Who's in Control

Chapter 10

As a Kizuki, it was his duty to manage the demons in the territory given to him. Though he doesn't take it as seriously as he should.

"So you saying a pack of ferals roam here?" Tanjuro nodded as Douma walked with him, going to his mountain home to get the last of his family's belongings. The man was feeling well enough after a few days of rest in a home that had all he could ever ask for.

"Well as a companion to my Kotoha-chan, I'll take care of them for you." The demon grinned and before the frail man knew it the demon was gone.

When the demon does return, his golden fans closing he would find Tanjuro opening a box. His curiosity got the better of him, getting closer and-

A flash of a man in a red kimono comes to mind.

Douma blinks his eyes, tilting his head as he watches Tanjuro put on Hanfuda earrings. Any other low-ranking demon would have freaked out but Douma doesn't much care for fear. Nothing fazed him like that except when it concerned his songbird.

Hmmmm....Maybe he'll ask the man not to wear those earrings around his master should he visit when his child is born.
—
"Have you thought of a name?" Tanjiro was sleeping in his mother's arms when she asked the question. Kotoha was letting her feet soak in the pond that lays in the garden. The lotuses were withering as the months entered winter.

But the cold waters felt great on her sore ankles.

"No...I haven't put much thought into it." To be honest, she didn't think she would get this far in life. The likelihood increased after reaching late twenties, when demons thought humans less tasty. She thought some demon would find her delicious. Instead, she got sold by-

She kicks at the water.

It's best not to think about how she ended up in the auction. The auction that led her to being chosen by Douma. The demon that had learned to regret.

Now here she was, having a child with said demon.

"It's not something I really thought about. All I have been calling him is Chibi." Kie laughs and Tanjiro wakes briefly before snuggling back into his mother's kimono.

"Him you say? You think the baby will be a boy?" Kotoha smiled and remembered Douma having knelt close to her belly, sniffing. He had grinned as the baby kicked his palm.

"He's active. I'll have my work cut out for me." Douma had looked up at her, his eyes colorful before noticing her crying.

"Awww, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to tell-" Kotoha had hugged him close and Douma got a kick from the womb. The demon couldn't help but purr for the rest of the time, letting the unborn to kick him.

"Douma told me it was going to be a boy on accident."

Kie smiles with her before looking down at her own child.

"Do you think your boy will look like him?" Kotoha shakes her head.

"No, Douma has said he rather our child not look like him."

It was one night when Douma talked about times before demons ruled. An age quickly forgotten as the oldest elder was only but a child when demons first came to rule. Now humans would have to search for records or learn from others about stories of before.

Douma talked about his parents started a cult, making him the centerpiece. Him being a false prophet of Buddhism and telling how he would show his followers to paradise by killing them. Devouring their bodies.

His hand would wipe her tears as he told more about his lack of childhood. But her tears dried up by the time he got to the demon life he now has.

"Don't worry Kotoha-chan, I became a demon and now I'm here with you!" He would hug her after that. His hand would land on her belly, where their son kicked. "I would prefer he only gets your looks. Mine aren't worth the trouble."

She still thought his blonde hair was better than hers. His eyes certainly outshined hers but he had gone into a series of poems, telling of her beauty, natural compared to his and that's why he wanted that for their son.

She kicks the water once more, only now feeling the numbness of the cold.

"Hopefully I'll think of something."
—

Another Sake bath later and soon Kotoha was soaking with Douma playing with her hair.

"Douma?" The demon is quick to answer. His head came to hover and his arms gently held her, like she was going to break at any moment.

"Yes?" Those colorful eyes scan her, trying to find if anything was wrong but his worries were for not.

"I need help picking a name." Douma tilted his head, thinking for a moment.

"Akira?" Kotoha shakes her head.

"Too common and something tells me he'll have too much energy. I won't be able to call for him without gaining the attention of others." Douma laughs at her explanation and leans back against the lid of the tub.

"Hmmmm how about a name ending in Suke?" Kotoha takes hold of one of his hands, entangling their fingers, careful of his claws.

"That could work." They were having a boy.

Douma with his free hand started sounding off names.

"Daisuke, Hansuke, Kosuke, Yosuke, Sasuke-" He rattles on and his wife shakes her head every few names. The demons agree, none seem to fit their active son.

He was to be the first half-demon in history and to get a name like Sasuke-

Makes Douma want to gag but he still threw it out for Kotoha to add to her list.

"Douma, is there a celebration from before?" Douma thought for a moment.

"The land we live on once freely celebrated the new year. Juunishi-" Douma went on to explain the zodiacs. "I think this year is the year of the boar."

They are still for a bit after that. His wife surely thinking. Then she was shifting in his arms.With both their hands still together, Kotoha settles them on her belly.

"Inosuke."

Douma can't help but grin when their son kicks. He leans in, setting his chin on her shoulder.

"Oh, is your name Inosuke?" Another kick happened and Douma chuckled.

He kisses Kotoha on the cheek and holds her for a while longer.

Inosuke, their son, would be joining them soon.