False Prophet

Chapter 3

Inosuke's giggling awakens Kotoha, the young mother sitting up sharply after finally falling into a deep sleep. She finds her son laughing as he pulls on the golden crown that resigns on Douma's head. The man was face down, the stone under him strangely cracked and she couldn't remember if that was how it was or not.

As she thinks, Inosuke has calmed down enough to crawl on top of Douma's back and use his long hair as a pillow, yawning as he falls asleep. Kotoha smiles, not thinking much about why Douma decided to join them tonight but gives him a spare kimono as a blanket to keep him and Inosuke warm.

—
Douma would wake after a few minutes, having been knocked out on the second one.

He felt a light weight on his back along with warmth. He finds Kotoha has shifted in her sleep and Inosuke was nowhere to be found. A small yawn and movement on his back would be his answer, the little menace having gotten a good laugh out of his new ability.

Surely it must have been Buddha to bestow such a gift.

He did wonder why the child instead of the mother. Perhaps it was because Inosuke could sense he was a demon. A few elderly asking for good health had fled his temple once they sensed his aura. Some children had even played around it only to run away once they felt his presence.

Douma gives up for the night, knowing if he moves now, it'll wake Inosuke. So the demon folds his arms in front of him to tuck his nose into his elbow. Deciding to meditate for the night as Kotoha and Inosuke sleep.

—
The weeks pass by quickly, and Inosuke grows bigger, crawling away from his mother's side as she does some chores to go find Douma. Kotoha wasn't all that worried once she saw Inosuke sneak his way into the temple, knowing he would be watched.

A tight smile appears on Douma's normally neutral facade when he meditates as he hears the telltale signs of Inosuke making his way to plant himself beside the demon. Most times he would sit there for a little bit before sneezing at how dusty this part of the temple was. Other times he'll yawn and climb his way into his lap to take a nap.

But then there were the moments when he -

"Dada?" The force of the crown seems to be weaker as Douma seemingly went on his own, much like how someone has a hand on the back of another's head to get them to bow.

"Dou-ma. My name is Douma, Inosuke." Douma looks from his bowed position. He has never been annoyed but this child was testing him by giving him the wrong name. He can be cursed out or called leader but being called something he isn't doesn't sit right with him.
The baby of now six months didn't understand that and started to tear up.

"Dadaaa!!" His angry wail made the short space between the floor and his head zero as a sickening smack was heard. Litter around the room were cracks all around from Inosuke learning his new favorite phrase.

He groans from his position, Inosuke finally laughing, giggling at his despair and his savior comes in the form of Kotoha.

"Douma-san! I'm sorry." From his laid position, Inosuke had once again found his way onto his back and did not leave him.

"It's quite alright. How has your day been?" Douma knows it going to be the same answer but striking up a conversation kept Inosuke entertained as he watched the adults chatter. Soon he would be lulled asleep and grabbing his mother's sleeve.

Douma watches the child and can't help but wonder if his own mother ever saw him as such. He only remembers ever being praised for his role in the cult, his skin almost pasty because he didn't go outside much like the other children.

Perhaps Muzan's gift was a blessing.

A tightening of his crown told him it wasn't as the thought quickly left his mind.

"You know, Inosuke loves you." Douma tilts his head at that.

"How could a baby know that?" The young mother laughs, a light blush coming to her as she pokes at the soft skin of Inosuke's cheek.

"His father never treated him as kindly or with as much tolerance as you. You're patient with him." Her gaze finds his and her smile makes something tighten in him.

"Thank you."

He had never questioned the situation they had come from, having waited for Kotoha to talk about it herself. It was terrible enough for her to seek a miracle for a then-sickly Inosuke. The little one would grow up just fine, especially with his gift to make a demon faceplant into the ground.

He doesn't notice the light blush on his cheeks as he replies with a wide grin.

"No need to thank me, Kotoha-chan."

—
It was odd how attached he felt to them. Inosuke follows him like a puppy as he crawls to keep up with him as he goes to meditate during the day. Early evening, the three would go for a stroll. Douma at one point lets Kotoha carry Inosuke so he can go catch some fireflies to let the baby see.

His heart felt off at those times.

His focus was supposed to be on learning to suffer and he seems to be failing at that.

It was as though the universe heard his thoughts bringing the ultimate test in the form of his past.

Being more active than before has brought an unwanted guest.

Douma heard Inosuke cry and he sat up from where he meditated.

It was different, a terrible wail and a terrified screech from Kotoha had Douma appearing in front of them.

He hadn't sensed him.

Those crimson eyes glare into his soul.

"Douma."

His lord Muzan stood before him and behind him, Kotoha and a whimpering Inosuke. He was the only objective against Muzan and them.

For some reason, Douma can't help the chill that runs down his spine.