Prodigal Son

Chapter 1

His power was useless at this point. The moisture was too little at this time making it hard to generate anything.

Douma watches as the flames reached the night sky of his temple as it burned to the ground.

Kotoha, his wife, was barely clinging to life right now in his arms as he collapsed to his knees, his burns from finding her in the flames healing. Her heartbeats were slow as he tried to focus on her but his mind was muddled.

His breathing, though unneeded became harsh as he looked over his shoulder. Tears finally prickled his eyes which were lit beautifully in the face of destruction.

Where was Inosuke?

He looks down at his wife and his ears pick up something else. He throws his head back in a cry to the heavens that he didn't believe in as his temple crashes behind them.

WHY DID THIS HAPPEN?!?

—

Two weeks he would be gone, Lord Muzan wanting him to look into a lead for the blue spider lily. The demon didn't want to go but his Kotoha promised to celebrate his return this time.

"Don't worry, I won't be long." Douma kisses his wife, relishing the sweetness before pulling back. She bushes a stray of hair from his face, tucking it behind an ear before nodding.

"TOU-SAN!" Kotoha laughs as from a tree, Inosuke launches himself from a branch he had been climbing and Douma catches him.

At six years old, he was getting big and Douma can't wait to see him grow more into his features.

"You'll be good for your Kaa-san won't you?" Inosuke nods but then frowns.

"YOU have to come back sooner rather than later!" Douma can only nod at the request.

"I'll certainly try." He flashes his fangs in a smile, Inosuke doing the same but for a more devious reason.

Douma doesn't stop it but Kotoha sighs as Inosuke with all his strength swings his head into the chin of his father. A bad habit he has formed since he was a baby. Something his father doesn't take too much care to correct even when it was rude. It was a sign of affection for Inosuke

"Ouch-' Douma licks the blood that escapes his mouth where his fangs dug into his inner cheek. 'You have been getting stronger haven't you my little boar."

Inosuke smiles and shows an arm that he soon flexes.

"Of course, I have to be strong for Mama!"

The demon boops his nose. "Good. Keep getting strong till you can beat your old man."

He hopes that day never happens.

Inosuke smiles and nods eagerly. Douma sets him down and kneels for a moment more. His arms spread out, his finger beckoning him.

Inosuke is quick to give him a hearty hug that he feverishly returns.

"Be good for your mother okay?" He feels his son nod and he lets him go.

He should have held longer.

Douma leaves his temple grounds, looking over his shoulder to see his wife and son waving him off.

He flashes a cheeky smile before stepping into darkness.

Why did he leave?

—

Nearby, a few demon slayers were investigating a strange case. Corpses were decomposing at an accelerated rate and the trail was death.

It was written off as a flu but it was more than that.