Bruh, it's about to get intense here.

♤♡◇♧

"If Nao-san is given the chance to experience immortality, never having to worry about the fragility of a human body, what would Nao-san do?"

Nao remembers the time Muzan was still oblivious to the fact that she knows he's a demon. He was very gentle with her, kind and would always smile as if he couldn't form any other expression on his face.

He would hold her hand, slow down when they walk just so Nao could keep up and wouldn't get lost.

Then there's the fact that he spoils her a lot with anything she wants, even the things she didn't want.

Her eyes would only linger on a bracelet once and Muzan would end up buying it for her. Nao learned never to stray her gaze after that.

The Muzan she first met was a kind man despite being a demon.

Now that Nao has told him her knowledge of his demon identity, Muzan's demeanor has suddenly changed.

He was still the same person yet Muzan was more open with her, doesn't shy away from showing his ruthlessness and even going as far as to lay claims on Nao as if he was an animal trying to protect his territory.

Nao would have find it endearing, how Muzan easily gets jealous or possessive of her but the fact that all the demons who end up looking at her, even once, somehow ends up in a puddle of their blood a few seconds later...was somehow traumatizing.

This really disturbs Nao more often than not, she would stay in her room while she waits for Muzan. It was boring and Nao would often try to find ways to distract herself during confinement.

It was also safer that way since she rarely encounters any demons while she's in her room. Though there would be a rare case of one or two being able to find her out of curiosity.

Their lives don't last very long.

She would suddenly find herself on Muzan's lab while the demon or demons who happen to find her would end up a bloody mess on the floor before she could even blink.

It must be some kind of demon technique since Nao could hear a biwa being struck every time the room changes.

The first instances always had her fainting because of how much blood there was until it became a frequent occurence that Nao doesn't even bat her eyelashes anymore when there's suddenly a corpse on the floor.

Of course, the sight still disturbs her and it left her clinging to Muzan afterwards, basically the only person she coult trust inside that place.

Now that Nao could mull over it and think it over, she was slowly understanding how Muzan was manipulating her to get what he wants.

He doesn't answer her questions and would say a lot of vague things.. Nao doesn't want to overthink it but it seems that Muzan doesn't plan on ever letting her go since he doesn't even mention anything about the outside world.

He doesn't tell Nao how much time has passed, what kind of medicine he's been giving her and it took her quite a long while before he even admitted that it contains his blood.

It's a wonder Nao hasn't turn into a demon. The only good thing that came out of drinking those medicines was the fact that her curse mark was now gone.

Nao still has her doubts but she could now breath easy and once, when she stared at her chest while she was bathing, the small area where the rot was spreading suddenly disappeared.

Atleast she was physically fine now, her hair was longer too..

It made Nao want to cut it again, just to find a semblance of normality in her life. But what would Muzan say..?

Nao frowned.

"Why would I care what Muzan thinks of my hair..." She mumbled, twirling a few stray strands on her finger.

Muzan doesn't seem very vain when it comes to appearances but he's always been quite touchy when it came to his pale complexion.

It's as if anything related to being sick set him off. Nao learned never to talk about it infront of him because Muzan would suddenly be in a very dark mood, to the point he'd send Nao away to her room, almost as if he's avoiding the fact that he could hurt Nao when he's angry.

Nao really doesn't want to overthink things but she's always been aware of the possibility of Muzan hurting her. He was a demon afterall. The first friend she ever befriended sold her off to a demon so Nao knows how creepy violent and dangerous they are.

Muzan seems very in control though but that was before he found out about Nao's awareness.

Now that she knew of him being a demon, he doesn't seem very inclined to hide his true nature anymore especially since it was Nao who accepted him as who he is.

Nao wanted to befriend him afterall. And now they were past that point since they've gotten quite closer with each other.

But Nao has started having her doubts, a few days after realizing her own feelings. She didn't want to mistake her curiosity and longing for feelings of love afterall.

She really wanted to be sure that she loves Muzan from the bottom of her heart. If she was wrong then Nao would end up hurting themselves for it.

The day he came to her life has always been something that Nao remembers since he was the very first demon who didn't attempt to eat her.

He helped her despite the semantics and platitudes he said.

He even walked her back to her manor.

That alone was enough to trigger her curiosity despite the danger Nao was in.

Then Muzan met with her every time she sneaks out at night, Nao knows it isn't a coincidence but she was too far gone to go back.

She wanted him beside her.

He was the missing piece to her puzzle and if she was going to end up dead afterwards then it was worth risking her already short life.

Nao has already accepted the fact that she would die someday, sooner than most people and she was no longer afraid of death but rather, being unable to experience her life to the fullest.

Nao doesn't care if he manipulates her feelings into getting what he wants. Nao could look pass that as long as he stays with her.

Life in the manor was nothing compared to the life outside it and the moments she shared with Muzan, the demon she met during that one festival was enough to make her feel as if she was more than just a sick person with a short life.

She believes in him despite how violent his true nature is and he's one of the only few people who has ever really cared at all, not because she was Ubuyashiki Naomi, the younger sister of the Oyakata-sama but because she was Nao.. naive and cheerful Nao who knows when people lie just by looking into their eyes.

She doesn't care as long as Muzan was with her, demon or not. She doesn't  even care if Giyuu rarely talk before, as long as she could trust these people then that was enough.

Nao was selfish because she was alone for so long and she would exercise her selfishness for as long as she can..

The consequences can be dealed with later.

Though thinking about it right now, she didn't take into account how those consequences could easily upset the balance and trigger a multitude of events that would later threaten her life and the Demon Slayer Corps.

♤♡◇♧

"What is Muzan searching for?" Muzan always did focused too much on his work. He's always been busy inside his lab and with the bits of knowledge that Nao have regarding herbs, poison and medicine, she could tell that he was trying to find something or make something.

Whatever it was, it seemed really important to him despite Muzan's face remaining blank and detached.

"An important ingredient. "He said in a toneless voice, both of his hands currently occupied as they held two vials of different color.

So it really is important, Nao mused, watching the two vials together attentively.

'...This smell... hydrangea..? And higanbana...' She thought while trying to make up why the scent of flowers was strong in this lab.

"What ingredient....?" Nao asked out of curiosity. What could he possibly want to do with flowers?

Muzan paused, as if he was debating whether to tell her or not. Nao almost raised a brow at the pause but any words she was about to say was cut off when Muzan spoke.

His answer was definitely not what she expected.

"The Blue Spider Lily. It is a rare species of its kind." He simplified.

Nao's eyes widened a little, her curiosity overtaking her and dozens of questions rose on her mind until she managed to settle for one that will give her a definite answer...

"And Muzan is looking for it because..?" Nao trailed off.

..or not.

"It'll help me rid of my problems."

Nao wanted to frown at how easily he evaded saying the real answer though even without staring into his eyes, he wasn't lying.

The blue spider lilies was something he really needed and the fact that he doesn't want to share his uses for it shows exactly what a touchy subject it is for him.

It's a surprise that he even entertained her question.

But that rare species was indeed very rare afterall and Nao has only read it from the temple before, inside an old book that was written by a deceased doctor from a long time ago.

She didn't really read all of it because it was immediately confiscated away from her, the priest who found her, burning the book immediately, much to her horror.

Ever since then, Nao has never encountered anything about the Blue Spider Lilies and most people say that it was nothing but a myth.

To think that someone like Muzan has beem searching for it..

It really must be important since he's looking for it even though it is nothing but a myth. That didn't stop Nao from chucking though since looking for a mythical flower seemed like a waste of time.

There wasn't even a guarantee that it could be found.

"Muzan would find it very hard to obtain the Blue Spider Lily."

Muzan raised a brow, his expression not changing as he raised his gaze to look at her laughing form.

Nao's cheeks were probably dusted red while a demure hand was resting on her mouth, as if to stifle the laughter coming from her mouth.

"And why is that?" Muzan asked and Nao could not believe the tone of curiosity he was using, almost as if he was slightly offended.

Of course it was already a given that finding those flowers would prove to be difficult and her laughing at this probably didn't help it.

Nao finally calmed down, not wanting to chance on the fact that he would get angry if she continues to laugh.

"Why does Nao-san think that a being such as myself would have trouble finding a mere flower?" Muzan stated, emphasizing just how he sees himself as perfect in every way.

This always did make Nao smile since his confidence was nothing she has ever seen before, almost to the point of arrogance and narcissism. It was annoying if you would look at it but she finds it amusing how he was always so sure of himself, not once doubting anything about him. Nao has always wanted to have his confidence, wishing that she could be as strong as him in so many way.s

Nao just smiled at his question, not wanting to voice her thoughts.

"Because blue spider lilies only bloom during the day and they lasts upto two to three days." Nao said in a nonchalant manner as if it was common knowledge already.

Even Yui knows about the myth of the blue spider lilies so Nao isn't really surprised that it came up. She's known about it ever since she was eight.

But then there was absolute silence in the air.

Muzan dropped the cylinders he was holding and his face whipped so fast to face Nao that she yelped in surprise when he was suddenly infront of her, hands immediately holding her down on the floor.

Her lavender eyes were wide from his sudden movement of pinning her down.

"M-Muzan?" Nao whimpered lowly, lips parted while looking at him.

Muzan's expression darkened as a feral smile crept on his face, his eyes redder than ever as the veins in his body emphasized from the sudden rush his blood was feeling.

His mouth opened to speak and his words were said in a low growl.

"During the day, huh?"

Nao could only scream as he changed infront of her because this person with red eyes that are vertical like a cat's is no ordinary demon.

He was no human but a dangerous predator that was at the top of the hierarchy of food chain and he knows that he is just by the dark and murderous aura seeping from him, and the cruel, viscious smirk on his lips as his elongated fangs were proudly in display.

He knows he's dangerous. And he knows what he wants.

Nao just isn't sure if she could give it to him.