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2 years later...
The day for the final selection was here and that was the day that [Name] finally woke up.
The demon child lay still in the futon. The scenery smelt vastly different than the cliff they were found in. Where were they?
They looked beside them and saw the body of a girl with dark hair. The girl had a peculiar smell to her and they realized they'd smelt this smell before. This smell was close to them a lot after the hanafuda boy had saved them.
[Name]'s eyes began searching around the small room they were in. Where was the boy with the nice earrings? Did he just disappear? They never got the chance to properly thank him.
The demon climbed out of the futon slowly, being quiet so they wouldn't wake the girl.
When they stood up straight, their legs were unusually wobbly and stiff. [Name] held themselves against the wooden wall so they wouldn't fall. How long have they been asleep for?
A sharp pain in their stomach made them jolt.
So hungry... need food...
Squeaks came from a nearby corner and instantly [Name]'s pupils turned sharp and cat-like.
They felt a strange urge to eat whatever was making that noise. Frantically, they shook their head.
No! You're fine! It's nothing!
A mouse came scurrying out of that very corner.
[Name] pounced so fast, the mouse in question had no chance of getting away. Upon being caught, it started to squirm in their hands.
It's a mouse... I can eat it... right?
The mouse squeaked even more at the sight of [Name]'s sharp fangs. Desperately, it tried to escape but it in the end it was pointless, the grip of the demon was too tight.
In an instant, the squeaking stopped.
It's enough... I think...
The child licked away any remaining mouse blood from their fingertips. They did a good thing, right? It was a vermin so it deserved to die.
They got up and opened the sliding door at the far end of the room. On the other side was an old man with a bright red Tengu mask. The old man heard the door opening and looked in their direction.
[Name] tightly shut the sliding door.
✎ (❁ᴗ͈ˬᴗ͈) ༉‧ ♡*.✧
2ɴᴅ ᴘᴏᴠ (๑˘ꇴ˘๑)
Urokodaki sat across from you with his arms crossed, making him appear scarier than he already was.
"So..." Urokodaki started, "You're the second one Tanjiro is traveling with, am I correct?"
You nodded half-heartedly, your focus entirely on the pot that was seemingly levitating off a small fire. Was this where Mr. Urokodaki cooked his food? What an interesting way to cook it.
Attempting to touch the fire was a big mistake. The moment your fingers made contact with the flames, your fingertips felt cold. You retracted your hand before it got any colder.
Urokodaki was watching you with a seemingly perplexed expression as you clutched your cold hand, "Why did you touch the fire? Don't you know it'll burn you?" He stood up and moved to sit next to you to inspect for any injuries.
He held the hand that was supposedly burned and examined it. Your hand was fine but, why did it feel so cold?
Maybe it was because you were asleep for so long, or maybe you weren't warm enough. Whatever it was, he shrugged it off as normal.
He released your hand from his grip, "Tanjiro mentioned that your name was [Name], correct?" You nodded again.
He hummed, "And how old are you, child?"
You thought for a while before holding up five fingers.
Urokodaki turned ghost white, well you suspected he did because he didn't respond for a long time. It was hard to tell what expression he was making, you assumed it was a sad one because his shoulders slumped down in sympathy.
"...What do you remember child? Before the boy found you." His voice was softer than before, more gentle than when he first spoke.
You stared at nothing for a long time. What did you remember? Your earliest memory was of your mother holding you by the throat by a cliff. Was that all? Was there nothing else before then?
You contemplated whether you should tell Urokodaki. There was no visible sign you were lying right? It's not like he's a mind reader.
You shook your head, the fire distracting you from his judgemental gaze. You felt Urokodaki staring at your neck, was there something wrong with it? Your neck was fine so why was he staring for so long?
He heaved a heavy sigh before he stood up. Breaking away from the fire, you watched as he opened a small drawer and pulled out a sapphire blue scarf. He shut the drawer and kneeled in front of you, blocking your view of the diminutive fire.
"I want you to have this," He said while proceeding to tie it around your neck. He was gentle while doing so as if you'd crack if he tied it too tight. "You must keep it on at all times, understood?"
Slowly, you nodded, the warmth of the scarf making you feel safe.
Urokodaki hummed in satisfaction before he gently grasped your shoulders, "[Name], I need you to promise me one thing," He gave your shoulders a squeeze, the eyes of the mask boring into your soul, "Promise me that you will never ever eat a human. If you do, neither I nor Tanjiro can guarantee your safety."
You stared at him confused, what was he talking about? You're a human too, why would you eat your own kind?
Urokodaki seemed to hear your confusion and you felt his grip become softer. He sighed, "I'm afraid you are no longer human my child."
The way your innocent eyes shined made Urokodaki uneasy. You were so young, you wouldn't be able to enjoy things like a normal child.
He wished he had met you sooner, maybe then you'd be safe from such a terrible fate.
He breathed out again, but it came out shakier than he intended, "You have been turned into the one thing humanity hates the most."
The atmosphere in the room became tense, the warmth of the scarf and the fire seemingly disappeared. The Tengu Masks' eyes were staring at you once more, but unlike the other times, this stare held one of sadness.
"You are a demon, my child. And I'm sorry I couldn't save you sooner."
