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Milky white irises gazed up at the starry sky, the inky black illuminated by the bold and bright full moon. Despite being blind, Ubuyashiki Kagaya could still picture the dazzling lights in the dark and the proud satellite above.
Kagaya enjoyed his solitude, as he found it to be quite seldom in his life. With his worsening physical condition, his dutiful wife was a constant by his side. However, on rare occasions he could find peace and quiet by his lonesome.
The man took deep, slow breaths, taking in the crisp air that came with nightfall. He took these times to reflect, helping to bring some semblance of normalcy to his overburdened mind. After all, a lot of changes were to be made with the recent situation regarding the water pillar.
It wasn't very often the 97th leader of the Demon Slayer Corps found himself perplexed, the man thought he had seen it all in his few years on Earth. However, when the letter arrived by kasugai crow informing Kagaya of Tomioka Giyu's transformation into a demon, he couldn't help but find himself deeply troubled.
By some miracle, the newly turned demon seemed to be uninterested in human blood as a food source, leading the demon to be in a current examination by a very curious Shinobu.
Of course, there was outrage within the ranks. It was to be expected with another demon added to the corps. One demon was bad enough, but now two?! Just what was the master thinking, allowing demons into the corps? Some couldn't help but question Kagaya's recent decision making...
Still, the ever empathetic man could still see good in the demon. A demon uninterested in human consumption was no less human in Kagaya's eyes. He was still Kagaya's child, through and through.
"You've been standing there for quite some time, Giyu."
Kagaya's soft, gentle voice sang through the air. The demon tensed up, thinking he had been observing the leader undetected. The master may have been blind, but his other senses were as sharp as ever, rivalling that of even the other pillars'.
Kagaya chuckled, a soothing sound that seemed to make the Earth still for just a single moment.
"No need to be so nervous, my child", Kagaya assured, turning his head to look at the demon standing behind him with a warm smile on his face. "Please, come and join me."
Hesitant feet stepped forward until they reached the man, sharpened toenails marking the wooden planks that made up the engawa.
Giyu stood still for a moment, frowning behind his bamboo muzzle, before slowly sitting beside Kagaya. He tucked his knees to his chest, sitting in rather immature manner. It was fitting, Kagaya thought. Giyu was no bigger than a five year old toddler, and his mind seemed to have regressed mentally, too. He was much like the Kamado girl in more ways than one. Be that as it may, Kagaya couldn't help but find it endearing. The water pillar was always such a closed book, even to Kagaya. Seeing him now, childish yet retaining his stubborn attitude, brought Kagaya a sense of amusement.
"The stars are breathtaking tonight, aren't they?"
Giyu blinked, tilting his head upwards to look at the stars. His eyes, once dull and lifeless, shined with brilliant blues and colour as the stars above twinkled in his eyes.
Diamond-shaped pupils dilated into rounded spheres, his gaze becoming focused on the shining moon more than anything else. Demon instincts, Kagaya supposed. Giyu may have been docile, but he was a creature of the night nonetheless.
"Do you like the moon, Giyu? It's quite dazzling tonight." Kagaya said softly, turning to look at the demon.
Giyu no longer had his gaze focused above, but on the cumbersome muzzle around his face. His eyes were cross-eyed, looking at the inconvenient decoration.
Kagaya couldn't help the breathy laugh that left his lips. It was quite cute, really.
"Come now, Giyu. I'm sure it's not that bad."
Kagaya said, slim fingers pulling the blue fabric cloth that kept the muzzle secure off of Giyu's face. He knew nobody would approve of Kagaya taking such a risk, but the man couldn't stand to see his poor child uncomfortable.
"Is that better?" Kagaya asked, setting the muzzle to the side of him.
Giyu looked up at Kagaya, cerulean eyes meeting foggy whites.
Kagaya smiled, his hand cupping the demon's cheek as his thumb brushed over Giyu's face.
"You're quite the small thing, hm?" Kagaya hummed thoughtfully, cocking his head to the side slightly.
Giyu reciprocated the action, head tilting to match Kagaya, making the man laugh.
"You're so sweet, aren't you?" Giyu's sensitive nose twitched, picking up on all the subtle scents around him that he couldn't previously smell as a human.
Kagaya's scent was as sweet as honey, and as warm as the sun on a summer's day. The man was pleased with Giyu, which emboldened the shy demon a little more.
Giyu leaned his head against Kagaya's shoulder, a sleepy yawn escaping him.
Kagaya smiled at the endearing sight, noting the demon's weariness.
"Let's get you inside, my child."
With ease, Kagaya picked up Giyu by the armpits, securing him against his chest.
Giyu blinked sleepily, tiredness overcoming his small body quickly.
Kagaya carried the baby demon back inside, walking through the familiar halls of his large mansion until he reached Giyu's temporary given room.
Quietly, he slid the sliding shoji door open, and stepped into the room, approaching the futon in the centre.
Peeling back the silk covers, he set Giyu down and tucked the demon in, brushing a single black hair strand from his face.
Kagaya's lips pressed a gentle kiss to Giyu's forehead, the touch lingering for a moment or two before he pulled away.
"Goodnight, Giyu."
Kagaya said, the two simple words like a lullaby on its own. The leader stood up, walking back towards the door.
He walked out, taking one last glance at the demon before sliding the door shut.