False Prophet

Chapter 12

All of Muzan's remaining demons were told of the betrayal of Uppermoon Three and the absent Two.

Demons live long lives if they weren't ignorant when facing slayers. So it was indeed a surprise to hear how some of the longest-living demons currently have gone and turned their back on the one that gave them this life.

Which made Gyutaro groan at the news.

He had only known Douma a short time, the demon invested in the development of him and his sister before he claimed his rank as Upper Two, leaving rank Six for the taking.

His claws dig into his face, nails scratching at his eye that showed the rank once held by the bastard.

It seems that Douma was once again leaving a rank open for the taking.

He cackles, Daki looking up upon seeing how her brother is acting unhinge.

—

Douma yawns, nuzzling into Kotoha's shoulder, her blood pumping slowly as she slept.

Sleep has become a habit with her, not one he fights, it's an act that makes him...feel human.

Inosuke was happily crawling around their heads as they rested in the wisteria house. It was still early morning and Kotoha was exhausted, needing all the rest she could get.

Douma rose, shifting the futon over Kotoha and watching Inosuke as he babbled and clapped his hands at seeing Douma awake. The demon offers his hands for the baby to crawl into. Inosuke gladly comes and Douma lifts him up. The baby giggles as the demon tosses him lightly.

"Inosuke, I will see to it you live a full life." Douma promises, laying down and letting the baby fall asleep for a short nap.

—
Akaza is watching the sun rise as he hears the door open and the Hashira is stretching in the sun. Those bright eyes find him and the slayer perks up, lifting a hand and waving to the demon in a friendly manner.

"Good morning!" Akaza didn't acknowledge him till the slayer stepped forward in the open area before him. The slayer was donning his cloak, flaring behind him as he stood proudly.

"Would you like to be my sparring partner this morning?" Akaza raises a brow, before slowly standing, the sun warming his skin.

The Hashira waits only to watch the demon walk into the house, shutting the door behind him.

"Maybe next time then!"

—

They had only one more camp night before they would arrive at the residence of the Demon Corps leader. Something was easing in his soul at the thought that maybe, Inosuke and Kotoha could finally be safe at all times.

He watches in amusement as Akaza interacts with Kyojuro. Their relationship was oddly charming when they weren't going for their throats. Douma was fine with observing from behind, Inosuke on his back and Kotoha walking beside him.

Douma would leave them at the campsite once they had set up, intending on hunting Kotoha a nice meal and maybe finding a flower for her as a gift.

He had made it only as far as the firelight when he was attacked from behind.

He heard the cries from Kotoha and Inosuke, Kyojuro unsheathing his sword, and the boom of Akaza launching himself.

Though the killing intent was only direct to him.

Douma laughs out as his blood spills on the ground, a sickle digging into his throat as a sash is wrapped around him.

A raspy voice is speaking when the owner activates his blood demon art to fight off Akaza.

"Stop that." Gyutaro presses his hand into his face and groans as he hears Daki scream at Akaza targeting her.

"You are foolish for coming here! What were you hoping to achieve?" Akaza had crushed Daki's head in and held her as she struggled. Kyojuro was ready to cut Daki's head off only for Douma to chuckle.

"Hashira, it's useless, you'll have to chop both their heads off." Douma received a claw to his face.

"OI, OI, OI, WHAT GIVES YOU THE RIGHT TO TELL OTHERS OUR SECERT?" Gyutaro shouts in Douma's face, finally taking note of the crown that encircles his head.

"Oi, Now you aren't just betraying Muzan-sama, now you make yourself out like a lord?" Akaza wants to scuffle at the remark. He doesn't even try to stop the demon as he tries to grab the crown on Douma's head.

Douma sighs, knowing what is going to happen.

Kyojuro watches as the moment the crown is touched by the demon, he is blasted by a brilliant light. Akaza lets Daki go as she too is shot by the light and the two siblings are knocked into each other.

"ONI-SAN! WHAT'S HAPPENING?" Daki cries as the two thrown towards each other. They groan as the back of their heads smack together and their opponents watch as matching headbands made of a gold cloth forms.

Douma shakes off Daki's sashes, quickly going to Kotoha's side, letting her check him over when she didn't need to. He smiles lightly at her, showing he is unfazed. However, that couldn't be said for Inosuke who was reaching for him. The baby was tearing up as Douma took him from Kotoha.
Douma nuzzles Inosuke as the baby pulls on his crown, feeling loose but Douma doesn't take note of it.

He looks up as Akaza and Kyojuro surround the dazed siblings. Gyutaro is the one that looks up, to glare at him.

"OI, YOU CAN'T JUST-" He would be cut off as his and Daki's gold headbands began to light up.

"Oi!" Douma looks down at Inosuke, the baby having sniffed back his tears but had mimicked the word Gyutaro had shouted at him.

Just like before, the spell is activated and the distance between the back of the siblings' heads becomes zero as a sickening crack is heard. The siblings go limp, falling to their sides. Akaza is the first to go back and tend to the fire. Kyojuro is a bit hesitant to go and leave demons alive but when Douma curls an arm around Kotoha. Douma keeps her close the rest of the night.

—
Douma wakes to Buddha once more, taking a moment to nod to him before looking to where Akaza was sparring once again with his mentor.

His gaze does find someone new with them, a woman with light robes who nods to Buddha. Her eyes find him and he has to blink, thinking she reminded him of Kotoha.

"Douma, this is Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy. She will be looking after young Gyutaro and Daki."

—
Waking up that morning was fun, having to calm down Inosuke as the siblings tried to bury themselves or run away only for the golden artifacts to activate. Kotoha was pressed into his side, seeking to hide when the siblings screamed when the sun hit their skin.

A smack on the back of the head from Gyutaro from Akaza would stop their screaming, leaving the demons confused.

—
His fists curled as once again, another one of his moons was gone.

Muzan was not pleased.

—
Kokushibo had begun tracking Douma and Akaza, going to Akaza's last known location before going in the direction of Douma's former cult, believing the demon maybe would be foolish enough to go there.

He was met with the sight of followers teaching false teachings of Buddhism.

Uppermoon One could never fall for such a philosophy.