Miko

Her humming harmonized with a higher tone and she startled. A laugh that was not her own echoed around her. She looked to the mouth of the cave to find a person crouched there, a sheepish grin on their face.

“I’m sorry,” they chuckled, “I didn’t mean to frighten you. I heard your music and I couldn’t help but join in. The acoustics in there are surprisingly good. I could hear you from the water.

“I see.” Tamayo answered stiffly. She didn’t want to come of as rude, but the warmth radiating from the person even with the distance between them promised, hot, delicious blood and tender flesh. Having not eaten in two months, she did not want to entertain the temptation for long.

“Well, you carry on and don’t mind me. I’m just gathering some wild onions and mushrooms around the water. I just wanted to stop by and tell whoever was sitting in here that they had a very pretty voice.”

“Thank you.” Tamayo blushed.

The stranger smiled and stood up again, stretching noisily. They walked back down the path until they were level with the opening of the cave and turned to give Tamayo a friendly wave before continuing on.

Tamayo felt strange for staring, but there wasn’t much more to do while waiting for the sun to set. She watched the stranger return to their basket and bunch up the clothing around their legs so they could wade in the pond and sort through the vegetation.

She traced their form and watched them work, smiling when they got excited about a larger than average onion or found an unexpected tuber they didn’t expect to find so close to the water’s edge. She even had to suppress a giggle when they slipped on something below the water’s surface and fell in, their basket and raised forearms the only thing they managed to keep out of the water they were now fully sat in. They didn’t let that bother them though, they simply put their basket back on the shore and rung out their clothes before beginning their hunt for mushrooms.

Tamayo wasn’t sure when she had begun humming again, but it felt appropriate so she continued. Watching this person go about their day in the warmth of the sun that caressed them so gently, it made her feel warm as well. Surely, she thought, they must be quite a special person. She mentally wished them the best, hoping that brightness would never be tainted or broken as long as they lived.

As she watched them toss mushroom upon mushroom into their basket, Tamayo’s eyes closed and she committed the moment to memory. Something more she could think back on when the road got too lonely or the weather too brutal or the hunger too consuming.

She could feel the light from the cave’s entrance fading, the light behind her eyelids withdrew, leaving her in darkness rather than a film of pinkish orange. The environment was quieter now, so dusk couldn’t take much longer to fall.

Her eyes blinked open and she looked out upon the water. The person who had been gathering there and their basket were nowhere in sight. They must have gone home while Tamayo was resting her eyes. Good for them, it was dangerous at night anyway. Though she was a bit disappointed despite it.

As the last rays of sunlight fell below the horizon, Tamayo scooted out of the cave. Her plan was to keep trekking on until she made it to Tokyo and then she would try building a semblance of a life there.

She rejoined the footpath and continued in the direction she was heading the night before and nearly forty-five minutes into her walk, she heard a rustle and a pained grunt that sounded like it came from the brambles in the ravine below.

Curiously, Tamayo peered over the side of the eroded trail, a loose pebble she kicked free tumbled down below with a quiet rattle.

“Oh thank the gods, is someone there?”

A scratched up hand popped up from the brambles, making Tamayo jump.

“Are you hurt?” Tamayo called, wringing her hands together. She really should keep going until the next village popped up and have them deal with it, but who knew what kind of demons were already lurking around for their next meal?

“Mostly just stuck I think. This is so aggravating! If you could slide down carefully, you might find my hunting knife and cut through some of this stuff.”

Tamayo did as instructed, inelegantly sliding down the incline on her butt until she got to the bottom. She caught a glint of the knife in a nearby bush and snatched it up, carving a path to the hand still sticking up into the air.

“Oh, hey! It’s you!” The voice from the brambles exclaimed, “You’re a real life saver, Miss Musical Cave Dweller!”

Tamayo freed the scratched up gatherer, baffled that they could still look so happy despite the awful spill they took however long ago.

“…You’re welcome. What happened, if I may ask?”

“Walked too close to the edge I guess. Ground broke right out from under me.”

“Are you sure you’re alright?” Tamayo swallowed. The smell of the human’s blood was sweet and very alluring.

“I’m good. My basket has seen better days through.” They sighed, retrieving the crushed basket from the brambles. “Aww, my mushrooms are, well, mush.” They chuckled warmly, giving Tamayo goosebumps.

“I’m sorry to hear that. I wish you luck on the rest of your journey home.” Tamayo turned and looked back up at the steep hill she would have to crawl up and sighed inwardly. It would not be a very lady-like climb.

“Don’t worry about climbing back out that way. The ground will even out eventually. You are going this direction, right?” They pointed.

Tamayo nodded hesitantly and the gatherer smiled, ushering her along. “Great! I’ll lead the way then. This is actually really good. Safety in numbers and all that. Oh! I’m (Y/n) by the way.”

“Tamayo.” The fugitive found herself sharing without thinking.

“Tamayo-san, a beautiful name for a beautiful woman.” (Y/n) complimented seriously. While Tamayo’s cheeks burned at the notion, (Y/n) continued onward. “I trust you live nearby, it’s a little late to have been planning to walk around the woods by yourself.”

“Yes, I live nearby.” Tamayo lied. It would only complicate things if she came off as a young, homeless woman with nowhere to go.

(Y/n) gave her a curious look, but kept whatever they were wondering to themself. They guided Tamayo out of the ravine and they walked until the stars were visible in the sky.

“How much further?” (Y/n) asked casually as they walked on, giving Tamayo pause.

“Pardon?”

“You said you lived around here. I just want to see you get home safe before I head home too.”

“Um,” Tamayo blinked rapidly as her mind raced for a plausible excuse, but kept coming up empty, “um…”

“Hey, it’s okay.” (Y/n) spoke softly, “I shouldn’t have put you on the spot like that, I’m sorry. It’s just… you seem like you could use some help.”

Tamayo looked away and pressed the back of her hand to her lips in an attempt to keep her emotions in check. (Y/n) was trying to look out for her. Her, a demon so underserving. A hand gently rested upon her back.

“You look tired and worn. When was the last time you had a hot bath or slept in an actual bed? Had a good meal?”

Tamayo shuddered and pulled away from (Y/n)’s touch. The offer was tempting too, tempting, but (Y/n) didn’t know what they were inviting into their home. It would be unfair to take advantage of their kindness.

“I won’t make you spend the night, but come clean up and take some supplies for your journey at least.” (Y/n) persuaded.

The wind blew and carried the scent of (Y/n)’s blood towards Tamayo and she broke.

“Okay… thank you.”

“No problem, come on. We’ll only have to back track a little bit.”

Tamayo followed after (Y/n) and felt a sense of guilt wash over her. She wouldn’t kill them. She promised herself after she escaped Muzan that she would never kill again, but she was so hungry… she would wait until (Y/n) was asleep, take just enough blood to take the edge off and then leave.

“Alright, come on in. It’s not much, but it’s home.”

“It’s cozy. Homey.” Tamayo looked around and hummed appreciatively though she may have been a bit biased after being on the road for so long. It was nice. “Do you live alone?”

“Yup! Just me. Well, and Chachamaru of course.”

“Chachamaru?”

“Mow.”

Tamayo looked down to find a small kitten rubbing its sides on her ankles. She knelt down instantly to give the kitten’s fur gentle pats, cooing softly when it rolled onto its back.

“Sweet thing, isn’t he? I found him alone in the rain a couple weeks ago. I’ll get the bath ready while you two get acquainted.” (Y/n) watched the cute scene a moment more before ducking out of the room.

When (Y/n) returned, they guided Tamayo to the bath and told her to take her time before leaving her alone. Tamayo relished in the hot water, silently berating herself simultaneously. She didn’t feel she deserved this kindness being bestowed upon her. (Y/n) even set out a fresh kimono for her with a lovely red floral pattern against a deep blue. She put it on, and stepped out of the bathroom to find (Y/n).

“In here.” They called out to her.

She followed their voice, and the faint scent of blood, and found them setting up dinner. She thanked them and ate what she could stomach, wishing that the lovingly made food would do anything to stop the hunger she possessed.

She insisted on doing the dishes and when she saw (Y/n) struggling to clean their cuts, she helped them with that too. It was the very least she could do, and she really meant least.

“(Y/n)-san, if it really isn’t too much, I would appreciate it if I could stay the night.”

“Of course you can. Let me set up a room for you quick. You must be exhausted.”

Tamayo barely managed to keep her smile in place long enough for (Y/n) to leave the room. She looked down at Chachamaru and pet the kitten’s soft fur in an attempt to ease her nerves.

(Y/n) showed her to her room, bid her goodnight, and then left to go to their own room.

Tamayo laid in the dark, honing in on the sound of (Y/n)’s heart from across the hall. When it slowed in a manner indicating sleep, Tamayo forced herself out from beneath the soft comforter and crept out into the hall. She slowly slid the door to (Y/n)’s room open and knelt at their side. She took (Y/n)’s arm in her hand and leaned in, carefully reopening one of the small cuts she had cleaned only a few hours before.

“I’m sorry.” She whispered before her lips moved in for a taste. It would take some time to feed from a cut so small, but Tamayo had to pace herself in fear that she would go too far. She was still getting use to life outside of Muzan’s control.

“As long as you’re being careful, I don’t mind.”

Tamayo ripped herself away from (Y/n) in a heartbeat, not stopping until her back hit the wall. Before she could try to scramble away with several apologies falling from her lips, (Y/n) called after her.

“You don’t have to be scared it’s alright. I wasn’t really expecting this, but it’s okay!”

Asking a demon to not be afraid of a defenseless human? It was laughable! Not to mention completely backwards. She should have been telling them that, but it would be a lie. Who wouldn’t be scared of being snacked on by a demon?

“Tamayo-san, hey, it’s okay, just breathe.” (Y/n) made their approach, slowly sliding towards her on hands and knees.

“I’m sorry. I— I’m sorry!“

“Try to relax. I’m not upset with you.”

“How could you not be?” She rose her voice, disgusted with herself.

“You are a good person, Tamayo-san. You just need a little help.”

“I’m not.” Tamayo sobbed. “I’m not even a person!”

“Don’t say that!”

Tamayo was surprised by the sudden outburst. They sounded almost angry at the notion.

“You are a person, a kind person who hums to herself, helps strangers out of brambles and patches them up, and seems to really enjoy the company of cats.” (Y/n) scooted closer, “And that’s only what I managed to learn about you in a handful of hours. I bet you have more amazing qualities just waiting to shine through.”

“I don’t. I’m a monster.” Tamayo didn’t know what else this human needed to see to realize that much.

“The monsters are the ones that stay with him and heed his orders without a care.” They replied, surprising Tamayo.

“You know what I am? You know of…” She was still uneasy with speaking Muzan’s name though she had broken the curse. Even thinking of him weighed heavily on her mind.

“I tried becoming a demon slayer for a time. I wasn’t cut out for it. Even Kakushi work didn’t seem possible for me I’m afraid. I was always pretty good at sensing demons though.” They explained. “You threw me for a loop honestly. I hadn’t sensed a demon like you before. No bloodlust or sinister intentions. I wasn’t even completely sure you were one until just now.”

“I’m sorry to say your senses were wrong about me. The reason I had decided to spend the night was nothing but sinister.”

“Demon’s don’t often care to be as gentle and life preserving as you were, in case you forgot. It’s a hunger that you cannot erase, and it’s not exactly an easy thing to ask someone for. I don’t think I could blame you for that.”

Tamayo simply couldn’t understand this person’s kindness towards her. A person who had attempted to become a demon slayer no less. (Y/n) brought their arm to her face, causing Tamayo to look away in shame.

“You need to feed. You might really hurt someone if you don’t.”

She didn’t want too, but they were right. She had put off gaining nutrients for too long already. Slowly, she turned.

“I’m sorry.”

“I know. It’s okay, take what you need.”

Tamayo didn’t need more persuasion and she loathed that. She took the offered arm, lapped up the streak that had fallen in her absence and then finally latched on to the small wound.

(Y/n) jerked a bit, but when Tamayo’s eyes darted up to meet theirs, they reassured her to keep going. Though Tamayo still felt hunger gnawing at her, she pulled away when she knew she had taken more than her fair share. She didn’t want to take too much and make (Y/n) pass out.

When (Y/n) began to take their arm back Tamayo kept the limb in a gentle, yet firm hold.

“Let me clean this, it’s the least I can do.”

“Thank you.”

It amazed Tamayo how they still managed to smile so brightly at her despite everything. She ducked her head down and darted out of the bedroom to retrieve the necessary supplies.

“You are really good at this.” (Y/n) praised as Tamayo tied off the wrappings.

“When you live as long as I have, you pick up on things.” She replied sullenly. She felt awful. How was she possibly going to settle down anywhere with these cravings? She would have to aimlessly wander the country until the world ended.

She had already overstayed her welcome here, but daylight would soon be upon her again. She didn’t know if there would be enough time to make it back to the cave for the day. Nevertheless she said,

“I should take my leave now.”

Before she could even take a step in the direction of the door, (Y/n) took her by the hand.

“You should stay. Daylight isn’t far off. Besides, you need a game plan.”

“Game plan?”

“You don’t want to wander around for eternity, right? If you want to find a place to settle down, you need the tools to make it happen.”

“I don’t think I’ll be suited for such a life as I am. Pardon me for saying, but it won’t matter what tools I have at my disposal.”

“And pardon me for saying this, but I think you’re wrong.” (Y/n) said with a conspiratorial smile. “I believe you have more power than you think.”

As it would turn out, there was much more to (Y/n) than what met the eye. They showed Tamayo to a secret passage below the reinforced floor of an unassuming closet and led her to a small laboratory tightly packed with books and supplies. Some piles even reached the ceiling of the tight space.

“Sorry for the mess, not a lot of room down here, but I wanted to have a space that wouldn’t be easy to find or destroy.”

“What is all of this?”

“A few years ago, my family was slaughtered by a demon. That demon being a family friend who we had tried to shelter. He lasted about three months without blood before he lost himself and killed everyone.”

“I’m so sorry.” Tamayo gasped behind a dainty hand. So much pain, yet they still wished to help her. It was a lot to take in.

“It was awful. He remembered himself after the frenzy he went into. When I got home, he stayed only long enough to apologize and stepped out into the sun.”

Tamayo shivered.

“I didn’t know what to do with myself. I was so angry and heart broken. So, I tried to join the demon slayers, the Kakushi, but as I told you before it didn’t pan out. I felt as if they had forgotten that demons were humans once too. I thought my time would be better suited trying to find a cure than spending time trying to eradicate a continuously growing problem.”

“A cure?” Tamayo marveled. She hadn’t even considered the possibility. If medicine had changed Muzan’s body, surely another could change it again.

“I have nothing substantial yet. I must admit, I’m not much of a scientist, but I have compiled a lot of research on the matter. Whatever you might know about Kibutsuji could provide useful too. You seem to have a knack for medicine as well.”

“I’ve dabbled over the years…” Tamayo modestly replied. She had been interested in medicine even before she had became a demon. (Y/n) seemed to notice the downplay and an amused huff of air left their nose.

“Okay Doctor Tamayo, let me give you a tour.”

***

Twenty Years Later

Tamayo hummed to herself as she warmed the tea when a furry body brushed against her ankles.

“Good Morning Chachamaru,” she smiled, bending down to pet the cat, “Is our (Y/n) waking up too?”

“Mow.”

“Morning.” (Y/n) spoke through a yawn. When Tamayo rose back to her full height, they draped their arms over Tamayo’s shoulders and kissed her forehead, making blush. She still wasn’t used to their displays of affection.

“Good morning, I made tea and miso.”

“I see, thank you very much. It’s so cold today.” They yawned again and snuggled closer, making Tamayo laugh.

They had come so far in those twenty short years. They felt like a blink in time for Tamayo and in a way, they were. In those years, she stayed as untouched by time as usual while (Y/n) grew older. It made her envious as well as concerned.

They still hadn’t made much headway in finding a cure. It weighed on Tamayo sometimes to watch (Y/n) grow older while she stayed the same.

“You’re thinking I’m old again, aren’t you?” (Y/n) pouted, squeezing Tamayo’s cheeks.

“No…” Tamayo could never tell (Y/n) a convincing lie to save her life.

“What was my hardworking doctor working on last night I wonder.” They noticed the sheepish look on Tamayo’s face and kissed her cheek. “You wouldn’t have to worry about me leaving you behind if you focused on the cure over trying to find out how to turn me into a demon.”

“I know, but I’m so much closer with understanding the science of demonification. I was able to turn Chachamaru after all. He’s as spry as he was when he was a kitten.”

“Okay, I’m older but I’m not hobbled old cat old.” (Y/n) joked. “I think I’ve got another good forty or fifty years in me.”

They then saw a sorrowful look cross Tamayo’s face and they held her closer, letting her bury her face in their shoulder.

“It’ll be alright,” they comforted, “Even if I don’t see the day a cure is developed. You keep working hard, okay?”

“I don’t think I could do it without you. I really don’t.” Tamayo sniffled, “I’ve already had to lose so much. I don’t want to lose you too,” she pulled back slightly, “If I do figure out how to turn humans, would you let me?”

“Then who would you get your blood from? Where would I?”

“We’d go to Tokyo like we talked about and buy blood under the guise of using it for transfusions. There are more opportunities in the city, as you’ve said. Perhaps we’d learn more there than we could here. There is so much innovation in the cities, I’m sure we could find something.” Tamayo spoke passionately, (Y/n) watched her continue reasoning with adoration until they motioned her to quiet herself.

“If you do figure it out, as I am sure you will my clever doctor, then I won’t leave your side for as long as the earth spins. We both know what it’s like to lose all too well. For you, I will stay if that is what you desire.”

“Of course.” Tamayo squeezed (Y/n) tight. A life as a demon was a lot to ask someone for. She would take full responsibility. Should the time come that they would pass on, she would take any repercussions for her choices with her head held high. “Thank you.”

Tamayo’s gaze shifted shyly between their lips and eyes, a cautious and silent question that was soon answered when they closed the distance between them.

Tamayo would figure out how Muzan spread his disease and how to destroy it one day, but for this morning all she wanted was to be held and fantasize about a normal life with (Y/n) a little while longer.

“(Y/n)! Good morning, or good night, rather. How are you? Did you sleep well?” Tamayo stammered, worrying her fingers between the sheets.

“I slept wonderfully. How about you, were you able to sleep through the day?” They asked, threading their fingers through Tamayo’s busy ones.

“Mhm!” Tamayo smiled shyly, her undead heart felt like it might burst from her chest.

“I’m happy to hear that.” (Y/n) grinned and snuggled up to Tamayo for a minute and reveled in the smoothness of her skin. Then with a reluctant sigh, they sat up and stretched while Tamayo watched them intently.

“We should probably get dressed soon or Yushirou will get grumpy.” They moved to get up, but Tamayo latched onto them and dragged them back to the sheets, hovering over them with her bottom lip clenched in her teeth again.

“I- I would like to kiss you first, if that is all right with you.” She asked, looking everywhere except at the human below her.

(Y/n)’s eyes twinkled with mirth and they reached up to caress Tamayo’s face and bring her full attention upon them.

“I would like that very much.” They pulled her down until their noses brushed and they were staring at each other through half lidded eyes. “What are you waiting for?” They whispered.

It was the last push Tamayo needed to close the distance. Her kisses were needy, but very gentle. She would feel awful if she accidentally drew blood with her sharp fangs. She shivered as her partner’s hands weaved through her hair and tugged her closer. Tamayo moved to deepen the kiss when a pitiful scratching came from the other side of the room, making her and (Y/n) pull apart and look to the door. Even (Y/n)’s labored breathing as they caught their breath couldn’t obscure Yushirou’s languishing whines.

“Yushirou, what did I tell you about moping at the door?” Tamayo sighed.

“When are you coming back?” He bemoaned, pawing at the door.

“Yushirou, really now,” (Y/n) sat up, “you’re acting like Chachamaru when he’s hungry. We will be out in a few minutes.”

“No one’s talking to you, human!” He jeered.

“Yushirou,” Tamayo called in her no nonsense tone, “that’s quite enough. Go put together a supply list for when we go to the night market. We will join you shortly.”

“Yes Tamayo-sama…”

Yushirou’s dejected footsteps could be heard thumping heavily down the hall and once he was well on his way, (Y/n) and Tamayo sighed and collapsed back into the futon.

“We better get ready.” (Y/n) restated, kissing the corner of Tamayo’s lips.

“I don’t want to.” Tamayo said, pouting in a very un-Tamayo like manner.

“Ah, but we must!” (Y/n) got up and pulled Tamayo to her feet, “Come my darling, the night is young.”

As Tamayo got dressed and fixed her hair, she found herself excited for the dawn of each day in a way that she hadn’t experienced since she was human herself. As long as she could sleep beside, and wake up with (Y/n), her curse of immortality didn’t seem too awful.

“Ready?” (Y/n) asked as they gave themself a quick once over in the mirror.