The next morning, Shinobu stirred awake, feeling oddly comfortable. The harshness of the wilderness in the past two months had made comfort unfamiliar.
'Huh?'
Raising her head, she sat up with a startled expression—staring at the 'man' beneath her. Douma was still sound asleep, at least he was pretending to be. However, Shinobu remained oblivious.
Her cheeks burned with a light shade of pink as she realized their compromising position. She was actually straddling him, her hands resting on his firm, refined abs.
"Wha—?"
Suddenly, Douma's eyes snapped open. His snowflaked eyes locked with hers softly, a faint semblance of amusement within.
"Ohayo, Shinobu-chan..."
However, Shinobu didn't reply. She was just staring at his eyes with a dull look as if—hypnotized.
Douma had to snap his fingers before she jolted awake.
"What... was that?" She asked, startled.
"What?" Douma tilted his head, confused.
"I was in an illusion." She said, more to herself than to him.
"Oh?"
Douma raised his upper body from the bed, his hands planted firmly beside him. Suddenly realizing how close they were, Shinobu looked down, fidgeting.
"W-well, I dreamt of having a normal life and growing up with kids."
Douma's eyes shined with a cunning glint.
"With me?"
Shinobu punched his torso, then froze. She suddenly realized. She. Douma—a demon, but a man nonetheless. Had slept on the same bed.
"Hell!"
Shrieking like a startled horse, she leaped off him and hurriedly inspected herself.
"Is something wrong?" Douma asked, genuinely confused. He had become a demon at the age of twenty so he lacked the basic knowledge of romantic or intimate situations—like sharing a bed.
"Nothing." Regaining her composure once she realized she was fine, Shinobu answered coldly. "I just remembered something."
"Oh!"
Douma nodded, believing her.
Now fully awake, Shinobu stared at him with utmost seriousness.
"Now that you've become like this... what are your plans?"
He was now cut from Muzan's crew. Free and able to do what he wanted.
"Uhh, I don't know...? Anything you want. I'd like to continue running the cult though."
Douma smiled softly, sitting on his bean bag.
Suddenly, Shinobu remembered. This particular demon didn't really have a goal or motivation. In fact, she felt like he must have been quite slothful while working for Muzan.
"You? What about you?" He asked, opening and closing his fans.
Shinobu remained silent for a while, unsure of what to do. Should she try returning to the Demon Slayer Corps? Or should she just leave for another country? Or perhaps simply stay with Douma?
"I need to get stronger." She said evenly. "The fact that I forgave you doesn't mean I don't resent demons. In fact, I hate them more."
She gritted her teeth, frustration evident in her voice.
"I don't want any human having to be broken because of demons. People like Kanao, Tanjiro, Muichiro and so many others I might not even know.
Even if I no longer work under the banner of the Demon Slayers, I will ensure demons are eradicated."
Douma stared at her silently, his eyes shining with stars of admiration.
'Shinobu-chan is so... AMAZING!!!'
Smiling, his eyes flashed with a mysterious glint.
"Alright. I find your resolve intriguing. Let me help you..."
....
[Infinity Castle]
Muzan had called a meeting for the Moon Demons after receiving a shocking revelation. All the demons appeared one after another. Kokushibo, Akaza, Kaigaku, Gyutaro, Gyokko and Daki from the Upper Moons. Then Jorogumo, Kagutsuchi, Hozuki, Enenra and Kurayami from the Lower Moons.
A few moments later, Muzan appeared, his face a mask of indifference and suppressed anger.
At his appearance, all the demons bowed.
"Muzan-sama. I presume there is a pressing issue at hand. Please enlighten us." Kokushibo said grimly, his six eyes locked on the Demon Lord.
Before Muzan could speak, Enenra snickered. "Hah? Where's Oniyasha? Is he too arrogant that he is dismissing Lord Muzan's summons?"
Muzan's eyes shifted to him, then he said in an even voice. "He is dead."
Shock rippled among the demons, especially the Lower Moons. Oniyasha was the strongest among them. And he had died early.
"Was he killed by the Hashiras?" Akaza asked, eyes shining with serious intensity. Unlike before, his presence was thicker and more suffocating. The reason? His eyes now held the Kanji Two. After Douma's 'death', he had been promoted to Upper Moon Two, receiving more of Muzan's blood.
Muzan shook his head.
"No. He was killed by a demon." He allowed the revelation to sink in. "A demon we all know... Douma."
The air stilled.
"Douma?" Daki asked, her voice tinged with uncertainty.
"Impossible! He's dead. I confirmed it!" Gyokko shook his head vigorously.
Suddenly, Kokushibo spoke, his voice silencing the others.
"I understand." His eyes shifted to Muzan. "He got cut. Just like Tamayo."
Muzan nodded, agreeing with him.
"Still, why would he kill Lower Moon One? He's still one of us right?" Gyokko asked, unsure.
"Well, Oniyasha was hunting the expelled Hashira. And Douma, is protecting the expelled Hashira."
Muzan explained.
Kurayami silently whispered. "Is this a betrayal? Amusing."
His tall, lean body draped in dark cloak made his presence unnoticeable. In fact, the only part of his body visible was his yellow eyes.
"Whatever it is, I want him brought before me. Either dead or alive." Muzan growled. "I will not tolerate a second Tamayo."
Slowly, Kaigaku rose to his feet.
"Allow me, Lord Muzan." His fists clenched tightly. "I will kill him."
This was finally his chance to prove his worth.
"Kaigaku." Kokushibo called solemnly. "You underestimate the demon. Surely you have never met him before."
Kaigaku choked. It was as if Lord Kokushibo saw right through him. However, he was confident. Douma shouldn't be that strong right? After all, his strength must have reduced after losing his connection with Lord Muzan.
"No need." Muzan intervened. "Anyone who comes across him can hunt him. As long as his body is brought back to me."
Since Douma had survived the poison, he needed to study the demon's structure. Possibly, he'd find something that'd allow him to finally stand under the sun.
Silently, Akaza muttered.
"I'll kill him."