there is no point killing Nezuko if she conquered the sun.

Muzan basically lied.

Yes, Nezuko is alive and well...it is just she no longer needs the bamboo for she can speak and can walk to the sun as mention.

That kind of ability, what Muzan is never able to do.

Muzan did plan to eat her but...Muzan for some reason he couldn't make himself eat her.

Her smell makes him puke.

Its not that Nezuko had a bad odor, it is something else.

Like for example a pregnant person hates this and that for no particular reason.

Unexplainable disgust.

So he let her go with the blonde noisy head who killed Kaigaku. Named Zenitsu or whatever.

Those humans doesn't matter.

What and who matters is ...

"...ahh...ahh...?" The boy he was wrecking in the futon.

The pure sunshine he loved until now, only if not so twisted and sadistic.

Selfish Muzan.

"Tanjiro...you are my property okay?" He whispered at his ears.

"Nn. .mm...Hahh,hahh...?"

Tanjiro just shivered in response.

It continued the heat they were creating against the climate.

It is winter, so its natural to hibernate.

Tanjiro whose just allowing whatever the man doing, for some reason his head look at his right where the sliding door is slight open.

For some reason...

He saw an image of a bloody demon girl protecting him.

'What...is that...?'

His mind echoed.

Noticing small tears forming in Tanjiro's eyes, Muzan wipes them and comforted him. "Don't look back." Pulling his chin softly away to look at him straight in the eye. "Tanjiro," However its more like an order rather than comfort. "Okay?"

Tanjiro is about to answer by opening his mouth.

"Mu-" only for Muzan to shut his lips by a deep kissing. "Mmmh..."

Tanjiro's fingers twitches and so his toes. He tried his best not to moan so much.

He did not want to turn off Muzan by sounding so sensitive. Not that the other care about his appearance and attitude.

Especially his voice and...dirty side.

Muzan stops kissing and smiles with evilness. He press a thumb to the right eye patch, making Tanjiro squint his both eyes to accept small pain...because Muzan is very delighted to see him in pain, I guess fetish. But then again, it has different purpose..."Everyone is dead. Nobody awaits you home, this is your home now." A sweet smile as the boy below is just visibly in question mark face.

"Your home is with me silly~"

He was peck on his left cheek, Tanjiro blushes.

"You are my lover."

Tanjiro's mind repeated the brainwashing calling.

'Lo...ver..?'

It is not a false information but, that is the past not the present.

"You will not leave me ever be." Muzan meant of his fear to be left alone by Tanjiro.

Tanjiro nods.

"...Ok."

Tanjiro tried to listen to the devil temptation that it will be indeed easier to forget.

'Right...I just sleep and rest.'

Tanjiro closes his eyes and feel more of the hot exchange breaths in between.

'Am this... person's servant...property, his doll.'

"I love you Tanjiro."

It was not the words of love, it was possession.

'Am loved. He said...he loves me, am his beloved... I'm a priest of fire to shake away his heat in hell.'

The winter went long.

..Muzan actually poisoned Tanjiro's mind.

"Remember this Tanjiro, you are not allowed to go outside where the sun shines. You will burn."

Says Muzan while combing the boy's hair after a hot bath together.

As if this time Tanjiro is ill and it is the way of Muzan's switching positions to take care of the sick person.

You know how Sumiko took care of his majesty back then.

It's now opposite.

Because Tanjiro is mentally broken, his soul shattered and Muzan is becoming his smoltified pillar to be humane.

However, Muzan made him think he was a special demon. Like some upper moon zero...

The mute like Tanjiro just accepted it, as if it was true even though it isn't.

A nod, Tanjiro followed Muzan's command to never get out where the sun is.

This is also a way to keep Tanjiro locked away and avoid any demon slayers to see and tries to rescue him.

Specially that water pillar, Guren's reincarnation.

"Good boy." Muzan smiles and his thumb playfully massages Tanjiro's lips who just watches him doing whatever he wanted to do to his body. "I love you." He said once again.

Tanjiro in the other hand just stared at him and says nothing.

He was just a obedient toy that is.

Nothing more and nothing less...but Muzan does not care as long as he can be with his Sumiko's vessel to play in a 'play house.'

After all they did promise to live together. Muzan as always selfish and thinks things will be followed as the way he wanted.

Now is the chance to do so...

...

It was morning, maybe you are wondering where are they?

They currently hiding one of Muzan's previous house property that he got from an old man who sold him this household.

Its a traditional Japanese house outside but inside have secret rooms of modernity.

It is still winter, which is why Muzan and Tanjiro can stroll outside together as long as the sun never surfaces.

Muzan is actually enjoying this despite how Tanjiro does not really response much.

'It's like back then.'

The memory of the chatterbox Sumiko and Muzan's old self who refrain from talking too much due to weak body that easily get exhausted by socializing.

This is how they look like now but vice versa.

'Just him and I, alone time.'

Muzan is visibly good mood because he is happy.

GROWLS~

"Tanjiro-kun." He called the mute Tanjiro whose stomach have growled and he did not even felt he was hungry. "...?" Tanjiro just looks up whenever his name is called by the taller man.

"Let's have you eat."

Tanjiro did not say anything and just allow Muzan take him back inside.

Now inside, Muzan cooked a food.

Isn't surprising?

Tanjiro sniffs the air, the sweet and delicious aroma spreads in the house. He had short thoughts, 'It smells nice, this man and that thing he is making...' Tanjiro watches Muzan cook, the man seems to be entertaining enough.

"I'm almost done." Muzan said.

The reason behind Muzan talent to cook is because he had spend thousands of years already. He have explored everything he can learn just to fit in the society, to avoid any suspicion that he isnt particularly a human being.

He cannot eat human food but to hide that fact he should look like someone who likes food and who cooks to feed himself.

It was all for the sake of acting.

"Here~" he placed the tray at Tanjiro's bed. Tanjiro is always at his bed if not strolling with Muzan. Muzan treated Tanjiro like a sick person since he had been acting like a toddler ever since the thread in his sanity has been cut off. Tanjiro did made a voice in his throat and visibly his nose is moving. Muzan chuckles, "Don't just smell it. Eat it." Grabbing the spoon, "Here~" proceed to spoon feed Tanjiro but gently pulling down his jaw to open and accept the food.

"M-mmhh?" Tanjiro accepted the food but without actually biting it to piece for him to gulp down. "Chew." Muzan says so, so he chews the food slowly.

Toddler like Tanjiro begins to chew and chew, 'It is tasty.' The way he chew that it hints it taste good making Muzan stare at curiosity.

Muzan wonder how his cooking tasted like to be honest.

"Tanjiro...pardon me..." he said and leans forward to capture Tanjiro's lips that still has food. Tanjiro went stiff. "Mmhh..pp?!" Muzan's tongue rolled inside to get a piece of food out of Tanjiro.

As Tanjiro went red due to the interruption of him gulping the food, Muzan have taken his part and gulp down the human food.

Growls~

Muzan pulls away and stared to Tanjiro's innocent eyes that is actually wondering why the hell he did that.

That is where Tanjiro's mind works again.

He saw Muzan's eyes.

'Ahh...this man he looks sad?' But he did not verbalize those thoughts. 'But why...?'

As for Muzan he vocalize his thoughts. "As I thought it taste horrible." His mean comment made Tanjiro startled.

"M-Muzan-sama?" He thought Muzan was referring to him to taste bad. Muzan notice this and giggles. "It's not you my dear." And pats his hair. "Just eat okay?"

Muzan went out of their room, Tanjiro is left puzzled.

"...food."

Tanjiro is made believe that he is eating a meal for demons but not humans. Muzan lied that he cook them in a special way due to Tanjiro's sensitive palette as a upper moon zero.

It is for all to make Tanjiro stay forever.

Why won't he convert him to a demon though?

It is because somewhere deep within Muzan he still wanted to be human but it couldn't happen without the blue spider lily.

But also you know, that is not the only case.

'Lately...'

Catching a glimpse of Tanjiro in the library studying some English books.

This is Muzan's mansion, it has that aristocrat artifacts and a small library. Secretly spying on busy Tanjiro...To be honest Muzan likes books, he can travel the world by imagining things in the books. The places he cannot see in daylight.

What is Muzan's up to?

Well, he simply miss his relationship to his Sumiko in desperation...that is.

Meanwhile It is quite a little bit big for the two of them this household. Muzan dislikes smalls spaces, after all he needed to have emergency exits if he is found out by some demon slayers. But he do like tight things with Tanjiro.

Muzan did not even pardon Tanjiro for that. He took advantage of his trauma. Studies show that in severe cases, grief can cause to forget many significant memories of their life—and focus solely on those that involve the loved one lost.

In particular he is silent. Though he still does not smile at him but at least he listen to what he says every now and then.

No matter how odd his orders were.

Sometimes kinky and unreasonable.

Pure over control is what he is doing.

Tanjiro is a puppet of his desires.

It has been 2 weeks since Tanjiro gain this post traumatic amnesia thing, he was a good boy. His food were serve differently with the demons. They convince him what he is eating is a human body part but it was not.

Muzan made sure that Tanjiro will think of himself as a special demon that has no red eyes.

Whenever Tanjiro happen to pass by a mirror, the mute boy will look confuse and curious why his eyes does not have any trace of a demon.

Which is why, Muzan made another lie. He told Tanjiro about his right eye patch, he said this.

(("Tanjiro, that eye patch seals your demonic features so never remove it okay? Do not even try to peek underneath it."))

Tanjiro accepted that and indeed never bothered to see his own right eye if it has demonic eyes or what.

The idea of hunger always makes Muzan 'not so like me' to waste time on someone else.

But this person is not just someone, It is Sumiko's reincarnation. More reason to make attention for.

'No, it was after the red light district.'

Coming closer to the busy boy whose still has an eye patch and bandage in his head, wearing a oversize black kimono for men with it's Japanese traditional patterns. Tanjiro's inside is just a very plain white bath robe. It was very alluring to him.

'I started to crave deeply for Tanjiro's...life form.'

Life form of Tanjiro? It is his white serum of life. Drinking it is making Muzan feel stronger and it is strange enough to even use that as an excuse for abusing his ex lover like a doll he is now.

In other hand this almost emotionless Tanjiro's speech had been affected.

Tanjiro is having hard time to convey his feelings and thoughts by speaking.

That is why he is usually sealed lips.

Tanjiro can say limited words as if a bamboo gag is stuck in his mouth but ain't.

This trait is also part of the mental breakdown Tanjiro got from loosing everything he love at this point.

'Also am getting moody most of the time than the normal bored-ness I always felt.'

Tanjiro squeaks when a hand snaked from behind and whispered at his left ear. "What are you reading~?" Blushing when it is confirm its his master disturbing him in an attempt to read English text.

"M-Muzan-sama...?!"

It reminds of Muzan their poems sessions to be honest. "Hehe~" Muzan's right hand went all the way down to his thighs and eventually sniffs his hair.

'And am very hungry nowadays...'

"U-um..." Tanjiro couldn't free himself, the chair he is sitting onto is round and has no wall in the back.

He can feel so much from his backbone, the the taller man is in heat.

"Tanjiro-kun...You smell so nice." He clutch in his bottom hood. Tanjiro yelps in pleasure, "...!" He closes his thighs together in an attempt to block the large hands making him uncomfortable in his fabric.

It was then he noticed something else is bumping behind his shoulders.

Tanjiro couldn't help but question it.

"M-Mu, Muzan-sama?" Tanjiro tried to speak a little bit better than his short words. It is a surprise that his brainwashed Tanjiro would interrupt his hunger for him. It wasn't that bad so he entertained him.

"What is it?"

Tanjiro points at him

"Um, stomach, you, look...uhh...strange?" It was like talking to a baby.

Yet...

Muzan raised an eyebrow "What is this?" And touch his said stomach.

There is a bump...?

'Something inside me is moving?'

Muzan is skeptical of it while Tanjiro looks at him with a not innocent face ever.

"Hmm...It couldn't be." When Muzan pulled away, Tanjiro is confuse and even offer himself. "Wait a minute Muzan-sama...did I dissatisfy your needs? Is something wrong?" There is a puppy face.

Muzan tried to hold back himself not to glom the reincarnation of Sumiko. Muzan needed advice from someone...

And the only person he can rely to is...

"I remember I got business to do. Behave yourself while am away Tanjiro."

Kokushibo.

In a quick snap, Muzan teleported to Infinity fortress. Leaving Tanjiro in the mansion, in the library.

"...Muzan-sama." Somehow Tanjiro felt lonely.

But then,

"Hehh~ its really you isn't!"

A voice of folly beckoned to him.

BADUMP!

Even though he does not really know him, he felt threat and discomfort.

"Yahoo~ Upper moon zero! Or should I call you Tanjiro Sumiko-chan?" Dark giggling, "Am Douma, the priest of wisdoms or whatever?" Douma is in front of him, revealing some kind of memories that Tanjiro could not really protect himself.

"You, are...?!"

Tanjiro's POV

There was this man.

"I love you, you are mine."

He said his name is Kibutsuji Muzan.

"You are my property, my cute little and special upper moon zero."

He said I was a demon and his lover.

"Sumiko..."

He said my name is Tanjiro but sometimes he will call me Sumiko.

From what I remember, my name is actually Tanjirou Sumiko. From the clan of fire priests...my parent's made me an earing for two sides to gain human like emotions but...

"Am a demon...?"

I was told am not human anymore. I look at the mirror with slight doubt but...

"Tanjiro-sama, Muzan-sama said you must stay at your room till he comes back."

The demons treats me higher than themselves, so maybe indeed am an upper moon zero and his husband or wife...I cannot tell which one.

All I know is how he treat me.

This Muzan guy had...

"Ahhh...!"

Been gentle and sadistic to me.

He was rough when he bite my wrist then spread my spilling blood to my left arm till my armpit and lick them as if am a food.

"I-It tickles."

He was gentle whenever...

"Come here Tanjiro, let me dry your hair up." Whenever he takes care of me. He was cold blooded but he would embrace me and tell him how am nice.

"Tanjiro you are so hot. I like your warmth, it reminds me of the sun..." he would caress me and sniff my scent and hug me tight like am going to disappear if he wont do it.

"...Stay with me."

He always command me but he does not dictate what I want.

"You are beautiful as ever."

Muzan would praise my features, to the point he would dress me up.

"Here, take this robe." He says as he puts them on me and showed my image at the tall oval mirror. I saw myself and my eyes sparkled in interest.

"You look very good on it Tanjiro-kun."

Not knowing this is just how I used to look like in past life.

He would play my hair and say, "Will you grow your hair? If so, I would love to tie them."

Apparently Tanjirou Sumiko in his memories looks like that.

Maybe that is why he likes giving me red clothes.

Until I found him looking lonesome as he stared above the moon.

I finally adjust and called his name out of his uttermost effort to make me like him back.

It is to speak up.

"...Muzan-sama?"

I crawled out of the futon to join him at the veranda to watch the moonlight. His eyes were widen before he touches my cheeks. "You called me?"

I nods and smiles. "Yes, Muzan-sama."

I thought he was my master.

I really thought...

But then again, whenever at the futon or the English bed one. Muzan-sama would turn into a monster that will pleasure me like an erupting volcano.

"Mm-mmhnnn...!"

I would bite my lips and bear it.

Maybe it is love with lust?

"I love you so much.."

Muzan will always say, and I would question.

"Why do you love me?"

He would always cast down his eyes and lie.

"Because you came back to me."

I'm not sure which one he loves.

The present me or the old me.

That is why...I only stick to one thing.

That is to love him back unconditionally until...

Outer POV

Tanjiro is about to utter his name with familiarity but eventually it became a question. "Do...ma...?"

It rings a bell but he cannot phantom who exactly Douma is to his life.

As for Douma, he simply wanted to spice things up.

"My, my Sumiko. Aren't you suppose to be doing your revenge and not becoming Muzan-sama's betrothed ~?"

Tanjiro the seamless doll front earlier made a face. He is finally frowning to be mad a bit, because this demon Douma says things that can trigger your temper.

"Muzan-sama, said, cannot, enter premises without, say!" Tanjiro snarled at him. "Go away...upper demon...!" It was a unpleased face from the human being who thinks he is demon.

Making Douma so amused. "Ahahaha~!"

Made the other more and more confused.

Douma suddenly zooms his face and Tanjiro froze in fear, because of the demon's evil grinning.

"Does Muzan-sama really loves you or was it because you are just Sumiko's reincarnation~? Hm~?"

Tanjiro blinks and tried to retort back the best he could, "T-that's!" But of course he does not know the answer.

Douma grins wider.

"You are just a replacement~ what a poor thing!"

Badump, badump.

For whatever reason that hit hard.

Tanjiro's head hurts and he clutches them while chanting to deny everything.

"That's not true, not true, not true!" Because he remembers a little bit, same time he does not. "Am Sumiko...!"

But it just gave a pang on his heart. "Am...am...also-"

"Tanjiro?!"

A familiar voice called his name. Douma also did not expect the pillars found this place with the leading Tomioka Guren's reincarnation.

Douma's eyes and so is Giyuu's widen. They recognize each other.

"Its you...!?"

Shinobu though reacted so angry and ask Douma to fight him. 'It is the priest of water huh~ strange they found this place...have to tell Muzan-sama.'

Quickly the insect, mist and snake pillar fights Douma.

As for the love pillar and Giyuu they grab Tanjiro's both arms to take him away.

In response, Tanjiro just surprised gasp and covers his mouth.

'W-who?'

He remembered Muzan's orders not to speak whenever humans are around or it will make him weak as a upper moon zero.

Not knowing it was just a way to avoid Tanjiro regaining his own will and memories if demon slayers talks to him or any human being makes him realize that he is not actually a demon yet...

Strange why Muzan did not convert him to be more realistic and no more hassle to hide Tanjiro from society?

Because deeply Muzan believed he can be still human or he liked the idea of keeping Sumiko humane.

Anyhow, "ah?!" Tanjiro squeaked and covers again his mouth, he was carried by the strong Mitsuri. "Q-Quick! Lets get out of h-here!"

Mitsuri carried Tanjiro in a princess cradle, though it did not bother him. Instead he wanted to express himself. 'W-wait!' His mouth shouts with no volume but its in his head.

Giyuu eyed him by a assuring small smile that only him can see. "Were here to rescue you Tanjiro. Like I have always promised, I will protect you."

The bell rings in his ears.

It clicked to him who it was.

Whispering his name under his breath with familiarity. 'Gu...ren?'

The amnesia boy Kamado Tanjiro is finally rescued from the devil's lies.

As for the said devil...

"What? Are you saying am pregnant?"

Muzan cannot believe his ears as what Kokushibo told him.

"I always look at you Muzan-sama. Therefore I know what changes to your body." Kokushibo did not bat an eye. "The father is probably Sumiko's reincarnation, Tanjiro."

He repeated again.

"You are having a child."

Chapter Text

Hi Greetings to all, Kanon58 no desu!

To all of my fanfic followers whether you are new or old loyal fans. First I would like to thank you all for the support by faving and reviewing delightful reviews in all my fanfics. This announcement is something I will upload in all of my other fanfic so that I would know which fanfic I made is still being discovered out here in

You might be wondering why some fanfics are dropped, I would like to answer them here.

1st Some most favorite fanfics of mine are dropped because back then it lacked reasons to continue further. For example I found a new anime I'm driving to fangirl and I tend to forgot what plot I made for those certain unfinished fanfics.

2nd I have recently followed my dream to become a legitimate author. Not just author for fanfics or for comedies which my forte's are. I would be very happy if you can try reading or checking out my Manga/comics. Kindly visit Webtoon, Tapas Comics,Mangacat,WEBCOMICS, Fliptoons to check my most released books. Titled 'Paradox Mansion' the other is 'Bloody War to rule the game'. If you could drop a review there as well to boost my confidence would be really appreciated.

3rd I have turned 24 and I'm gonna be 25 next year. I have become busy on my work outside (not only the manga part) but I work in Call Center since 2017 and it's damn exhausting. Only fanfics and my own manga makes me forget about reality. I have drafts of my unfinished business with of my fanfics I haven't bother to edit, because I want someone to appreciate my manga/comics instead.

4th I'm not quitting the fanfiction but expect long hiatus on some unfinished fanfics as mention! Also I'm in idea pursuing a youtuber career if I get more subs. Am now at the peak of 799 subs I think. So would you support me there as well? My new Youtube channel name is "Kanon58ful the OrangeMaker" sub that one, the only one named 'kanon58ful' is locked unfortunately.

5th if you wish to be my friends just follow my social media links in my fanfiction bio. I don't bite and heck! I would be happy to be friends with my readers!

Please continue to read my fanfics but also care to read my actual own stories outside fanfiction!

Thank you minna-sama, then again this is Jeana-sama bowing her curtains for a official Hiatus announcement.

We will meet again if you check my works outside fanfiction but of course do not forget to still drop your reviews in fanfiction as well!

See you around the internet!

Chapter Text

To my dear fanfic readers,

To my old solid fanbase (whose maybe dead or maybe not) versus to my new fans. Please help me report this person removing all my watermarks on the 'Muzanjiro Memes' I made in year 2020.

https://www.youtube.com/@Anidiction
twitter.com/Anidiction
with 371K subscribers

The audacity of this person gain more popularity for using my Demon Slayer memes as his. And who knows, he would probably use my fanfic of demon slayer for content soon without credits.

If you think it's no big deal, it is big deal. Imagine you made a fanfic, fanart, fan meme with your watermark and it got popular. Then some random dude who wants more popularity decided to replace your name 'kanon58' into 'anidiction'. Clearly this person is belittling little content creator. I'm not popular as I used to because of adulting, but it doesn't mean you can erase me and take credit for all the jokes and gags I made with my whole heart. He has twitter and of course he will win, nobody cares because am a nobody.

But as a fellow Muzanjiro shipper who have adored all my muzanjiro fanfics and muzanjiro memes please report this guy and tell him to be 'ashamed' of his actions.
I promise to finish 'Illegal Fire Reincarnates' if you will help me win this case.

Please don't let other people erase Kanon58 works in any of social media just because she doesn't prioritize going on social media all day long. It hurts to see other people getting popularity by using something you worked on. I made those jokes, my muzanjiro memes are very important to me and my friends who help me work on that just to be replaced by Anidiction's so called WATERMARK that he claim to have made the meme himself.

If we win, I will continue my muzanjiro fanfic you all been awaiting for.

Sincerely Kanon58ful/Jeana-sama/Kanon58/Kanon Matsuyuki