Uzui’s Fourth Wife: Chapter 9
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He couldn’t even bare to look at himself, any type of reflection he fled. His crow never returned to him that day it happened. He would’ve preferred death but that would’ve gotten you killed in the end. Riku took a form slightly different from what he looked like as a human. His hair still dark as the night his eyes instead of hazel burned a bright yellow with lines as pupils. Through his will, he maintained all his memories of being a human, but with those memories brought him pain. He would never allow you to see him again, he vowed to himself that he would never let you get close to him again.
But with Riku maintaining his awareness of who he was he held great malice against Muzan plotting a way to kill him. Muzan kept his distance from Riku even after turning him into a demon because he still feared he would hold onto his humanity. But Riku played the part, acting as though he didn’t remember a single thing. He wouldn’t hunt people tho, only eating the blood of animals but luckily Muzan didn’t keep and eye on him to know something was different.
Riku was ashamed, disgusted, and horrified of what he became. His parents would never see him again, his sisters would never see him again, and you, you’d never see him again either. Eventually you’d forget about him, live your life with Uzui to the end. At least that’s what he hoped for. His chest ached at the thought. Would he eventually forget your face? How beautiful you are and how angelic your voice was to him? He shut his eyes tight bringing his knees up to his chest rutting his face into his hands. “If I was just stronger I could’ve defeated Akaza. I could’ve went on as a demon slayer and kept her safe even from afar” Riku mumbled to himself.
“Oh Riku don’t bum around and cry. Fight me. We can train for eternity” Akaza said, crossing his arms.
“Lady Y/n you must rest. Lord Tengen said to not let you get up!” Naho whined pulling on your clothes to try and stop you from walking. Her feet dragging across the wood “Sumi! Kiyo! Help me. Her will power is too strong” Naho yelled. Sumi and Kiyo stood at the open doorway “lady y/n you will not get through us!” Sumi huffed, pointing at you.
“Girls, girls let her be. Some fresh air would do her good” Uzui lowly said, his head peeking around the corner as he held his hands behind his back. “First you say don’t let her go and now you're saying to let her go. Make up your mind!” Naho groaned, releasing you from her grip. “I appreciate you three tending to my wounds. I just want to go out and walk the estate” you smiled softly. “Now Uzui what do you have behind your back” you furrowed your brows.
He knew you hated surprises but he was hoping to leave these with you while you slept but he should’ve known you’d be up on your feet in no time. Pulling the bouquet of your favorite type of flowers from behind his back. Your cheeks flushed pink as he handed the flowers off to you. Taking a deep breath to smell them you smiled widely “Thank you, are you trying to butter me up for something” you raised a brow. “Me? Butter you up? No. Just thought you’d enjoy some flowers being stuck in this room.
He was trying to butter you up but only for the purpose of him needing to tell you what some of the demon slayers have gotten sight of. His stomach bubbled with anxiety, you were healing but how would you take the news that your lover turned into a demon. Even if you were supposed to marry Uzui soon that didn’t change your feelings for Riku and Uzui knew that. He wasn’t going to force or fight your feelings for him or fight your feelings for Riku away. He just hoped one day you’d love him the same way he loved you.
He bit his tongue at every opportunity to tell you what happened that night but every time he’d try to speak you’d look at him and smile and not wanting to see you break he held in what he needed to say.
You held onto his arm walking through the estate enjoying the scenery. Talking to one another trying to gain more of a friendship than anything. You asked about his life growing up, his siblings, how he met the other wives, and he asked you similar questions but truthfully already knowing the majority of the answers. Stopping at some low hanging trees you sat onto the grass. “I haven’t seen Riku’s crow spying on me in awhile. I hope everything is ok” you said aloud.
Uzui’s face twisting into a frown before he sat beside you. “I know I can't make you promise to not get upset but please do not run off. You are still healing” he spoke.
Your heart already sinking to your stomach as your chest tightened. Uzui grabbed your hand placing something cold into your palm. His hand hesitates to move off of yours. You stared at him but he looked away skidding his warm palms off yours. Looking down at your hand you saw Riku’s necklace, one that you recall he would never take off.
Pain ripping through your throat as your mind reeled for an answer “Where did you get this…? WHERE DID YOU GET THIS TENGEN?” Silence, he didn’t know where to start, your mind already putting the pieces together. Riku was really there that night, why couldn’t you remember it? Did you really lose that much blood? Why did you have his necklace that was passed down generation to generation? Your hand shook as tears threatened to stream down your cheeks.
Uzui sat there holding his hands together trying to gain the courage to talk. “Y/n, Riku gave it to you before he left. When you got taken his crow was still watching you and told him, I was too weak to protect you and put you into danger. Once he arrived we searched for you and when we finally did you were in a cave bleeding while a demon named Akaza made a wager. Riku becomes a demon and you get to live. Riku agreed to these terms and Akaza let him take you back to the butterfly estate before he had to return. Riku didn’t leave your side till the nurses patched you up and assured him you’d be fine. I wasn’t trying to eavesdrop so I didn’t hear what he said to you while you slept but he rested his necklace onto your chest and then he left. There has been sighting of a new demon amongst the uppermoons..”
The last sentence ringing through your ears before your vision began to go blurry with tears.
The dreams or nightmares you’ve been having were true. It would always start off with you running through a dark area, getting hurt and Riku showing up. Each time he’d carry you back to your bed addressing your wounds before laying beside you pulling you into his arms, your nose filling up with his scent your chest heaving into relaxation knowing you were safe but then he’d tell you “it is time for me to go my love. Please stay safe and keep this safe for me okay?” Riku said, putting his necklace into your hand. A soft smiling across his lips before he peeked your forehead and stroking your cheek one last time. “Are you coming back?” You asked but no response as you watched him walk through the doorway. Your calls for him no longer reaching him.
“It’s been quite awhile since we’ve had an Alpin in our possession. You know your family is quite strong willed and regardless of my orders no other demon can go against they somehow always did. I hope with you I’ll break that.” Muzan said, tapping his foot on the floor as he stared Riku down.
“Such a stubborn bloodline” Akaza chimed in.
Riku kept his head down, there was no point in fighting. He knew regardless of his lineage he was still no match for Muzan, there was no point right now to go against him and with the threat still lingering if he tried anything they’d go after his family next. “Isn’t it a shame you can’t have your crow spy on that scum of a human you hold so dear” Akaza teased, making Riku snap his head to him.
“There we go” Akaza grumbled, getting into his fighting stance. Muzan just sat there resting his head into his hand watching Riku get onto his feet, his eyes glowing more and more yellow. Muzan watched bored as Riku and Akaza destroyed the remaining parts of the hideout. The thought lingering in his mind if he would finally achieve a blood art that his ancestors would always achieve. Muzan now just had to figure out how he could remove Riku’s humanity.
Your eyes felt heavy as you slowly blinked, Uzui held you close to his chest as he walked back to the estate. “You're awake, I’m glad. You need to apply a towel to your eyes when we arrive. His warmth was comforting as you drifted back into a daze.
Your mind going to a much simpler time. It was a rainy day making you stay in your room moping around from the gloomy feeling. The floorboards creaking the closer Riku walked towards you, his steps through the window were always too quiet till he approached you in hopes that he wouldn’t startle you. Picking your head up from your pillow a wide grin grew on your face as he sat beside you. “Why do glum? Isn’t the sound beautiful?” He said, closing his eyes to enjoy the rain some more. “I suppose it is” you said closing your eyes as well. The sound making you feel relaxed.
When you opened your eyes again he was laying beside you his face inches away from yours. Your heart began to race when his eyes opened and he stared right back at you. “Y/n, can you smile for me?” Riku asked, putting his hand onto your cheek his thumb rubbing in circles.
Your cheeks blushed as you softly smiled, he chuckled to himself before kissing your forehead. Spending the rest of the day beside you till it stopped raining and he’d leave out the window only to knock on the estates doors to ask your father if you were able to go out for food with him.
Your father would send your ladies to you to have you dress and they were surprised you were already ready. Riku couldn’t help but smile when he watched you exit the house, holding out his hand to you to grab. Helping you down the steps you waved off your father before you walked to the village.
All the older women of the village would gossip to one another saying things like “there goes the two love birds” “when will they marry?” Making Riku’s cheeks and yours turn a hue of pink.
Once he picked the place he would want to eat at he’d pull you into the building as quick as possible and telling you which foods were amazing that you had to try. By the end of the dinner you were stuffed and ready for a nap. Riku would pay the bill and the two of you would just talk till you worked off the food coma. He loved making you laugh and loved seeing you smile. Your laugh making him feel warm inside “how is everything she does is so cute” he’d think to himself.
A single tear running down your cheek as you cherished the memory of how he looked and scared of what he looked like now. How painful this must all be for him.
Wonderful thanks to @Noburrra_ and @sighcard on Twitter. I commissioned two of my friends to draw Riku for us! He looks so good.