False Prophet

Chapter 20

Inosuke looks up from his sleep, drool leaving his mouth and stains the red shirt of the demon. His tou-san and kaa-san were still fast asleep, pressed against each other. His papa had an arm around his mama and a hand on his back. Inosuke whimpers, wanting to reach out and get attention. The hand on his back pats him once and then his Tou-san is sitting up, yawning.

His eyes are bright as ever but Inosuke goes to reach out, wanting to touch the fangs that seem shorter. His papa was even more fair-skinned compared to when he was at his temple.

Douma doesn't notice these minor details, focusing on the baby.

"What is it Inosuke? Did you want to eat something?" At the thought of food, Inosuke lets out a happy cry. In recent weeks, he's been given more solid foods and he can't wait to see what he was introduced to this time.

Perhaps fire head will bring something nice. He usually does when visiting his favorite sitter.

His mama would sit up as well, stretching before leaning on Douma's shoulder.

"Inosuke, let's go eat breakfast." Inosuke would let out a happy giggle as his mama picked him up.

—
His normal routine since being here is having breakfast first which would usually be in his mother's arms while she eats. Inosuke however has begun to sit in his papa's lap, the demon handing him sample bites to try. Inosuke loves the meat and not so much of other stuff outside of rice and savory items.

When they are done, Inosuke is left with one of his many sitters.

The most patient one is Jiji. He holds him close when needed and carries him before he wants to crawl or toddle around the garden. It would be a good hour before Inosuke would fall into his lap, napping away where he would wake to his papa taking him to his next sitter.

The siblings tried teaching him fun words but his papa stopped them before they could. Inosuke would pout and cry out, laughing at the result that is his papa falling onto his face. The siblings would have till a visitor came and lunch was served.

The demons didn't eat but were slowly filling as was the case for Gyutaro. Inosuke sadly can't smack his ribs so easily and get a dull poke from a curled knuckle.

After lunch, his mama sings him a lullaby, another nap for the day, and enjoying the sun. His papa would take him for a bit.

Finally, before dinner rolls around, his final sitter would watch him.

Odd how today he seems to be breathing hard after his sparring match with Sunset Head. Kyojuro was breathing hard as well, his fists trembling at the grip they had on his sword.

It would be a moment before they are able to control themselves and entertain the baby.

"Shit!!" Poor Hakuji falls and is knocked out. Kyojuro sets Inosuke and tilts his head.

"Hakuji-kun?" A smile would appear before the Hashira gets the demon on his back and then looks back at the baby. He gets Inosuke in his arms and is making his way inside.

His papa is cackling upon seeing that Hakuji was knocked out and Inosuke cries out in excitement.

"Dada!" His papa falls again but this time he is out. His mama is by his side and simply asks for help from the newly arrived Jiji.

Kokushibo moves Douma and then takes Hakuji from Kyojuro who had refused to leave him with Douma.

Inosuke would be crawling between the unconscious demons, amused by their golden artifacts and hair before settling by his papa as his mama served him dinner. His new teeth help him chew these new foods and make him crave more.

His papa would shoot up when his mama announced that she was going to go bathe. His papa becomes strangely red in the face before calling out to his mama.

Inosuke would be bathed first before leaving with Kokushibo, watching the rising moon.

"Watch your surroundings and you will never be surprised as to what comes." He didn't know what that meant but the slow drawn-out way he said his words made Inosuke sleepy once more. Inosuke whimpers, curling into the purple checkered kimono, wanting the red shirt that felt soft under his fists.

His papa would come by, a rumble of satisfaction as he comes to take Inosuke for the night.

Inosuke would need to calm down again before being put down for the night.

It was nice.
He was loved and watched over. He could tried all the foods his little heart desired.

He has long since forgotten the night that his biological father left him with no heat on a cold night, his mother having to be gone only to return to him sick.

He only remembers meeting his papa, happy to be free from the pain that had taken hold of his mind and didn't leave him.

Now here he was, his small hands fisting into the red shirt and cooing softly.

Under the fabric, Inosuke noticed that it felt warm, warmer than it had been. The heart that lulls him to sleep is rhythmic in its beats.

In his dreams, Inosuke would whimper for there was a monster his papa didn't take care of so easily.

A man in dark attire and red eyes like blood. Inosuke didn't like the man. He had been worse than his father when it came to not caring for his mother or him.

Inosuke can only hope his papa will keep the bad man away so he can be loved by Mama and Papa.

Then he can try even more delicious food when he's older and has a bigger stomach.