Love & Blood

Chapter One - - Fear

"Did you find anything about the blue spider lily in that man's memories, Kimiko?"

Tamayo's voice broke the silence as we stood together in the eerie stillness of the bamboo grove. I could feel the tension in the air, thick with Muzan's frustration as he paced, unable to find the answers he so desperately sought.

Kimiko, with her eyes glowing a soft hue, had just consumed the blood of a man who had been a herbalist, hoping he might have knowledge of the elusive flower that could hold the key to Muzan's wish for immortality. But as her eyes dimmed and she stepped back, she shook her head.

"He didn't know anything about the blue spider lily."

The disappointment in her voice stung. She always tried so hard to make her father proud, but this failure—though not her fault—cut deep. I could see the sadness in her eyes, the weight of her desire to help Muzan.

I moved toward her, wrapping my arms around her. "It's alright, my love. You've done all you could. Your father... well, he'll need time to cool off."

Tamayo, ever the somber presence, gave me a sympathetic glance. I could feel her concern in the air, though neither of us said anything aloud. Muzan, lost in his own thoughts, stood a few feet away, his mind consumed by his relentless pursuit. We watched as his frustration grew, his movements sharp, his hands trembling in barely contained rage.

And then, in the midst of our quiet, something shifted. I caught Tamayo's fearful gaze before she quickly turned her eyes over my shoulder. I felt a chill run down my spine, instinct kicking in as I pulled Kimiko closer to me. Something wasn't right.

"Y/N!"

Muzan's voice, a warning, cut through the tension. His form appeared at my side in an instant, his eyes scanning the surroundings, looking for whatever danger had made Tamayo uneasy.

I turned. A figure stood at the edge of the bamboo, tall, with long hair and a sword at his side. His expression was cold, resolute.

"Muzan Kibutsuji," the man's voice rang out, deep and unwavering, "I've come to stop you. You've killed my wife, my child, and countless others. Today, your reign ends."

Muzan chuckled softly, the sound empty, as if dismissing the man entirely. His calm demeanor contrasted with the tension in the air, but I could see the flicker of something else in his eyes—something that made me uneasy.

"Who is that man, mother?" Kimiko whispered, looking up at me with wide eyes.

"I don't know, darling," I replied softly, "but stay close. Your father will take care of this."

Kimiko nodded, clutching tightly to my side. I glanced at Tamayo, whose face mirrored my own unease. We both knew this man wasn't just any warrior. There was something about him, something... different.

And then everything happened so quickly. Fire—brilliant and scorching—burst into existence, illuminating the night sky. I jumped back, instinctively shielding Kimiko as the flames roared to life. The heat was intense, almost unbearable. As the flames dispersed, I looked around, only to find Kimiko was no longer by my side.

"Kimiko!" I screamed, terror seizing my heart as I rushed forward, searching for her.

But then I saw it—the carnage. My daughter's body, torn apart, lay scattered across the ground. I froze. The sight was so gruesome, so final, I couldn't comprehend it. Kimiko, my sweet, brave girl, was gone. She had thrown herself in front of the attack, protecting her father at the cost of her own life.

"Kimiko!" I cried again, falling to my knees, cradling the dismembered pieces of my daughter in my arms. The horror, the agony, flooded me all at once. Her head, now lifeless, faded before my eyes. Her final words echoed in my mind—"I had to save Father..."

I felt the tears fall, hot and endless. I screamed in anguish, my entire being unraveling. In the midst of my sorrow, I barely registered the movement beside me until I felt Tamayo's arms around me, pulling me close, offering what little comfort she could.

Muzan, I realized, had vanished—leaving us behind. He hadn't even stayed to mourn his daughter. His only concern had been for himself. The realization hit hard, and it was then that I saw it in his eyes when he had looked at Kimiko—fear. Fear of his own mortality. Fear of the man who had struck him.

He was powerful, yes. But he was vulnerable in ways I had never seen before.

I let out a ragged sob as Tamayo held me, her face set in grim determination.

"He's a coward," Tamayo murmured, her voice filled with hatred. "He left you to suffer. He couldn't even protect his own daughter."

The swordsman stood in silence, his gaze softening as he lowered his weapon. The pity in his eyes made my anger flare up once more.

"I wasn't trying to kill her," he said, his voice steady. "Only him. Muzan."

"I... I don't know what to do anymore," I whispered, my voice raw with grief. "He's taken everything from me. He made us like this. He turned us into monsters."

The swordsman sighed deeply, his face etched with sorrow. "I understand. But I can offer you a chance for something better. I won't kill you, but only if you promise never to harm another human."

Tamayo stepped forward, her voice sharp as she scolded me. "Y/N, don't even think about going back to him! This is your chance to escape. We can be free."

I looked between the two of them, my heart torn. The loss of Kimiko weighed on me, but so did the realization that staying with Muzan was no longer an option.

"Who are you?" I asked, my voice hoarse.

"I'm Yoriichi Tsugikuni," he said simply.

And just like that, I knew. This was my chance to leave it all behind. To walk away from Muzan's cruel grasp and begin anew.

I turned to Tamayo, my heart heavy. "I need to be alone for now. I will find a way to stop him—on my terms. You should go with him. For your safety... and mine."

I nodded, her expression softening. We embraced one last time, the bond of friendship clear even through the sorrow.

"Take care, Y/N. You have been a true friend to me."

I watched her walk away, a sense of finality settling over me. Then, I turned back to Yoriichi, who stood quietly by, waiting for me to make my decision.

"You'll be safe with me," he assured me gently. "I can protect you. And together, we can stop Muzan."

I nodded, my resolve hardening. For the first time in centuries, I had the freedom to choose my own path.

And this time, it would be different.