False Prophet

Chapter 5

He had been summoned.

He kneels as his lord works at his desk, making notes. The ever-shifting fortress was the only noise that was louder than his note-taking.

"Akaza, go kill Douma." His fists press into the wood.

The bastard disappeared for a century after stealing his title as Uppermoon Two. The battle ended in humiliation, his rank switched with Douma, throwing him down to Uppermoon Six. His fury was so great he slaughtered and absorbed the weakling that held Uppermoon Three. Hantengu and Gyokko's ranks wouldn't do.

He decided that day he first saw the kanji for Uppermoon Two in those colorful eyes, that he would murder the son of a bitch no matter what.

He trained, going after Hashira, consuming the flesh of the best.

Then he had called for a blood battle after seven years of training. Impatient to get his title back. All the other Uppermoons had made it, even the new Upper sixes that had climbed the ranks quickly with the power vacuum left from him taking the spot of Upper three.

Nakime had followed Muzan's order to summon Douma. The woman had strummed her Biwa, the sound ringing out. Crimson eyes would look to Nakime, the demon striking her instrument again.

Akaza's fist had curled even tighter that day. Claws digging into his palm, blood dripping to the floor.

Douma had ignored the call for battle.

Now, he had his chance to murder Douma.

Oh, he will cherish destroying every piece of that bastard.

—
Douma sneezed, startling Inosuke from his nap. The baby whimpers once before Kotoha is patting the child's back.

The three had begun to travel, for where Douma's former temple stood was unsafe.

Douma had asked if his eyes looked strange, wanting to know if his kanji was there.

Kotoha would confirm his fears and he can only wish to rid of the kanji. It showed he was still tied down to Muzan.

Luckily, his hunger wasn't nearly as bad as before. But in exchange for his hunger not being his main torture, his wounds healed at a much slower rate. It was like he was a newborn demon again. It took him a handful of minutes to recover the damage that he had taken in battle.

It worried him. He was on edge of what this could mean. He couldn't be as reckless as before, receiving blow after blow.

He wouldn't be able to protect them.

Inosuke once again settled on his back, the baby unbothered once he calmed down, going back to sleep as they made their way.

It had only been a few days and Douma was still baffled at being able to walk under the sun.

He would much rather be content with Kotoha knowing how he felt about her and Inosuke.

But not now, not till he can find a way to guarantee their safety.

May Buddha continue giving him the gift of walking under the sun if it meant he was one step closer to giving them sanctuary.

—
Their first obstacle wasn't a demon.

But still a monster.

They had begun to pass through the second town of the day when a young man in his mid-twenties stepped out of a house. Already throwing swears at them. At the doorway, Douma spots a withered woman, allowing her son to act like this in public.

Inosuke was distressed, hiding under his long hair, seeking shelter like a scared rodent in the presence of a predator.

Kotoha had paled when the man rapidly approached and Douma stepped forward, his height easily stopping the man in his tracks.

"We are just on our way-" The man grabs his collar, trying to drag the demon to his level. It didn't work, though his racket was gathering attention.

"THAT'S MY WIFE AND SON!!" Douma's eyes go blank, staring down at the man. Inosuke whimpers, revealing his hiding spot to his biological father. The man's glare goes to Inosuke, his grip loosening on his collar and reaching to drag Inosuke from safety.

Douma wouldn't allow that.

He grabs the man's wrists, a vice-like grip that had the man jerking trying to escape.

Kotoha stood frozen, the trauma of her abuse surely making her unable to react.

That's fine, he can take care of the worm.

"So you were the reason Kotoha fled."

"THAT BITCH RAN-" Douma punches him for that comment, using only a percentage of his strength. His grip held on even when the man fell back with the force. With little effort, he tugs the man up, his height equal to his eye level, the man's feet dangling in the air.

"You're the reason she had to seek help. Her child was dying, eyes that were supposed to be watching nearly killing him." The man spits in his face, blood landing on his cheek.

It should have triggered him.

But Inosuke whimpering into his robes was enough for Douma.
His free hand takes hold of the man's shoulder, shoving it downward till an audible pop is heard.

The man cries out at that. There was no air for him when Douma's fist dug into his ribs, breaking them and emptying his lungs.

His fist was stinging, surely his healing not kicking in because Buddha didn't approve of this reaction, wanting a passive approach from him.

He couldn't just allow this filth off so easily.

Kotoha finally chokes and light comes back into his eyes. He lets the man fall. Bringing his foot down on his shin, breaking it. He wouldn't be able to chase them now.

Kotoha was still shaken as they left the town, all in shock at what had unfolded.

Inosuke was quiet, shivering and gripping his hair long after they left the sight of the town.

—

When they set up camp, Douma starts the fire quickly and intends to not talk about what happened earlier.

Kotoha however finds her way to his side, Inosuke in the crook of her arm. Her head lands on his shoulder, her hand reaching for his, entwining their fingers.

His surprise is immense when she speaks.

"Thank you." She soon falls asleep, leaving Douma to his thoughts as he watches over them.

Me watching Douma beat the shit out of Kotoha's husband
Me: How romantic