Douma's obsession - Demon Slayer fanfiction

New mission

"Happy to see me again, little one?"

Miri tried to sit up when a sharp pain shot through her stomach again and she curled to the side. "Woah, not so fast, let me help you," Douma says quickly, pulling her up carefully. She flips her blanket aside and inspects the bandage around her stomach. "What?" she stares from the injury to Douma in disbelief.

Then the memories flooded over her. The shower, the trip to the village, Giyu's confession... and Nora. For Miri, the incident felt more like a distant, almost forgotten dream, yet a piercing pain reminded her of it with every movement she made. How was she still alive? Douma shifted on the bed to sit right next to her.

"You're still at my place, Giyuu brought you here..." he explained in a soft voice, tilting his head to one side. "How is the pain? Honestly, it looked so bad, we thought you were going to die." Miri sinks back into a huge pillow that seems to swallow her whole and sighs. "It could be better...but nothing I can't handle..." she rasps and even forces a little smile. Douma was so sweet and understanding right now... "Good," he approves and pulls the blanket back over her body.

"Why are you acting so... strange?" she whispers more to herself. He stops and listens up, his eyes darkening with amusement. "Hmm...you mean nice, like a proper human being?" Slowly, he leans closer to her, his hair tickling her skin. His lips hover just a hair's breadth from hers as his one hand slips into her hair. Miri nods quickly, her breath catching in her throat. Was he going to kiss her?

"Perhaps I should remind you of what I am then..." he hums as he grips her hair tightly, pulling her head back to expose her neck. She swallows hard, unable to move. When Douma's tongue licks a sensitive spot on her jaw, she gasps in surprise and leans into him. His touch sends shivers down her skin, it is so intoxicating! The next moment his tongue is gone and she hears him chuckle close to her ear. "I always knew you liked the bad boys," he whispers and leans back again, abruptly leaving her space.

Miri's skin burns and she glares at him. He was so smug! And the worst part was that he read her like a book. It's not like she chose to be attracted to him...

"Your cult is a bunch of pretty brain damaged people, you know that?" she tries to change the subject. She didn't want to deal with his flirtatious mood at the moment. "I know...but don't worry, I'm going to resolve it. All of it." He answers, bringing a hand up to scratch his neck uncomfortably.

"And by resolve you mean what...kill?" Miri tried to find out, thinking of the worst case scenario. A long silence followed her question, confirming her suspicion. "Douma... not," she added firmly, reaching for his arm. These people didn't deserve to die, no matter how delusional they were. His rainbow eyes bore straight into hers. "I can spare the rest of them...but SHE will pay," he promised darkly, in a way that allowed no protest.

And there he was again. The murderous, terrifying Douma. Only this time his killing served a purpose: revenge for Miri, the only person who meant something to him. Before Miri could react to his bad intentions, the door opened again and Giyuu entered the room.

His eyebrows raise in excitement when he sees her upright form. "Miri, you're awake! Here, have some water." He exclaims joyfully and hands her a glass. He plops down on the other side of the bed and she flinches when the mattress bounces up and down a little. "Heyy Giyuu, watch out!" she grimaces, trying to act over the pain. Immediately, Giyuu gets a dark look from Douma.

"Shit, sorry! But now that you're awake, you can use your breathing techniques to speed up the healing process." He reminds her. That was actually a very good idea, Miri thought and made a mental note of it. If she was lucky, she would be able to walk again in a few hours.

"That's good...we can't stay here any longer," Douma says, exchanging a knowing look with Giyuu, who nods in agreement. "What? Why?" Miri asks confused without getting any answer. Okay, so now the two of them were talking and even had secrets from her!? "Giyuu," she added vehemently.

His eyes find hers, guilt-conscious, as he speaks, "Douma and I are going to travel to the headquarters...we think that the leading group has been corrupted by some of his followers. Oh oh...this is bad...really bad..."We have to warn Mitsuri! She'll be there by now, for sure, and it's only a matter of time until they find out that we fought you all together, Douma!" Miri realizes in shock.

Douma looks down at her. "Not we...just us," he announces sternly, nodding at Giyuu. "Look at you, you're injured and as far as we know you're their top enemy. It's too dangerous...there is absolutely no chance that you will come with us". With these words, he and Giyuu turn and head for the door.

"No, wait," Miri shouts angrily and wants to follow them, but the pain holds her back. "Douma!!". He looks at her over his shoulder with an unreadable expression on his face. "No, Miri," Douma replies in a monotone voice. They couldn't leave her here! Not if Mitsuri might be in danger! She grits her teeth and slides to the edge of the bed, ignoring the fiery sting. She would come with them!

Strong ice tendrils wrap around her wrists and lock her in place. Miri glares at Douma as tears of frustration threaten to roll down her face. "Giyuu!" she tries one last time. But Giyuu just looks at her with a pained expression while his mouth forms a "sorry" before they both disappear.

Miri blinks her tears away. How could they go without her! Those stubborn idiots! She breathes out shakily and calms her heartbeat. As she closes her eyes and reaches for her concentration, the familiar energy begins to flow through her veins, warming her from the inside. Her body slowly started to recover. If there was one thing she was good at, it was the persistence with which she could focus her breathing techniques. She would soon be back on her feet.