Demonslayer X Male Reader Oneshots Daki x Reader

Thanks @HantraxHF for the request!
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“Ume!  Look what I got!”  I panted heavily as I came to an abrupt stop with my arms full, a large smile plastered on my face.  The small girl looked at me with her wide eyes.  If my face wasn’t warm from the running, it sure was now.  Holding out the still warm pieces of bread, I started bouncing on my heels excitedly. 

“Where did you get this?” the young girl asked as she took the piece, her own small smile growing as her stomach growled.  I wanted to burst with happiness at the score I had found.  My cheeriness spilled over as Ume took a bite of the bread, tears immediately pricking at her eyes. 

“Don’t worry about it.  Now where’s your brother?  He needs some too.”  I spun around to look for my other friend to see him round the corner.  He never was far behind when his sister was involved.  He cast me a grin that widened at the sight of the bread in my arms. 

I split the rest of the loaf in half to share between the siblings.  They ate greedily and rightfully so…they’ve been starved for far too long.  My stomach clenched at the sight but I had eaten a meal earlier today and that was enough.  I refused to take too much, instead giving whatever I found to the siblings.  No offense to her brother but I had originally done this to watch over Ume. 

I gazed at the small girl now, no trace left of the bread I had given her mere moments ago.  Her eyes had retained some of their glimmer, something I had sought out to do.  She quickly pulled me close, her head resting against my chest as her brother sent me a suspicious glare.  My hands rested on her back as warmth spread through me.  Her embrace was absolutely perfect, full of light and promises. 

~~~

I was stupid.  Stealing that bread was bound to have repercussions but as a child how was I to know?  Large hands gripped my shoulders harshly as another kick was sent to my stomach.  The master of the house merely sneered down at me as he allowed his men to have their sick fun.  My cries were soft and quiet though all I wanted was to scream.  No one would come to save me though and so that would’ve been pointless. 

There were certain men that ran this town and I had been lucky enough to steal directly from one of their kitchens.  It wasn’t only a strike to their supply but a strike to their pride as well.  I would become an example set to the others in this town just what would happen if you stole.  It didn’t matter that I had done it to save my starving friends. 

Another kick had me spitting blood onto the snow before it dribbled down my chin.  My body was both freezing against the ice and warmed by my bloodshed as my body went into shock.  Everything hurt and my sobs only grew louder the harder they hit. 

A small crowd had begun to gather to watch in horrified silence but no one stepped up to save me.  I was on my own with no escape.  I couldn’t even bear to look up at the faces around me until I had a scream.  My eyes squeezed shut as another kind of pain blossomed in my chest that was then kicked harshly.  Ume cried out but by the sound of shuffling, someone was holding her back.  I was grateful that she was stopped.  I wouldn’t be able to handle her being punished as well. 

“Do you regret it punk?  Tell everyone what happens when you steal from our master,” one of the men hissed, a hand sharply yanking my head up by my hair to look out at the crowd.  My eyes instantly met Ume’s teary ones.  She let out more sobs but I managed to give her a small pained smile. 

“I’d do it all again without any hesitation,” I rasped out wearily, my head dropping but my gaze on Ume intense.  The gasps from the crowd and the sound of a blade unsheathing behind me made my body tense up.  Something sharp pressed against my neck as Ume let out hysterical screams. 

There was a beat of silence.  A chance for my life to flash before my eyes.  I hadn’t been lying when I said I’d do it all again.  The pressure against my neck increased and with one swift movement everything went dark.

~~~

It was pitch black.  A cold embrace that was the stark opposite of Ume’s.  This one was full of darkness while hers brought a shimmering light.  I wanted to cry but I had no tears to shed.  This couldn’t be it.  I wasn’t ready to leave.  My life was short and didn’t give me a full chance to live to the fullest. 

There was a tug in my center that seemed to tether me.  I desperately reached onto that feeling of sheer stubbornness and pulled.  I wouldn’t let this be the end.  I wanted a fair chance this time.  I swear I’ll find you Ume.

~~~

Gyutaro POV

I didn’t cry for him but I felt the loss leave a small wake of pity.  He had fed my sister and kept us alive when no one else would.  His death wasn’t deserved but there wasn’t anything to be done now. 
    
It took me a moment to tear my gaze away from the bloodied body that had collapsed in the snow but when I did, it was to watch as my sister tumbled forward closer to the horrible men that had slaughtered y/n.  Darting forward to intercept, it turns out it didn’t matter as the killers moved on.  All they had wanted was to put on a show and now the crimson curtains were drawn. 
    
I stood, shocked and helpless as I watched Ume fall to her knees in the bloodied snow.  Her fragile arms wrapped around the lifeless body, her tears falling and her agonized screams carrying.  It was a sight a brother should never have to watch.  I still didn’t cry for him but my pity had blossomed into grief at seeing how much he meant to Ume.  If I didn’t do something to honor him, I’d regret it for the rest of my life. 
    
And so, after hours of allowing Ume to cry, I approached her with a proposition.  He deserved a proper burial and the few spectators that were left behind in shock had agreed to help with the small ceremony.  They hadn’t done anything to preserve his life though, not until y/n’s blood had run cold.

It wasn’t until I found Ume a few weeks later on the brink of death that I realized how much we depended on y/n.  It was also when I spared anguished tears for them both.  If y/n had been around to watch her, this wouldn’t have happened.  If I had been around, she wouldn’t be charred and halfway melted. 
    
Rage coursed through my veins as my stare landed on a man standing close by, torch still burning in his hands as he glared at me with hate.  I immediately recognized him as the same man who had dragged the dagger across y/n’s throat.  He was the cause of Ume’s emotional and physical pain and he was going to die for it. 
    
The man watched me, his glare wavering when he caught sight of the curved blade in my grip.  I was going to make him suffer for making my sister suffer.  His death wouldn’t be as clean as y/n’s or even Ume’s, I would make sure of it.

~~~

Years Later (Y/n POV)

I walked down the cluttered streets of the Entertainment District as the lights blinded me.  Everything felt extreme here and I didn’t feel comfortable with the crowds of people.  Nevertheless, I walked down the streets with the package I had been sent to deliver tight in my arms as I was jostled around. 

This was the last place I would expect myself to be but I also couldn’t deny the alluring feeling I had.  It seemed to try to guide me through the district like the familiar path that leads to home.  I tried to shake off the feeling with no avail.  It wasn’t until I reached a performance that I started to suspect why I could’ve been here. 

I’ve had a few dreams lately that starred a beautiful white haired woman with deep blue eyes.  The woman didn’t feel like a stranger though I was sure I’d never met her before.  I paused in front of the performance to catch my breath as I watched the elegant dancers spin and twirl.  It wasn’t something I was personally entertained by but everyone else had wide eyes and excited smiles. 

I was about to walk away when a certain woman caught my attention.  She was a bit far off but that urge to follow her rose sharply, making me gasp.  It didn’t make much sense considering I had no clue who she was.  My brain didn’t listen to logic, it seemed, as I sprinted through the performance, tucking the package into my coat as the mysterious woman turned her back to walk inside the building behind her. 

I called out, trying to get her attention only to receive no response.  Her hair was dark and therefore clearly not the woman in my dreams but I followed her inside anyway. 

Bursting through the door, the woman finally turned around to sneer at me before her expression turned into one of pure shock.  It took me only a moment before that feeling in my chest exploded, memories resurfacing.  They weren’t flashbacks of this life though, they felt older and yet incredibly real.  She might’ve looked different but…. 

“Ume?” my voice wavered uncertainly.  By the tears staining her face, I was sure that she recognized me as well.  She rushed into my arms and time seemed to stop.  Warmth spread through me and I didn’t hesitate to lay my hands along her back, something I felt like I’ve done a million times before. 

Tears slid down my face as a smile spread across my lips.  Squeezing her tightly, I leaned my head onto her shoulder and allowed myself years full of desperate unexplained longing to spill down my face.  I wasn’t sure how fate did it but I was grateful for this chance. 

“I knew I’d find you again, even if I had to live another life to accomplish it,” I whispered, my voice thick with tears.  She trembled in my hold before pushing away from my chest to look at me.  Her eyes were no longer a deep blue but a light yellowish green, her hair now dark tendrils.  It would’ve been impossible for her to have lived this long and suspicion crept into my mind. 

“I’m a demon.”  My muscles tensed, the reality of it sending me into shock.  Could she really be?  She held only seriousness in her gaze, maybe even some pain.  My hand came up to her face tenderly.  She leaned into it with a look of shame on her features. 

Demons were bloodthirsty creatures, only existing for murder.  So why was she looking more like a goddess than a beast?  By the nervousness in her eyes, she clearly has done some damage in the past.  I took her hands in mine tightly.  I wasn’t going to lose her though I didn’t want murder to be on both our hands either. 

“I know we’ve just been reunited, but I have a request,” I asked quietly.  She stared at me longingly and I was sure that if she had her own wish, I was sure to grant it.  “I know you probably have your reasons, I understand, but please don’t take it out on anyone.  I want this to work unlike in the past and you need to promise me you won’t hurt anyone unless absolutely necessary.” 

She didn’t hesitate to nod softly, her arms wrapping around my shoulders as she pressed her head onto my shoulder.  Her breath tickled my ear as she leaned in.  “I’d do anything for us and so if this is what you want, I promise to never harm those who don’t deserve it,” she whispered. 

Hugging her closer, I made my own promise.  After a whole other lifetime and years spent longing for the feeling of home, I had her back again.  I’ll  never leave you again.