PROMPT 7: if you still have some slots open, could you do protective zenitsu? can be either established relationship or pre, whichever you prefer o3o
When they finally emerge back in the Ubuyashiki estate, it's in ruins.
Burnt to a crisp from the blast, it takes the nearly nonexistent remains of the frame unhinging from its place and nearly crushing both Zenitsu and Murata for the scene to finally register. Kanao is beginning to breathe a little too hard than what is healthy but no one else seems to notice. Zenitsu doesn't bring it up. Too preoccupied with scouring over the fallen wood, it's Inosuke who shouts out his triumph. "FINALLY…! That dumb building is no match for us!"
"Speak for yourself before including the rest of us in your statement." Zenitsu utters under his breath. No kidding…! His skin was killing him and his legs felt like butter! Still, they were all alive (alive!). The boar man lets out a gigantic huff, making a big show of turning away from the blond completely. "Hey-! I BEG OF YOU NOT TO IGNORE ME LIKE THAT! It hurts my feelings, you know?!"
Murata sighs from where he was supporting half of his weight. "Zenitsu-san… you say that but you're pretty scary yourself."
Weirdly, for once, Zenitsu can't say he doesn't remember what he means. The truth of the matter was that he had fought. He had battled alongside everyone else without passing out, held thunder at the tips of his fingers like he was born to kill. That was all him. He'd looked Kaigaku in the eye and called him the absolute scum of the earth. Kaigaku, an upper moon who no doubt slain his fair share of humans. The one who sent that scum to hell was him. Zenitsu did all of that. Yet. It wasn't him at the same time. He's not sure how to voice any of that. So, he stays silent.
No one has time to question him, for a fifth and decidedly calming voice suddenly sounds from somewhere adjacent to their group. "Z-Zenitsu…! Inosuke…!"
"TANJIROU!" "MONJIROU!"
Suddenly, everything- their circumstance, their upcoming battle- is okay again. They can do this! It's six against one. At the two figures of Giyuu and Tanjirou running towards them, one exuding the sound of wind chimes in the breeze, hope rises in the sound of all of them. Zenitsu can hear it. Like a symphony played between them all relieved to see the others safe. With the other side weakened, with none of them able to hold back the smiles on their faces, it feels like everything will be all right—
It's over in a second.
It was like Muzan was god and the earth was his domain. All it took was a simple snap of his fingers and any life form on it was dead at his very will. If they were any less skilled, that would've been the case. Even still, the man lands on the concrete and faces all six of their bodies.
They lay motionless and barely clinging to life on the asphalt. Inosuke is crushed under a boulder. Kanao hangs limply from a tree where a branch had stabbed her in the eye. Giyuu floats face-down in the garden pond as a stray blade from another demon slayer had embedded itself in his elbow. Zenitsu faces the sky and has a beam lodged barely missing his gut. Murata is the worst off, with his stomach spilled open next to a well and eyes glossy.
Their heartbeats were almost faded. The sight is pitiful.
But the one most pitiful was the woman by his feet. Tamayo gags, coughing and confused. "H-How…?"
"You want to know, before the inevitable moment that you pass?" He looks down, not even blinking. "Considering our previous encounter, I don't think that's very reasonable of you."
She doesn't say anything, ashamed at her failure.
The woman isn't worth much anymore. She knows it. He knows it. Perhaps, Muzan muses, he can give her one last show before landing the finishing blow. Walking five steps forward, there's a spot in the grass that remained untouched in the chaos. In the center, there's an unconscious Kamado Tanjirou. He's unhurt but not miraculously. After all, how else would Muzan have his fun if he killed him too quickly?
So, he reaches out a single hand, ready to gouge out a pretty red eye—
When a blink of lightning passes his neck.
Like he was simply inconvenienced by a fly landing on his shoulder, Muzan bent his arm up in front of him to block the blow. His sleeve rips but skin only suffers a small cut. He turns. Sure enough, there's an ugly blemish of yellow behind him. Zenitsu clutches the hilt of his sword with white knuckles. It hurts. Everything is in pain. He feels like passing out, but with all of the experience he had in fighting near the realm of sleep, he plows through. The wound in his body is agonizing but it's not enough to stop him from facing his adversary with the darkest tone his voice ever mustered.
"Don't touch him."
"I see." Muzan brushes off his shoulder. It took naught but that one strike for him to read his opponent's intentions and feelings like a book. "How admirable of you. Protecting the one you love…"
Zenitsu doesn't say anything. He doesn't think anything except kill, kill, don't let Tanjirou die, kill, I'm scared, I'm dead, kill, die, blood, this is the end, I'm a goner, protect Tanjirou, kill. His breathing calms, grasping the sparks of thunder. Eyes shine golden under the moonlight.
He's full of the will to live. It's a shame that the Kamado kid can't witness it for himself. Muzan laments for all of a second before becoming bored at the sentiment. Then, sharpening his nails, he voices his next command as the god of this world.
"Die."
And no one disobeys Muzan Kibutsuji.