Fluttering Lotus Petals

Chapter 6: Light the Candle

Kocho Kanae's mind had been plagued with thoughts of the demon who most likely saved her for four years. He would pop up into her mind unexpectedly all the time: when she was with her sisters, researching, or even eating a meal. Most of the time, it was the same thought.

She would not be able to do these things if not for him.

She had been told stories of a "Wandering Traveler," whose description matched the one of the demon who saved her. She put two and two together quite easily, and was elated. When they rescued Kanao, Kanae had told her these stories as well, along with the story of her rescue. Young Kanao had particularly loved those stories, the light in her eyes shining as Kanae told her tales.

Shinazugawa might have thought that owing their life to a demon was despicable, but still, the demon filled her with hope. With him, a chance to befriend demons came, too. So when her younger sister had informed her of his arrival, her heartbeat raced in excitement. When she had heard about Kamado Nezuko as well, it had caused her great joy. Now, there was another friendly demon.

The tides were changing.

She excitedly raced down her own halls, ignoring Shinobu's indignant shouts for her to stop running. Shinobu sighed. "He's staying with Kamado Nezuko!" she shouted after her.

Kanae shouted a thanks back before continuing down the hall to the room where the sunlight could not penetrate. Skidding to a stop before the door, she quickly composed herself before knocking.

"Come in," a familiar voice called softly. Kanae slid the door open to reveal the two demons sprawled on the floor. Nezuko was asleep on the other's legs while he was propped up against the bed. The demons were illuminated by the shining light of his lotus lantern on the floor next to them.

"Koi-sama, my name is Kocho Kanae," she said, addressing him by the only name she knew. "I don't know if you remember but–"

"I saved you from Douma-san, yes," the demon interjected, voice rising slightly in excitement. "I apologize for cutting you off. My true name is [Name]. There's no need for you to address me as Koi-sama; only the other members of the Twelve Kizuki call me that."

"Other..?" Kanae trailed off once her eyes adjusted to the lighting and she saw his illuminated face, along with the kanji in his eyes.

Ah. Now everything makes sense, she thought. She didn't know how Kanao would react, but she made sure to tell her later.

"Would you like to sit down?" he asked, gesturing to the empty space before him. Kanae smiled and nodded, settling herself down in front of [Name].

"I've been wanting to meet you again ever since that day," she declared excitedly, "to ask you a question."

"What a coincidence, so do I! Would you like to go first?" He whispered, careful not to wake the sleeping demon on his legs.

Kanae swallowed. "Why did you save me that day, even though you knew I would be nutritious to eat?"

The corners of [Name]'s eyes crinkled as he smiled. "Because I didn't want you to die. You are a kind soul and deserve to live in your own body, not 'living' in Douma-san's."

"Your turn," Kanae offered.

"Why don't you hate demons?" [Name] blurted, the question rising out of him impatiently. "I've always wanted to know, since you're the first person I met who did not hate demons."

Kanae paused. "I'm unsure of it myself. My parents were slaughtered by demons, like so many others. My happiness was destroyed like so many others." Her remaining hand lingered on her stump.