#Naraku's tag pending bc I can't come up w something good enough yet :/

[cryopathiic-a]

By now, he had come to expect that reaction out of Douma. Laying out a little bait and then feigning surprise when Naraku took it. But, if the third moon cared, he didn't show it. He never showed much of anything, really.

" I fail to see why that would matter. But, I do promise to behave. "

Oh, but they both knew how that usually went. But, it could be a fun date, if they were to go behind the Master's back to hunt down hashira, they should enjoy themselves at the very least.

His countenance darkens as malice seeps into his expression, coating his rich voice with poison.

"Now. I did learn something from Gyokko. The location of a certain place of interest in the Master's eyes. If we seize the opportunity, we'll have a good night... and bring something back to show for it."

The scandalized impression does not last long. No sooner had Upper Two's claws brushed over his own bottom lip than an impalpable gasp faded into obscurity. That is as much time as Dōma had afforded to honoring his faith. The pensive sigh he had let out whilst reminiscing over his last encounter with a pillar did not fall on deaf ears.

It was a nice reprieve from the gloominess of eternal dissatisfaction.

❝ Of course it matters! ❞ Comes the playful protest. There's that boyish giggle under his words that the third moon's presence often seems to elicit. And the subsequent nudge from one shoulder to the other as the priest shifts a little closer. Not yet dangerously so. ❝ You know I don't like to put ugly things in my mouth. And some of those pillars really don't bathe as often as they need to, so when I happen upon a cute one, I really think I should get to enjoy it. ❞

It must be the relentless training regimen. He found it quite sad, that these humans would devote their entire lives to having a silver of a chance at injuring one of their kin. Only the weak spawn had something to fear from them. A true demon... a true demon does not feel fear.

❝ And I promise you, that promise will be bro-oh-ken~ ❞ Dōma sings, with a gentle rock from side to side. If either of them knew how to stay in line, this conversation would have never happened. Even if Upper Two goes to great lengths to frame it as someone else's idea... it had been on his mind for some time.

What would it be like, if it was just the two of them outside of Master's domain? Out there, in the real world; where things happen. He has heard so many recounts of nights like that from his flock. Nights under the moonlight, on an empty street or the forest's threshold, with whispers exchanged under the cover of darkness, promises and... secrets.

The word brought a flutter to his chest.

And he was quick to dismiss it with a hard swallow, his hand coming to rest sacrilegiously close to his companion's as he relays his scheme. Because, of course there was a scheme. Leave it to Naraku to come prepared for that; always. If Dōma was the spark, Naraku was the visionary and sometimes vice-versa. And in that way it was very apparent why this dance of theirs had been forbidden.

He would not question the Lord's whims. But as of late... he had not been respecting them as devoutedly as expected, either. Though there was always an outlier to fall back on, in case they got caught. Hunting for pillars was part of their duties, after all.

Pale lips curl mischievously, his eyes slanting in tandem. Milking Gyokko for information was a favored past-time; and it seems his habits were rubbing off on Upper Three as well.

❝ Naraku! ❞ The faux scandalized tone is almost comical to watch. Coupled with the way Upper Two rolls some white gold strands off of his own shoulder and bends closer with a spirited smirk. ❝ If I didn't know better, I would have thought you had this all planned out from the start. Are you looking to take me aside? ❞ The quirk in his brow and the nuance of a flirt are a stark contrast to his solemn companion; and yet that rigidity seems to have done naught but rile the younger oni up even more.

For some reason, a subtle curl on those poisonous lips has become somewhat of an achievement nowadays. Something to be earned.

❝ Fine. Sounds like a plan. Let's meet by my temple's gate after sunset. ❞

He would... need some time to prepare for this 'hunt'.