Ubuyashiki smiled as he led you through the estate, showing the children toward their rooms. He was giving a small tour, introducing those you passed and pointing out some of the estate, specifically the fruit trees. Those were his favorite because he could never miss them, even without his sight.

Rō and Misa were holding onto your hands as you followed behind Ubuyashiki, staring at anything he pointed out in wonder. They were curious children and loved to explore. You were sure they'd have plenty to explore while they were under Ubuyashiki's care.

Misa tugged on your hand, "mom?" She questioned once she had obtained your attention. You hummed, tilting your head towards her. "How long will we be here?" Rō was paying closer attention now, also curious. "I'm not sure. I'll be sure to visit as often as I can, which should be at least once a week. I'm keeping you all here so you'll be safe while mom goes out and tries to make it a better and safer place for you all," you gave her a small, and hopefully, encouraging smile.

She seemed satisfied with your answer for now, as did Rō as he righted himself so he was no longer leaning to listen in on the conversation. Misa nodded, letting go of your hand and skipping up to the front. Rō stayed at your side, however, as he was slightly more timid than his sister. They were actually twins, which you occasionally found hilarious when adults would get confused between the two.

The only real defining feature between the two was that Rō wore his hair up, while Misa tended to leave hers in a long braid, because of how young they are they still looked very similar. Once they grew up they'd look significantly different from each other, but that would take at least another two years.

You couldn't help but laugh at the memory of when Akaza met the two, completely flabbergasted at the identical look between the two. It had been even funnier to see him try and decipher who was who.

Rō and Misa were very small back then though, so they likely didn't remember when they first met Akaza, but you could still laugh at the memory. Speaking of Akaza, where is he? You questioned yourself as you turned around.

He was walking a few yards away, arms crossed and pouting as he drug his feet behind the group. You weren't sure where Mitsuri and Rengoku had disappeared off to, but you figured you'd see them again before you left the estate.

You couldn't help but chuckle slightly at seeing him pout. He always had a tendency to get jealous when he wasn't getting the attention he felt he deserved. You turned back around as Ubuyashiki pointed out a small spring that ran through the grove of wisteria trees.

You felt your skin begin itching again, fighting to urge to scratch. You hated how your body still reacted to wisteria, but a necessary evil you assumed. You turned to face Akaza again, to see how he was faring. He was scratching at his bare chest, right below his collarbone.

"Akaza," you called out, and he stopped scratching momentarily to look up at you. You shook your head, gesturing slightly to your own collarbone. His pout deepened as he let his hand fall to his side. You gave him a sympathetic smile and waved for him to come up to your side.

He trotted up, a smile on his face as he did so. Once he reached you he almost velcroed to your side. You huffed and shook your head at his antics. He seemed much more chipper at being closer to you.

You continued to follow Ubuyashiki as he brought all of you to a large building, one of the empty houses kept on the estate. It was kept for the Hashira if they ever decided to live on the estate. All of them, however, had their own estate, so the house remained vacant.

Ubuyashiki stepped out of the way, gesturing for you all to go inside. "What do we say?" You questioned the children, "thank you!" They cried in synchronization. You smiled, and nodded, "good job. Now go inside," and they all filed in. You stayed outside for a moment and turned to Ubuyashiki. "Thank you so much Ubuyashiki. I could never repay you for what you've done for me."

He waved you off, "please, no thanks are required. You are doing me a great service," he walked forward and clasped your hands. "With you, we may be able to beat Muzan now. You have no idea how much I appreciate your existence." He spoke passionately. You couldn't help but laugh, nodding your head again to the leader. "Thank you again Ubuyashiki, we will be going inside now." He smiled and nodded and began to wander off.

Akaza closed the door behind the both of you, and you looked as the children milled about, figuring out which room was who's. Sasori and Arita were directing the younger children, "Rué and Ide get first pick," Sasori ordered and she pointed for them to make their way down the hall and pick their rooms.

"Come back once you've decided!" Arita yelled after them. They nodded to him, disappearing down the hall. "How many bedrooms are there?" You questioned the group. "Nine," Misa responded. You nodded, sitting down at the large table in the opening room.

The children that were waiting for their turn sat around you, simply talking amongst themselves as the youngest picked their rooms. Rué and Ide returned after a few minutes, both trotting in victoriously. "We've picked," they spoke in unison, moving to sit down at the table.

"Okay, then. Which ones did you pick?" Sasori questioned, leaning with her elbows on the table. "I picked the last one of the left," Ide spoke softly. "And I picked the one right before his," Rué said while smiling brightly. Arita nodded, "next Suou and Oka. Go pick," Arita instructed. The two 8-year-olds bounded off down the halls to go pick their respective rooms.

You were happy that the oldest two were taking charge, incredibly proud of how much they've grown. Akaza broke your train of thought, however, as he rested his head against your shoulder. You said nothing, simply reaching over and running your fingers through his bright pink hair.

He seemed to purr, moving closer and snuggling up to your side. As he did so, Arita frowned and snuggled up to your other side. You were now running your hands down both of their scalps, lighting using your nails to scratch their scalps.

While you were oblivious Arita and Akaza were glaring at each other. The heat behind their glares enough to cook a meal. Akaza felt his eyebrow twitch and at seeing that, Arita grinned and stuck his tongue out. Akaza had to grit his teeth to prevent himself from launching at the child and strangling him. And there you sat, completely oblivious to the fight going on just beside you.

Arita, finally sunk into your embrace, smiling as you continued your ministrations. If he could purr, he probably would have been, wanting to meld into your warmth. Akaza couldn't help but maintain his glare on the young human.

Akaza's glare was interrupted by Rué and Ide returning to share which rooms they had picked. Misa and Rō went afterward picking their own rooms. They took the longest, coming back about five minutes later with their picks. Arita was reluctant to remove himself from your side.

Sasori had already stood and went off to find her own room. Arita moved slowly, following behind Sasori at a reasonable distance. Sasori stopped in the middle of one of the long hallways, turning her head toward Arita and jerking her head forward. He walked to her side, leaning in to show he was listening.

"Akaza is being weird," Sasori whispered to the boy, a small shiver racking her body. "I agree. He keeps glaring at anyone who comes near mom," they looked at each other and nodded, seeming to come to an understanding. "At least he isn't dumb enough to be outwardly mean to any of the others," Arita couldn't help but laugh, and Sasori joined in quickly. "You're right," Sasori cackled.

They laughed in the middle of the hallway for a few moments before the laughter died out and they simply stood together. "I wonder what mom did to Yushiro," Sasori spoke as she rubbed her chin. "Well she did say that he was alive," Arita replied as he shrugged and moved down the hallway.

Sasori shrugged as well, following Arita down the hallway. "Which room do you want?" Arita asked as he came to the two leftover rooms, right across the hall from each other. Sasori said nothing as she came up next to him, opening the doors to both of the rooms and thoroughly inspecting them.

She picked the one on the right, pointing it out before leaving back towards the main living area where you were. Arita looked at both of the rooms, seeing as they were almost identical, and shrugged as he followed Sasori back.

As they entered the living area you perked up, "are all the rooms decided now?" You questioned, as you slowly stood up. Akaza frowned, standing up with you. Sasori's brows furrowed as she further witnessed the younger demon's behavior.

She did not like Akaza, no matter how he tried to play nice, he always gave her the creeps for some reason. And if you had taught your children anything it was to trust your instincts and Sasori's instincts said to be wary about the younger demon. "That's great!" You exclaimed and clapped in finality. "How about I make everyone dinner and then you will all be free to do as you wish?" You spoke as you went off in search of the kitchen.

You were able to find a small kitchen, missing many of the usual kitchen amenities. You squinted at the small kitchen, deciding to speak with Ubuyashiki about the state of the kitchen, but you'd make do for now.

You were looking for anything to add to your dish but couldn't find anything other than rice. You decided to go outside to see what you could find. As you went outside and began searching you ran into Mitsuri. She was ecstatic to see you, hugging you tightly. You returned her forceful embrace, happy to do so.

You chatted for a moment before you asked her where you could find ingredients for dinner. She told you were to look and you invited her to dinner, to which to happily agreed. You told her that if she ran into Rengoku he was also more than welcome to join and she gave you a sinister grin.

You stared at her, apprehensively, but thanked her for her help and moved to gather the necessary supplies for the small dinner. You grabbed the vegetables and meat needed from the open pantry and headed back to the house your children were in.

You entered the house, scurrying off to the kitchen to continue preparing dinner. As you were doing so Sasori meandered into the kitchen. You were soaking the rice, preparing to be made. "Can I help mom?" Sasori questioned as she moved forward and began helping you anyway. You chuckled and nodded, moving over so she could continue chopping to vegetables you were able to procure.

She helped you prepare dinner, the two of you laughing and playing around as you did so, enjoying your time together after being apart for so long. As the rice boiled she hugged you tightly, and you rested your chin on her head. You stayed there for a few minutes before you heard the door open.

You hear Mitsuri greet everyone cheerfully, hearing a loud "Hello!" from none other than Kyojuro himself. You and Sasori hurried in making the bowl for everyone, and you came in with your arms full. Rué and Ide got their bowls first, going in order from youngest to oldest.

You told Sasori to sit down once it was her turn, and while she tried to argue you simply pushed her down and scurried back off to the kitchen. You came back and gave Akaza his bowl first, then Mitsuri, and Kyojuro afterward. Your own bowl remained in your hands as you sat down at the table.

I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. College has started back up for me and honestly, sociology can suck it. I hope to have another chapter out soon!👋