Spider Lily

°•~Chapter 8~•°

Natsuki woke up after having a bad dream and saw Mitsuri asleep. She slowly got off the bed and went downstairs, feeling a bit hungry. As she sat down with her food, Muichiro burst into the kitchen, startling Natsuki and making her hurt her wound.

"Oh, sorry, Natsuki," he said as he was about to go to her side he stopped.

"I'm fine," she replied, trying to sound dismissive.

They looked at each other for a few seconds. Muichiro, reminded of why he was  his throat.  "Natsuki... we need to talk," he said.

"What's wrong?" she asked, her guard back up.

"I heard the demons talking about you. They said you know where the Blue Spider Lilies are. Why didn't you tell us?" he asked, his voice a mix of frustration and concern.

"Muichiro, I... I really don't know where they are," she said, meeting his gaze, her eyes full of confusion.

"Don't lie to me," he said, slamming his hands on the table, the sound echoing in the quiet kitchen.

She just stares at him. "I'm not lying," she said quietly.

Muichiro took a deep breath. "Natsuki, why were the demons talking about you? Why were Kokushibo and Doma planning on finding you?" he demanded.

Natsuki's eyes widened. "Ko... Kokushibo?" she whispered, her cold demeanor briefly cracking.

"Yes, Kokushibo and Doma. They were talking about you, saying You know something. Why would they think that?" he asked, his voice softer now.

Natsuki looked away. "I don't know. Maybe they think I know more than I do. Or maybe they're just trying to mess with us," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Muichiro stepped closer, his concern for her overriding his usual detachment. "Natsuki, if there's anything you know, anything at all, you need to tell us. We can protect you, but we need to know what we're up against," he said, his hand hovering near her shoulder, unsure if he should reach out.

Natsuki glanced at his hand, then back at his face. "I appreciate your concern, Muichiro, but I'm telling you the truth. I don't know where the Blue Spider Lilies are," she said, her voice steadier now.

Muichiro nodded slowly, still not entirely convinced but unwilling to push her further. "Alright. But if you remember anything, anything at all, promise me you'll tell me," he said, his voice softening further.

"I promise," Natsuki replied, a faint smile touching her lips for just a moment before her usual cold demeanor returned.

They stood there in silence, the tension between them obvious, both hiding the feelings they were not yet ready to confront.

---

Muichiro and Natsuki were startled by someone walking into the kitchen—it was Zenitsu and Inosuke.

"I'm so hungry," Zenitsu said to Inosuke without even noticing Muichiro and Natsuki.

"Matsuki, where are the spider lilies?" Inosuke demanded, his voice loud.

Natsuki rolled her eyes. "I don't know where they are, and my name is Natsuki!" she snapped.

Muichiro looked at Inosuke, trying to stay calm. "I already questioned her. She knows nothing."

"How can you be sure she's not lying?" Inosuke challenged, his eyes glaring with suspicion.

Muichiro narrowed his eyes but kept quiet, unwilling to let the argument escalate.

Zenitsu, oblivious to the tension, set some food on the table and called Inosuke over. "Come on, Inosuke. Let's eat."

Muichiro, feeling irritated by the whole situation leaves the kitchen. Natsuki finished her meal quickly, eager to escape the awkward atmosphere, and soon followed him.

---

Outside, Natsuki found Muichiro standing in the garden, the evening breeze ruffling his hair. She approached him, her footsteps soft on the grass.

"Muichiro," she began, her voice hesitant. "I need to tell you something."

He looked at her, his expression guarded but curious.

"Everyone knows that Kokushibo used Moon Breathing," Natsuki continued. "And you know how I've been questioned for using Moon Breathing. It's true that I knew Kokushibo... we were so close. He was my mentor."

Muichiro's eyes widened in shock. "Why would a demon be your mentor?"

"It was before he became a demon," Natsuki explained, looking down. "I never liked Sun Breathing. I admired Moon Breathing, and Kokushibo took me in after my parents died. He was there for me and taught me the way of Moon Breathing. But he made me do a lot of bad things. Things that I regret and that I can't even talk about."

Muichiro furrowed his brow, struggling to process her words. "But... how could someone who became such a monster have been your mentor? It doesn't make sense."

"It was before he became a demon, before he lost his humanity," Natsuki repeated, her voice tinged with sadness. "I saw a different side of him, a side that cared. But when he chose to become a demon, I couldn't follow him. I left because I couldn't bear the guilt and the things he made me do."

Muichiro shook his head and spoke. "But why didn't you tell anyone? Why keep it a secret?"

"Because it's not something I'm proud of," Natsuki admitted, her voice breaking slightly. "I wanted to leave that part of my life behind and focus on protecting people, not being haunted by my past."

Muichiro's expression softened, though confusion still lingered. "Natsuki, I believe you want to do good. But it's hard to understand how someone like Kokushibo could have ever been a mentor. "

"I know," Natsuki said, meeting his gaze. "But things have changed I am a demon slayer and I may not be able to change the past but I will make sure that the future is different,"

Muichiro took a deep breath, "I trust that you will keep to your word."

Natsuki gave him a faint smile. "Thank you for understanding and I really am sorry for not telling you sooner,"

Muichiro gives her a reassuring smile "one more thing so does this mean you know where the Lilies are," Natsuki shakes her head. "Sorry I wish I knew but I don't,"

He sighs "Ok well you should get back to bed,"