Queen of the Night

We're All Messed Up

Inside him, there's longing
This girl's an open page
Book marking, she's so close now
This girl is half his age

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Now stir in the rest of this mixture and set it aside."

"So this is how you make a salve to heal minor cuts and bruises?"

"I wouldn't be called a doctor if I didn't know how to make salves."

Hotaru was at Lady Tamayo's place once more, learning and studying under the demon doctor. Ever since that faithful day, once a month Hotaru came to visit and perfect her medicinal prowess. Since her powers were linked with poison and decaying, she thought learning how to heal people would allow her to be more useful for battle. This came especially to no surprise when training with Gyutaro. Her elder brother enjoyed training with her, but got himself hurt in the process. It was a good thing they were both immune to poison.

Tamayo enjoyed the time she spent with her apprentice. A part of her realized how important it was to make sure that she taught her the trade, but the anger inside of her knew this was Muzan's child. It took a lot of willpower to not to lash out at her, but then she saw her old friend in her eyes. A friend she betrayed all those years ago...

"Do you think your mother will ever forgive me?"

"Why? What happened between the two of you? She never told us why."

"She didn't tell you?"

"I barely knew you existed had it not been for father cursing your name in front of me. I don't think mother likes talking about her personal life. We don't even know about her true family."

Suddenly, Hotaru was swept up in a strange feeling as Tamayo wrapped her arms around her. The smell of flowers and medicinal herbs wafted into her nose. Her mother had the scent of earth lingering on her and Bashira usually smelled of cinnamon. Her eyes closed with a warmth that only her mother could provide. All those years of hearing about how terrible Tamayo was were cast out the window.

If only her own mother could be as understanding like Tamayo. Hotaru knew what it felt like to be raised by one parent, but that parent had a sick and twisted mind. Her only female figure before her teacher was a man hating woman with a pension for perfectionism. A deeper feeling of anger bubbled within her when she realized that she had no good memories of her own mother. Was she not good enough to capture her attention? Was she not strong enough to protect her family? Why hadn't her mother ever told her that she was proud of her?

Too bad Yushiro ruined the moment.

"TAKE YOUR HANDS OFF HER!"

"MAKE ME, YOU BASTARD!"

"WHY YOU LITTLE-!"

"Will you two stop it!?"

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Oh my, your garden is coming out quite nicely."

"Arigato Kanae-oneesan!"

For weeks now, Fuyuka has been sneaking out of the house and meeting up with Kanae. She had grown attached to the older woman as if she were her own sister. Kanae would bring some tea and dango to share with the girl, seeing her own sister in her eyes. Since they met up at the same place, they decided to create a garden in the midst of the woods. The scent of wisteria lifted into the air, in which would've sent the most simplest of demons to the other side. However, the more Fuyuka planted them, the more immune she was.