Queen of the Night

Mars needs Mom

What is this feeling
So sudden and new?

I felt the moment
I laid eyes on you

My pulse is rushing

My head is reeling

My face is flushing

What is this feeling?
Fervid as a flame
Does it have a name?

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"I hate her so much, but there's nothing I can do about it."

Hotaru found herself once again at Rui's place where she was fiddling around with string techniques that he had taught her. Lacing the strings with her father's poison, she managed to create her own web tricks. Rui was a good teacher, allowing his pseudo sibling to stay at his place on Mount Natagumo. The spider family was like a second family to her, with Rui making them see her as their superior. The boy was her favorite since Daki and Gyutaro now showered Fuyuka with their attention.

"You know how upset okaasan would be if you killed her." Rui helped her fix the cat's cradle she was attempting to make. "If she plays a bigger role, you need to show her who's boss."

"That's the thing." Hotaru hissed as she cut herself a bit. "Fuyuka lived with her father whom spoils her constantly. My father doesn't spoil me, but he does allow me some liberties. Training with him does make me sore, but he makes sure that I am healed. Fuyuka only has to batt her little eyelashes and she gets anything she wants. Doma is incorrigible, but his child makes me want to wring his neck even more."

Rui hummed to himself, showing her his finished cat's cradle. "The best solution I can give you is to wait until okaasan wakes up or find a way into her mind and make her heal faster."

The young demon girl thought about this. If her mother came out of her coma, then she can fix up Fuyuka and make her father smile again. This could work if they had the right healer for the job or figure out why she was taking so long. She then recalled Bashira mentioning an old friend of her mother's that was a doctor by trade. Perhaps this doctor would know what to do.

"Rui, when I become queen, make sure to be by my side as my advisor." Hotaru got up and patted his head. "You have helped me more than you know."

Rui blushed a bit, relishing the feeling of her hand on his head. It reminded him of okaasan and how she would comfort him when he felt down. "A pleasure to serve you Hotaru-san. After all, you are the only one who understands me."

With a wave, she leapt out the window and ran into the night. Doma and Fuyuka's days were numbered as soon as she woke up her mother.

She only prayed her mother would be okay while she was gone.

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"So beautiful, a miracle that your beauty remains untouched."

The moon shone brightly over the garden, casting large shadows from the various trees. A light snow was falling , the clouds covering the moon slightly. Sorashi's coffin was seen uncovered, thick blankets were laid over her sleeping form. Unbeknownst to the queen, the familiar visage of Doma was laying next her sleeping form while their daughter was alseep at the other end. He gave a silent cheer when Fuyuka suggested they bring blankets for her mother least she freeze in the cold. Doma agreed almost immediately, gathering many blankets to drape over her body. Sneakily, he managed to convince his daughter to let him sleep near Sorashi to "preserve her body heat".