Guilty Pleasures (Reader x Various lemons)

Village Treasures (Kuronue)

You've heard stories of demons coming to human villages in the night, robbing them of their belongings and innocence, only to feast upon their flesh until none was left. Stories are generally sprinkled with bits of fact, or in this case, news from a neighboring village. Every man, woman, and child in your village barricades any possible entry with whatever they had. Your village was next. What the demons wanted, you hadn't the foggiest, but once thing for certain, if your village was next, well, buck up or die.

Somberly, you helped your family put up wards from the local monks. It plagues your thoughts, what the outcome would be if the neighboring village had them too. Or, what if they had? Humans are helpless against demons; perhaps someday a barrier will keep the two worlds apart, or maybe demons will live in harmony with humans. Until then, humans will have to survive, and if they can survive, they can thrive. That's all you could do.

So, after the whole village scrambled about to get ready for the incoming invasion, your village's elder emerges, and as always, ready to calm the masses. "My people, demon activity has increased, but we will not give in! Those vile creatures will not drain our recourses, or our existance! We we will emerge victorious!" While most of the villagers cheered, you on the other hand remain somber about the idea.

You see, rumor had it that these were no ordinary demons. The ordinary demons, usually attack humans to feed upon their flesh or for sadistic reasons. These ones however, seem to be looking for something, some sort of treasure. Remaining positive is one thing, being blind to the real issue is another. Was the elder prepared to sacrifice your people, just to keep some stupid object in his possession? Apparently so.

As night begins to approach, your village hushed down for the evening like usual, with five of your bravest and strongest men were awake and walked through the streets on patrol. A heavy fog of unspeakable tension enveloped your home, as everyone would have to wait out the nights, as long as it took for this to end. You walked into your hut, to see your mother doubling over in pain, as she attempted to get back onto her feet. Quickly, you rushed to her side and hoisted her up.

"Mother, are you ok? What happened?" you sit her up, allowing her to put her weight onto your shoulder. She coughs into her palm, shaking her head.

"I-I'm fine. I was getting some water." Your eyes soften, but once you looked into her bloodstained palm from where she just coughed, you give her hard look.

"You are not fine! You should've waited until I got back, or sent someone for me." Your mother forces a smile, as she reaches to cup your cheek with her non-bloodied palm.

"Please, don't chastise me for what little independence I have. Besides, I'm not that helpless." she says weakly. As if your heart couldn't shatter anymore than it had. Fighting back tears, you help your mother back into bed, and tucked her back in. You hated it, you absolutely whole heartedly hated it with every fiber in your being. Out of everyone in the village, your mother was the one who contracted a deadly disease. The town monk gave her less than a year, and with medicines to ease her pain became harder and harder to find, she had even less.

Sitting at her bed side, you looked over and shook your head, as all the water in your home has been spilled onto the floor. Getting up, you used a dirty cloth to wipe it up, then tossing it back to the corner. "I'll get you some water mother, please stay put." You mother sits up.

"But it's late, there are demons lurking around this region. You need to stay-"she abruptly coughs again, more blood splattering into her palm. Pushing your tears back, you hoped up and made your way out of your hut.

"I'll be fine! You just need to be focused on getting better, ok?" you call back, before leaving your hut with a bucket next to the door.

Walking through the forest's thicket at night was a death wish for humans, as only the brave and stupid would think this was a good idea. Your determination was stronger than the fear that made your knees buckle with every step. Luckily, the stream was just on the outskirts of the village and only thirty minutes away by foot. Over on the other side of a steep hill and past four giant boulders that made a makeshift shrine to the local spirits, and there it was, glistening in the full moon's glow.