XVIII

***Kokushibou's POV***

Blood wasn't a problem for me. It's never been, even back in my demon slaying days.

I saw it as a crimson liquid, needed by humans to live.

But nothing could save me from how terrifying it looked to me in this moment.

(WARNING ⚠️:Smut and depictions of blood)

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I side-stepped the wooden sword, immediately teleporting on top of a tree.

Yoriichi followed suit, quite faster than me, and swept under my feet making me loose my balance. I still landed on the forest floor and we threw our wooden swords up, exchanging more close combat blows before stepping back and catching the swords when they were closer to the ground.

"Aniki. You're really making me break a sweat." Yoriichi grins, keeping the sharp side of his wooden blade down.

I fold my arms, sporting a look of annoyance, "Stop your flattery. We both know this is just a warm-up for you."

He chuckled, "I could say the same thing for you."

I smiled, "I see. Why don't we take it up a notch then? Seeing as we're both holding back."Mostly, he was. I knew how strong I was and I knew he was miles higher than me. Doesn't mean I can't tousle with him when needed.

**3rd POV**

Nakime watched these two men get into another stance and clash once again.

She sat on the porch of the house, enjoying the evening breeze. It was about seven o'clock in the night, she wasn't even sure how Yoriichi was still so active even now. Then again, demon slayers train their bodies to withstand long periods of fighting, especially during the night.

She had Kokushibou's sword, sheathed, in hand. While Yoriichi's was right beside her.

She had finished catering for the Yūjo lily.(Kokushibou made sure to keep Yoriichi occupied while she looked at them). She and Yoriichi were up for most of the day, keeping all the curtains shut to prevent sunlight getting in.

It marvelled her how they grew so close in under the span of a week. She was normally so introverted, it's a miracle how she even speaks to her fellow uppermoons sometimes. Yet, conversations flowed so easily with him. They'd often joke a lot and Yoriichi would reminisce of his youth days with Kokushibou, which she always loved to hear. Yoriichi would even joke about how she was his woman and not Kokushibou's, which would earn him some hits on the head but it was all fun.

Perhaps it was because he behaved quite like Kokushibou, but she felt safe with him.

Which was pretty funny, since the cells, belonging to Muzan, inside her always spiked when he was close by.She's learned to live with it.

What was leaving her shocked right now was the amount of power bustling from the two. They weren't even hitting hard, she could tell, and yet, everytime one landed a blow on the other, the forest floor would shake a little and a solid breeze whooshed past her.

Just from low sparring?

She watched quietly, marvelling at them.

The speed, the body control, precision, timing, impact.Everything was beyond her. Levels above what she could do.

Being the closest thing to Muzan as it got, she heard his strategic talking, to himself, sometimes. He never spoke of Yoriichi directly,but you would know by the way his body stiffened. But he always spoke of Kokushibou highly.

"The strongest acquisition I have..."

Now she knew...he really was better than everyone else.

She smiled to herself, feeling jealousy and admiration.

Jealousy she couldn't be as strong as he was. Admiration because she was in awe of him.

So wrapped up in her thoughts, she didn't notice Yoriichi squatting in front of her until he poked her nose.

She jumped a bit and blinked at him, seeing his cheeky grin, "Yoriichi..."

He smiled at her and pat her shoulder, "What's got you in deep thought? You missed the entire match I was showing off in."

She opened her mouth to speak but yelped as she was lifted up. Kokushibou sat down,while still holding a confused Nakime,and placed her on his laps.Yoriichi chuckled at the exchange and sat down next to his brother.

"You've evolved into the bragging type now?" Kokushibou mutters and he smiles.

"Don't worry. I only do this because I have to impress Nakime."

Kokushibou scowls a bit, glaring at Yoriichi who laughed at his reaction. Nakime couldn't help but smile.

They are so close. She couldn't help but wonder how Yoriichi was still alive. Was he a demon? She wasn't sure but the way he spoke of Muzan didn't really give him off as a demon. Then again, he could be someone Muzan held of high regard, like Kokushibou.

That would clash with the hazy memories her cells concurred everytime he was near. Her blood always ran cold, so she was still confused.(A/N: Girl, you so off track 😂)

Nakime yelped again as his grip around her waist tightened.

Yoriichi smirked, "Hey now. Give Nakime a rest. She been limping around a bit."

Nakime's face bursted red, as the blush ran down her neck even. Kokushibou only narrowed his eyes at his brother, "Shush."

Yoriichi raised his hands in defense, "Hey. I just want my sister in good condition."

"I suggest you shut the hell up if you want to be in good condition."

Yoriichi gives a sly grin, loving where this was going. Oh, he was going to milk this out, "I think I'm doing fine, aniki? What about you? You seem a little pissed."

"I honestly don't know why." Kokushibou muttered, sounding as sarcastic as ever.Nakime could only watch silently, trying her best not to whimper as Kokushibou's hands massaged her hips subtly.

Yoriichi only smirked once again, "Oh? You don't know why? But I think you know how. You're jealous aren't you?"

Nakime's eyes widened, hearing those words. Kokushibou was a man of little words, and little actions.But oh boy, did those little stuff do big things.

Yoriichi broke out into a full grin when Kokushibou frowned at him, looking throughly annoyed. He stood up and stretched, picking up his pitch black sword.

"You could burn me down with that look. I'm taking a little stroll, I'll be in our normal spot if you need me."

With a small wave, he put on his burgundy haori and left the house, giving Nakime a little good luck smile.His work there was done, he needed Kokushibou busy a while anyways.

Nakime blinked again, seeing the sweet yet cheeky smile Yoriichi gave her before walking away. She watched his retreating figure, wondering why he decided to prick Kokushibou for no reason.

She put two in two together eventually, and jumped again when Kokushibou squeezed her hips.

Oh no. This won't end well.

She looked up at him and gently cupped his cheeks, trying to calm him down.

"Koku" She smiles and his expression softens a bit. He smiled back a bit and she sighed in relief, happy to see that burning hunger in his eyes gone.(That doesn't mean she doesn't like it.)

She gently kissed his cheek and nuzzled into his hair. He smiled softly and buried his face in her chest, taking in her scent.

It always calmed him down. It did so much, he finally understood why he should have listened to his brain and not his heart when it came to taking this mission. He knew what this was, he was so weak when it came to this woman.

Nakime stroked his hair gently as she looked down at him, giggling a bit, "You look like you need to be breastfed."

His eyes narrowed at her and she laughed this time, enjoying the little frown on his face. Her smile eventually faded when his frown turned into a smirk.

"That doesn't sound too bad, you know."

And just like that, the fire in his eyes returned.

The only thing crossing her mind now was regret.Regret of her choice of words.

She couldn't even stutter out a plea as he simply stood up, with her in his arms, and picked up his sword before walking inside the house. The sky was slightly dark now, twinkles of light popping up to show that they were ready to shine in the sun's absence.

Sometimes, bigger stars need to fizzle out. And let their will be carried on to smaller stars.

*****

Nakime's eye closed shut, listening to the slower heartbeat. It was soothing, even if it took a minute before a beat was heard.

One of his hands was in her hair, running his long fingers through it while he washed it. The other was wrapped around her waist, keeping her close to decline any sort of space between them.They were in the bathroom, and Nakime had never found herself being treated so gently before.

He washed her body with care, delicateness and another emotion she couldn't point. He was always so hard to read, but she could understand him most times.

She sighed quietly when he started massaging her back.

Probably to prepare it for what was about to come.

She couldn't help but smile, opening her eye to look at him. His eyes (the pair that was open) were on her the whole time so she met his gaze.Again, that emotion she couldn't pin was what was swirling in those eyes.

It was something that made her feel like everything was okay, and she was his entire world.

Questions burned at the back of her tongue. Why was he looking at her like that? She wanted to know, she needed to.

But she also wanted to respect the things he didn't want to tell.If he hadn't told her now, then it must be something heavy.

She buried that at the back of her mind as she thought of something else that had been pricking her, and he seemed to have noticed.

"You've been looking. What is it?"

She smiled a bit, "You were looking first."

He rolled his eyes slightly, "Yes I was. Now what happened?"

She kept his gaze for a while before sighing and looking down,"Yoriichi..."

Kokushibou kept quiet, listening intently.

She looked back at him, "I know he's your brother, and a good person at heart. But that's the thing... he's a person."

Kokushibou's face remained neutral but his curiosity was piqued, wondering where she was going with this.

"He can't be alive for this long if he's a human. Muzan-sama's rants have gone back a long way, so how is he still alive?"

His brows finally creased, understanding her question.He knew she would ask this eventually. Which is why he never wanted Yoriichi to show up so unexpectedly.

He looked away for a while, before looking back at her, "You're right. He's not a demon, he's a full human."

Nakime frowned a bit, wondering how the hell he could survive for this long. The era beginning the wave of demon slayers was almost ten thousand years ago. It didn't make any sense.

Kokushibou watched her assimilate that information. He spoke again when she looked at him, "He doesn't have an age, or rather he doesn't age."

Nakime's frown increased.

How?

Yes, Yoriichi looked very young. Which added to her confusion even more.

"How?" She asks.

There is a heavy silence in the air. She narrowed her eyes when he didn't answer.

"Kokushibou."He sighed and looked anywhere but her. Why couldn't he just say it? Why did he care so much of how she would react if he told her? The matter wasn't that big.

Nakime cupped his cheeks with both of her hands, but didn't turn his head. She just wanted him to know that she was here.

Kokushibou succumbed. His neck loosened as he allowed her to turn him to look at her.

She looked genuinely concerned. For him.

He didn't understand why the look in her eyes ached him. He wanted to eradicate that look of worry in her eyes. There was a deep hatred for it.

"Yoriichi wasn't keen on the idea of me becoming a demon.."

Nakime let go of his face, dropping them and giving him her full attention.

He looked down and continued.

"He was to become a monk, because the mark he possessed as a child frightened my father. He wanted Yoriichi dead but my mother managed to convince him to place him in monkhood instead. The thing was, nobody knew how naturally gifted Yoriichi was when it came to battle. Only a selected few, including myself."

"As time went on, I hadn't heard a thing from Yoriichi.....and I felt so happy with the thought of him being dead."

Nakime continued to listen quietly, shocked with the last words he said.Happy with him being dead? They were closer than atoms in her view.

"I was only proven wrong, when he came back a decade later. He saved my family and I from a demon attack."

Nakime's eyebrows creased, concerned that he had been attacked before he even became a demon slayer. She took his hand in her little ones, making him know she was still there, all ears.

Kokushibou took in a deep breath, his voice getting low, "I hated it. I hated how he only seemed to grow in power. That was the reason why I joined the demon slayer corp."

She nodded a little, not wanting to judge.

He stared down at their linked hands, "And like that, I also grew in power, but could never catch up to him. He was always the better twin, defying all the slander he got from being a twin."(A/N: Twins were considered a bad omen in the Sengoku Era.)

"I hated it, I was filled with nothing but jealousy and envy. No matter how strong I was, he was like a meter mark I needed to reach....and he never saw me in the same light. He.... didn't bear one bad bone against me."

Her eyes widened when she felt his hands tremble. Never in her entire life or anyone else's, has there been a view of the uppermoon one showing emotion.

She gently squeezed his hand, worry written all over her face. But she knew this was heavy on him.

"He was truly...a good person. A brother I didn't deserve." Kokushibou muttered, his voice cracking a bit at the end.

"I only realized this when I had accepted Muzan-sama's offer, and many years later, I saw him again."

"I still loathed him, with every fiber of my being. But he still didn't hate me back. It was infuriating. Even as a demon, spending three gruelling days to transform, I couldn't...kill him. He took off my head in one slash."

Nakime's eyes widened for the umpteenth time that night.Yoriichi killed him??

"I was adamant... holding it in place. I knew true fear that day, because I feared I would die by his hands. But he didn't move again.....he didn't move after attacking. He just slumped down to the floor, because old age had made his body feeble."

Nakime's expression softened, realizing he had died right in front of Kokushibou.

"I was supposed to be happy....I was.But I only felt anger and fear. That anger morphed into anxiety as he didn't move an inch. I couldn't handle it, I just couldn't.."

Nakime immediately pulled him into her arms, wrapping them around him as his voice broke down. He buried his face in her neck, breathing in and trying to calm himself down. She gently stroked his hair, whispering soothing words in his ear.

Amidst that, he managed to complete,"I wanted to finish him off but I couldn't. I brought him to Muzan-sama, and though...I still don't understand why, he helped."

Nakime looked shock as he continued, explaining just how he helped and how that made Yoriichi live on.

"But now.." He mutters, holding her tighter, "He's being vague. And his words don't add up. I've known that man for the entirety of my life, something's wrong... something's terribly wrong.."

Nakime gently shushed him and pat his back, not being able to bear the fact he was breaking down.

"Koku" She whispers and he detaches from her to look at her.

She smiles at him and strokes his cheek, looking deep into his eyes.

"We shouldn't jump to conclusions. You've known him for a long time, he's your brother. Trust him. Whatever he has doing, he will always remember you, understand?"

He gazed at her, looking so worried and restless but he managed to nod.

She cupped his cheeks gently, "I need an answer, Kokushibou."

"Yes, I understand." He says quietly, his expression relaxing at the feel of her hands.

She smiled at him and leaned forward, kissing his forehead. He closed his eyes at the gesture, savoring it and feeling his muscles relax.

"He'll be fine." She whispers, kissing his forehead several times before pulling away and looking into his eyes again.

Kokushibou didn't understand why, but every word she said felt true. It seemed true and he felt so safe, with her tone.

He buried his face in her neck, enjoying the feeling of their bare bodies pressed together. Nakime smiles softly, stroking his hair occasionally.She could understand why he was still worried, and she didn't want him feeling that way. Not even the slightest of worries.

Kokushibou opened his eyes when she pulled him out of her neck. They stared into each others eyes, not once saying a word but understanding everything the other was saying.

Silent permission.

He only pulled her even closer, kissing her deeply. She closed her eyes, wrapping her arms around his neck.His hands slithered down to her waist and hers ran through his hair. Light smacking sounds could be heard all over the bathroom as the slow yet passionate kiss turned fiery.

He lifted her up, walking out of the tub and out of the bathroom, into their room.

He gently placed her on the bed, not once breaking the connection between their lips. Their hands wandered, memorizing every curve and dip of each others bodies all over again.

He pulled away, with a small 'smack' sound. A thin line of saliva still connected their lips, firm proof of how passionate they were both feeling.

Tonight was different. It was if their bond only got stronger, and they were about to strengthen it even more.

Nakime whimpered as he pried her legs open, eyes widening as he lean downed and started nipping at her thighs.

She hissed quietly, feeling herself throb as he left red bite marks all over her inner thighs.

"Koku, please.." She whispered out, making him look at her.

He smirked a little and slithered his hand her, squeezing her ass, "Please what? Tell me what you want."

She whined quietly, a red blush adorning her face. Oh, he was just eating this up, wasn't he?

"Kokushibou." She uttered, refusing to give in. Her voice was fluttery but a little firm and it didn't phase him in the slightest.

He only leaned forward and started sucking on her neck gently. She let out a strained moan, tilting her head to give him room. His other hand moved up to his favorite place, squeezing her left breast.

She moaned again, attempting to grip his hair only to frown. She took off the band holding it up, releasing his long deep brown hair for her to hold on to.

Just like he came to touch her, he released his hands from her body right after, sitting up and looking down at her.

She looked at him, panting heavily in disbelief and a mad amount of confused lust.

"I told you" He says in that deep tone of his, making her shiver, "Tell me what you want."

She made a tiny startled sound as he lifted her chin up with his finger.

She couldn't help it, her lust overrode the last bit of dignity she had in.

"Please" She says quietly, taking his left hand and slowly pulling it downwards towards her heat.

Kokushibou watched silently as she pressed his fingers against it, eyes darkening as her eye fluttered and she let out a breathy moan,"Want you here. Want you in here, on here, whatever...works. Please."

Confirmation gotten.

Nakime gasped when he yanked her closer by the legs, pushing them up towards him. She wrapped them around his head and nearly squashed his face with them once she felt him lick from her rim straight to her heat.

It felt surreal.

Her eye fluttered shut again and she moaned out his name like a mantra.

Every nip, bite, lick and kiss made her body almost tumble over in pleasure. She clutched his hair tightly, begging for more which he definitely obliged to.

Her mind went hazy, clenching her thighs tighter around his head. (He did not mind in the slightest)

"F-fuck..no..no." She whispered out, whining and moaning as he started licking that bundle of nerves that drove her crazy.

Her resolve crumbled when he bit on her clitoris. She came with a scream, clutching the sheets hard and even convulsing a bit from the pleasure. She could feel him licking up everything she had to offer. He then sat up, making her weakly release her leg lock on his head.

He only smiled, hands going back to her hips to gently massage. Her vision was blurry but she felt safe, and she smiled back, wrapping her arms around his neck.

They locked lips again, slowly, gently with every thing they wanted the other to know pouring out into the kiss.

She could taste herself on his tongue, and she moaned into the kiss as he roughly pinched her left nipple.The kiss made her throb even more, and it didn't help feeling his hardness press against her thigh.

She gently pulled away from the kiss, pulling him to sit down, resting his back on the bedstead. He followed her lead, looking at her curiously.

His curiosity was released when she sat in his laps. Her crevice met his member and the two moaned.She then lifted herself up, sinking on him slowly.

His eyes longed to flutter shut as he felt nothing but pleasure, but he managed to guide her, pulling her down with the same pace until she fully wrapped around him.

The groan that came out of his lips encouraged her as she got a hold of herself, bouncing up and down.

Kokushibou hissed, hands gripping her hips tight, as she held his shoulders for support, moving at a steady pace that wracked both their brains.

She moaned and moaned, legs quivering but still managing to move on, going faster.

Kokushibou buried his face in her neck, biting and nipping, filling the white skin with red marks. His mind wasn't going straight, all he could think about was how he felt like he could spill any moment.

Their bodies moved in sync until Nakime's legs started wobbling even more.

Kokushibou held her tighter, raising her up and down seeing as her mind was fumbling her movements. They both moaned, hers louder, as they chased their release.

Nakime felt such a strong connection with this man, from day one and hearing him open up to her just made her want to protect him in any way she can.

She bounced with his movements, and he let out a loud groan, whipping his head back. She immediately latched on his neck, leaving her own marks. He could only groan again, letting go of her left hip and rubbing at her clit.

She gasped and continued to bounce, feeling herself get closer.

Her mind was so hazy, she couldn't even register what she said next.

"Oh my gosh, I love you so much, Koku."

He heard those words loud and clear, but his mind was too busy attending to making this woman cum for him and only him.He flipped them over, placing one leg on his shoulder and moving at a pace that left her sobbing.

They both shared another kiss, and in between the heated kisses, he couldn't help but respond.

"I love you more."

Nakime scream-moaned again as she released all over herself and him as well, similar to her squirting.

His breath hitched as he held her closer, hips stuttering. He finally released right after with a strained moan.

They both held each other close, panting heavily as they tried to catch their breath.

The moment Kokushibou regained his senses, he opened his mouth to address what he had just said, only to see her fast asleep.

He stared at her for a while, wondering how the hell she fell asleep so quickly. He then smiled, widely, and slowly pulled out of her. His legs shook a bit and he looked back at her, still not over how she could make him feel so on top of everything.

He cleaned her up and put one of his purple and black checkered haori on her before placing her back on the bed.

He draped the new sheets he got over her and gently kissed her forehead.

"Goodnight, my love."

He then put on another of his checked haori, along with his Hakama pants and grabbed his sword, rushing out of the house.

******

Something didn't sit right with Kokushibou. He could sense it, so he immediately ran at lightning speed the moment he confirmed there were no humans 5 metres close to the house.

He passed by buildings, sights of the entertainment district, unnoticed as the place bustled with people.

He could sense it. Yoriichi's presence.

Something was wrong, it wasn't even moving, and it was faltering.

"Fuck." He whispered to himself and moved silently through a window of one of the huge buildings blocking his path.

A small breeze brushed past on of the maids in the halls and she looked up, seeing nothing."Hmm." She muttered before going back to cleaning.

Kokushibou continued to move in the direction of where he could sense Yoriichi and it led him to a forest.The same one outside the entertainment district that he and Nakime took to get to the house.

The three had strolled her here a few times.

He continued to rush through the forest until he came to a halt. Sitting on the floor, resting on one of the barks, was someone wearing a red haori.

The burgundy hair gave him away and Kokushibou immediately teleported beside him and knelt down, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"You idiot! Wh-"

He stopped mid sentence as he took in his features.

Yoriichi looked at his brother and smiled a bit. His whole body ached, but he didn't want to frown while his brother was looking at him with so much fear.

"Yeah. Spare me the lectures." He whispered, his voice hoarse.

The effects of the drug was wearing off.

He was pale, his burgundy hair was loosing its shine, fading to white. The demon slayer mark from the top right corner of his forehead was decaying, turning black and moving downwards.It had reached his upper lip. His breathing was labored, but he was still smiling.

"Yoriichi." Kokushibou muttered, voice filled with fear.

The fear of loosing him again.

Yoriichi chuckled a bit. He hated that look on his brother's face, but he couldn't stand being close to the same man that strengthened the rift between them.

"I'm sorry." He said quietly.

Tears pricked at Kokushibou's eyes as he watched his brother shut his eyes.

"Don't you dare apologize for leaving me." Kokushibou whispered back, wanting to sound angry. He only sounded pained.

Yoriichi smiled again, with his eyes still shut."That's not what I'm apologizing for, dumbass."

"I'm sorry.." He says again, voice becoming fainter. Kokushibou's eyes widened as he grabbed his brothers hand, clutching it tightly.

"I'm sorry...I couldn't be there when you needed me the most."

Blood.

That was all he saw. Leaking out of his brothers hands, eyes, mouth, everywhere.

Yoriichi managed to still grin, weakly, "Tell that motherfucker I'll see him in hell."

*********

Nakime opened her eyes a bit.

She yawned quietly, and looked outside, seeing the sky was still dark.

She was thirsty.

She tried to stand up, but grimaced and sat back down.

The pain shooting through her legs and lower back made her rethink her choices.She laid back down on the bed, slowly falling back asleep until she noticed Kokushibou wasn't next to her.

She sat up, startled. Where did he go?

Footsteps from outside had her jump a bit, but when she heard the particular way the feet shuffled, she knew it was Kokushibou.

She forced herself to stand, bearing the pain and walking downstairs. She reached the living room and smiled at his figure by the door.

She then saw how his shoulders were slumped and how he didn't even raise his head up.

What shocked her the most was when he came closer and knelt down hugging her waist.

"Koku-?"

She fell completely silent as he started to sob.

**********

A/N:Hello my beautiful readers.

Mind you, this book is about to spiral.

Just a warning. Okay, see you later 🖤🖤.

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