Everyone looked at you as you sat down, waiting for you before they ate. "Thank you for the food," they all spoke in unison. You smiled, lifting your chopsticks and digging in. They all followed after you, taking their first bites. Their eyes widened and they all went head-first into the meal.

Rengoku sat next to you, chewing happily. "This is very good (Y/n), thank you for inviting me and Mitsuri," he spoke softly, barely taking a breath in-between bites. "Yes thank you!" Mitsuri yelled after him, mouth still full of food.

A soft smile overtook your features, "I'm so happy you could both make it, and are enjoying the food," you said frankly. You continued to eat the food in front of you, even though you didn't need it. It tasted good, and you were happy that everyone around you seemed to be enjoying what you had made.

You caught Akaza's eye, and he nodded to you, inclining his bowl in your direction slightly. It was his way of saying thanks, and you bobbed your head in reply. Your smile didn't leave your face as you chatted with everyone at the table, enjoying their meals.

It was a pleasant and uneventful evening, one you hadn't been able to enjoy in a long time. You sat out on the engawa, with a tea set to your side, slowly sipping on your jasmine tea. Jasmine had been your favorite as a human, and you maintained your taste once you turned into a demon.

Rengoku stepped outside onto the engawa and slid the door closed behind him. "May I join you?" He inquired, to which you nodded silently, watching the sky become darker and darker.

He sat beside you, looking at the darkening sky as well. "I'm surprised your outside right now, Akaza's hiding in the darkest room he could find." He chuckled softly, resting his hands in his lap.

You snicker lightly, sipping your tea again. "Akaza has never been as light resistant as I. I'm likely the closest thing Muzan has ever gotten to being able to go into the sunlight, but I still can't go into direct sunlight. I'd also rather die than give him the satisfaction of knowing how resistant I am," a mirthless tone befell your voice.

Rengoku huffed and stared at you for a moment. Silently contemplating how to further the conversation. He only thanked you, however, when you poured him a cup of the Jasmine tea. He brought it to his lips, humming appreciatively at the warm taste.

"I think it's time I tell you the whole story about how I became a demon," you spoke suddenly. Your sudden utterance had caught Rengoku off guard, and he did not know how to respond. "You don't have to (Y/n) - you need to know." You cut off, tone firm and leaving no room for argument.

Rengoku said nothing, and nodded, allowing you to speak when you were ready. "Muzan followed me to my home after a mission. I tried to fight him off, dared him to come at me. I thought I could beat him, but I wasn't strong enough." You sighed, tears already lining your eyes.

"Apparently I was strong enough to catch his eye, however, and he gave me his blood. My body was able to merge with it, and I became a demon," you choked. "You know how demons have an insatiable hunger when they are first turned?" You questioned him.

He nodded, fearing where this conversation was going. "My husband and children heard our fight, and my screams of pain. So when everything went silent they came rushing out." Tears began freefalling, "and they came just as I had fully turned. My first and last taste of human flesh was my entire family." You sobbed out, choking on the last few words.

"I killed my husband, and our three amazing children, and yet I was still so hungry. I showed no mercy, but after I had..." You paused, trying to swallow the bile that was rising. "I had eaten them, I had a moment of clarity. I tried to kill myself, but it didn't work. I was so revolted by what I had done, a tore my own stomach out. I tried tearing my heart out but it grew back too quickly."

You heaved a large breath of air into your awaiting lungs. "My body began to revolt against Muzan's blood. I was sick, barely able to stand. I don't fully understand it, but I believe that my family's blood was stronger than Muzan's, and mutated it as my body was trying to expel it. After some time, I had woken up in a ditch, far away from home." Another breath, "I understand if you wish to kill me, or never speak to me again," you spoke timidly.

You didn't look at him, for fear of how he was looking at you. You were sure disgust, anger, and betrayal must have been shown through his expression, but didn't dare meet his gaze.

"I don't know for how long I had been gone, but after that, I stayed around for another 70 or so years, doing what I could to repent, and building shrines for my family." The last part was a murmur, swept by the wind. But Rengoku was still able to hear it.

He was unsure how to feel, knowing now that you had killed the family who you had spoken so highly of. But you cared for your children, he'd seen it. You had put yourself in danger just to ensure their safety, coming to Ubuyashiki to beg for sanctuary for them.

While he was unsure how to respond, he simply hummed and finished his tea. He set the cup down next to you, shifting to stand up. You only then looked at him, terror and despair filling your gaze.

He met your eyes, his gaze softening for some reason when they met. "I do not wish to kill you, but I need time to fully comprehend what you have told me. I appreciate you telling me the entire story, and will keep it to myself unless told otherwise. Thank you for the tea (Y/n), I bid you goodnight." He finished before leaving off the engawa and towards the rest of the estate.

You tried to prevent yourself from crying, finding some semblance of hope that he didn't instantly try and kill you. However, shortly after he left, Mitsuri came bounding through the doorway, plopping herself next to you.

You gave her a wobbly smile, to which she cocked her head, a look of concern overtaking her features. But when you slightly shook your head she dropped it, pouring both of you cups of tea. She refilled yours while pouring herself one.

"You do not wish to speak on what has upset you so?" She questioned, more matter-of-factly than anything else. "I fear what you may think," you responded softly. She hummed, sipping her tea, and giving no further input. She did not wish to push you or make you uncomfortable. Especially if you feared what she may think.

You looked down at your cup of tea, staring at the reflection of the sky off of the dark liquid. "I did something unforgivable when I became a demon, and it is how I became a demon. I told Rengoku the whole story, and while he said he had no wish to kill me, he left." You murmured, eyes not leaving the cup in front of you.

"I'm assuming that means you ate at least one human?" She questioned monotonously. You nodded, ashamed at how easily she had figured it out. She sighed, refilling her tea, which you took as a more pleasant reaction than Rengoku's.

"That was almost a Millenium ago, and while I wish to hold it against you, I cannot find it within myself to do so. Master Rengoku has known you for longer than I have, so I cannot speak for his reaction," she paused.

"But I've seen how you interact with those around you, your children, Akaza, Master Rengoku, and the other demon slayers. You bare no ill will towards them unless they put your life in danger. Then you still only seem to stop them from causing harm." She spoke, turning to look at you.

"I believe that what you had done may have been horrible, you've seen kings and dynasties fall. I can feel that you've grown. I should not hold your past actions, of which I have no prior knowledge of, against you. You have seen kingdoms fall, you're bound to have grown as a person," she smiled tenderly at you.

You felt tears cascade down your face, smiling at her with adoration and appreciation. You wanted to hug her but didn't want to push boundaries, so you just gazed at her. With the last rays of the sun blazing on her, you thought she looked beautiful, and you had never appreciated a human more than you did at that moment.

"Thank you so much Mitsuri," you sniveled, reaching for her hand instead. If she pulled away, you knew you'd be hurt, but it would be easier for her to reject your touch if you only reached for her hand.

She grasped your hand firmly, a grin overcoming her features. "Of course (Y/n), I believe you've proven yourself beyond a reasonable doubt. If you wanted to hurt any of us, you would have by now. I can see how much all of your children love and adore you. They say children have a very good sense of how good a person is," she spoke warmly.

You sat with her, holding her hand as the sun finally situated itself beyond the horizon, the moon rising through the sky. You sat together until she shivered at the cold, having already finished the pot of tea many minutes ago.

"You should go home Mitsuri, you are cold." You spoke with little room for argument. She fumbled for a retort, trying to argue, but you waved her off and walked her out of the house.

She smiled as she went to leave, pulled you into a fierce hug, and relaxed into your returned embrace. "Thank you for opening up to me (Y/n), I appreciate how much you trust me." She murmured, pulling away from the hug delicately.

"Thank you for giving me a chance, without you and Rengoku I fear we would have never made progress. I hope to see you tomorrow, I can cook breakfast for you?" You offered as she began to walk away.

She turned with an ecstatic smile, "of course!" she told as she ran back to her estate. You smiled and waved back, happy that she was willing to continue being around you.

You closed the door behind you, almost running into Oka. You jolted in shock at having almost run your eight-year-old son over. "Oh goodness Oka, you surprised me," you explained as you knelt down in front of him.

He looked down at the floor, ashamed. You held onto your pants, not making eye contact with you, and shuffling around. He seemed to be trying to find the words to ask you a question, and you waited patiently, wanting him to take his time and ask what he wanted to. He mumbled something, which you didn't happen to catch.

You tilted your head, "what was that sweetheart?" You questioned, placing your hand on his shoulder in support. "Can you read me a bedtime story," he mumbled the question again.

You were able to hear him this time, and you grinned, standing and placing your hand on his back. "Of course, what story do you want to listen to?" You asked as you walked with him to his room. "The Toothpick Warriors, please," he requested. You nodded, knowing the story by heart at this point.

For about 6 months, Oka couldn't sleep without being read a story, and his favorite was The Toothpick Warriors. You sat on the floor next to him, tucking him in his bed and kissing his forehead. You began the story and he fell asleep quickly after.

Happy to finally have this out. I just lost all motivation and couldn't find the time. I hope you all enjoyed it even though it took so long.