Trapped
Summary: They had an unexpected addition to their team during that mission.
Notes: Based on the tumblr prompt 'being locked in a room or trapped in a small space'. Not too sure about the title, though.
The mission had turned out to be a little bit trickier than they had expected.
The demon's blood art trapped others to small spaces, like boxes or cupboards.
Tanjirou, Zenitsu and Inosuke had gone to face off the demon in question only to get captured themselves, much to their dismayed embarrassement.
'Well, it can't be helped.' Tanjirou thought, 'I wonder if I can use the Dance in here…? I was lucky I was trapped alone, but it feels a little crammed with Nezuko's box…'
And then the door opened and another human-shaped form was thrown in.
Instictively, Tanjirou wrapped his arms around the figure, trying to minimize any bumping.
"Well, this is awkward." said a very familiar voice.
"Shinobu-san?" Tanjirou blinked.
"Ah, Tanjirou-kun. How are you?" the Insect Pillar asked, airily.
"Well enough, thank you. How are you?"
"Could be better, could be better. At least the company is nice."
"A-ah, thank you." Tanjirou blushed, "Likewise."
"Have you any way to get out of here?" Shinobu asked.
"I was wondering if using my family's Dance could help, seeing as it's fire based and this is made out of wood…"
"What about Nezuko-chan's box?"
"Since it's behind me, I was thinking of a forward strike and hoping it'd work." he replied sheepishly.
"And with me litterally in your arms, things are a little more complicated." Shinobu said.
"Ah, sorry about that, Shinobu-san."
"It's all right. I just wish I got a hug from you under better circumstances."
"Ah…eh…" Tanjirou blushed and poceeded to hide his face on Shinobu's shoulder.
Shinobu chuckled softly.
"You think we could move about a bit so I can come behind you?" she asked after a moment, "So your hands are free?"
"Well, we can try?" he didn't sound too sure about it, concidering Nezuko's box and the really tight space they were trapped in.
"All right then. Let me just…" Shinobu kneeled down.
"Shi-Shinobu-san?"
"For once in my life I am glad I am not tall." she said, amused, as she shuffled backwards, kneeling under Nezuko's box, "Think you can try an attack like this, Tanjirou-kun?"
"We'll see."
Tanjirou drew in a deep breath, hand on his sword, leaning slightly forward and then drew the sword, in an upward fire-slash.
The wood splintered and Tanjirou rushed forth, quickly flipped in the air to deliver the Setting Sun taking the demon by surprise and cutting its head off.
Shinobu was watching, curious.
Tanjirou sat down, breathing hard.
"Are you okay?" he asked, looking towards her.
"Not a scratch. You look tired, Tanjirou-kun."
"The Dance of the Fire God. It's hard on the lungs. It's a difficult Breath."
Just then, another box nearby popped open and Zenitsu and Inosuke spilled out.
"WE ARE ALIVE!" Zenitsu cried, "TANJIROU! WHY DID I HAVE TO BE STUCK WITH INOSUKE? HE WAS MEAN AND HE HIT ME!" the blonde Slayer cried, falling on Tanjirou.
"Because you wouldn't let me attack the damn box and get us out!" Inosuke shouted at Zenitsu.
"You were trying to use me as a battering ram!" Zenitsue shouted back, holding on to Tanjirou.
"I couldn't use my swords! I had to use something else!"
"How about your empty head, then!"
"Guys…come on, we're all out now, right?" Tanjirou said with a calming voice, "By the way, Shinobu-san, how come and you're here?"
"I was returning from a mission. And since I was closest, I was asked to assist." the Insect Pillar smiled, "Though it seems Tanjirou-kun had things under control."
"A-ah, thank you, Shinobu-san." he blushed lightly.
"Well, then, mission accomplised." she clapped her hands, "Any injuries?"
Checking themselves quickly, the three Slayers shook their heads.
"There is a crest house nearby, you should go rest."
"What about you, Shinobu-san?" Tanjirou wondered, "Are you going to continue alone in the night?"
Shinobu tilted her head to the side.
"Are you worried, Tanjirou-kun?" she asked, a teasing glint in her eyes.
"I just thought…traveling with friends would be more fun."
"If you would have me, then."
"We're alright with it." Zenitsu said happily.
"Do whatever." Inosuke huffed.
"Then, it's settled." Tanjirou smiled, getting to his feet.
The four Demon Slayers took off towards the crest house.
Zenitsu was the first one to lay down, claiming he was too tired from the fight, earning a long string of insults from Inosuke, who in turn earned a pillow from the blonde. Tanjirou was quick to stop any fighting that could have broken out between them, claiming that they all were a little bit tired and sleeping was the best way to get ready for the next fight.
"Are they always like that?" Shinobu asked amused, as the two teens were glaring at each other.
Nezuko had come out of her box and had decided to use her lap as a pillow, much to the Insect Pillar's shock. Tanjirou had sent a soft smile to his sister at that.
"Pretty much." he smiled at Shinobu, as he returned Zenitsu his pillow and pushed Inosuke to his futon, "Nezuko, let Shinobu-san get her rest, too." he called his sister, preparing her futon in a side the sun wouldn't reach her.
Shinobu watched as Tanjirou then proceeded to place his beside Nezuko, as an extra measure to avoid sun exposure.
"Shinobu-san isn't tired?" Tanjirou asked, looking over at the Insect Pillar.
"I'll lay down in a bit. Sleep well." she smiled.
"Sleep well." he smiled back.
There was a faintly familiar scent. Tanjirou's nose twitched. But not something he was used to everyday.
Slowly he opened his eyes.
The first thing he noticed was the color. It was purple.
He blinked and slowly sat up, rubbing his eyes. Then he looked at his side again.
A butterfly hair clip was set between his futon and the one beside his. The color he saw was the hair clip and Shinobu-san's hair falling on her face.
There was a rustle from behind him and he turned to see Nezuko had woken up.
"Good morning, Nezuko." he whispered, patting her head with a soft smile.
Nezuko looked over his shoulder.
Tanjirou looked back, then outside.
"Better not wake Shinobu-san and the others yet. It's still early." he whispered.
Nezuko nodded, patted her brother's head and went back inside her box.
Tanjirou gathered her futon, then his and went to sit by the window.
Something made him stop beside Shinobu, though.
She was frowning.
Tanjirou kneeled beside her and softly ran his hand through her hair, pushing the lock that had fallen over her face back as he did.
Shinobu sighed and the frown eased, turning her face towards Tanjirou's hand.
Tanjirou blushed.
He staid a second longer, then moved away, not wanting to wake her up just yet.
Inosuke was the next to wake up and along with him the rest of the house, as he returned to consciousness with a shout.
Zenitsu screamed in fear and shot out of his futon, while Shinobu's first instict was to reach for her sword.
"Good morning, Shinobu-san!" Tanjirou said brightly, "I should have probably warned you about that." he added sheepishly, looking at his two friends.
"Nothing like the rush of adrenaline too early in the morning to wake you up." she smiled at the two boys, who in turn started sweating.
"We are very sorry." they said in unison.
"You get used to it." Tanjirou grinned, "I'm more surprised Zenitsu is still getting scared from Inosuke's awakening."
"There is nothing normal with a wild animal screaming beside you!" Zenitsu called.
"There isn't?" Tanjirou blinked.
Zenitsu starred.
"What."
"I lived in the mountains, so I guess hearing wild animals' calls was normal for us." he said, a hand resting on Nezuko's box, "It wasn't surprising to run into bears on our way to and from the village."
"Bears?"
"They tended to avoid humans, really, but once in a while…" Tanjirou said, thoughtfully.
After breakfast, they thanked their host and went on their way.
Halfway to the Butterfly Estate, Tennouji brought him their next mission.
"Message for Kamado Tanjirou! Cra! Demons! Cra! Go West! Cra! West I tell you! Cra!"
"Thank you for the message, Tennouji." the young Slayer smiled.
"Go West!"
Tanjirou, Zenitsu and Inosuke turned to say goodbye to Shinobu.
"Have a safe trip." she smiled.
"Thank you, Shinobu-san! You, too!" Tanjirou bowed and turned to West.
"West! Cra! Go West!" Tennouji was shouting.
"We're going you black chicken!" Inosuke shouted, earning the a few hard pecks on the head from the crow.
Zenitsu had covered his ears, to muffle the sound as much as possible.
Tanjirou laughed quietly.