In that room it was slightly difficult to know if the dawn had bathed the place or not, the window of closed curtains filtered only a thread of light, enough not to blindly tempt. Tanjirou had spent one of the most relaxed and peaceful nights in a long time, comfortable. It had been very restful, without having moved an inch. Instead, Inosuke had been spinning thousands of times, wrinkling, rolling and unsettling the sheets. It was not for something special, it was an unconscious habit to move while sleeping. If he stirred like crazy it meant that he was enjoying the dream deeply, on the loose. He ended up uncovering both of them a little, making the sheet fit just above the hips on both of them. He had turned around, facing the redhead, and had passed a leg over him, like an arm, hooking like a koala to a branch. They were glued, skin to skin, there was no front area that was free from touching the opposite. The larger hand had not left that pale waist all night despite the constant movements. A pair of eyes widened, trying to focus between the blur and haze of newly activated pupils. They blinked slowly and froze, pinned to that sleeping face covered in unruly strands of red, as if someone had tousled them by force. His mind was still half void. He closed his heavy lashed eyelids again and snuggled in, hiding his head slightly under the opposite chin. It wasn't because he wanted to feel protected, never. It was because he gave off a pleasant heat that filled his senses of well-being, and obviously, he would take advantage of everything that was pleasant. Immediately, he fell back into the clutches of sleep, imprisoned by the warmth that the darker-skinned body gave off.

The hours passed and the morning was making its way. It was the swordsman's turn to emerge from the glorious and calm trance. He visualized the top of an angel's head, just below his chin. Felt that light breath crash against his chest, giving him little tickles on his skin. He was grateful that they still wanted to keep the demon on the estate day and night because of his condition. Kissed his head and left the lips there for a while, inhaling the fresh scent of nature. He slid the hand he planted over the other's waist down to his lower back and pressed it closer to him, if possible. He seemed so small. And was not mistaken. Inosuke was perfectly capable of getting his muscles back, but compared to his, would no longer be similar or more noticeable, he would continue to be tiny next to him. Was sure that when it happened, he would get a tantrum and start hitting him and throwing random objects at him. Smiled a funny smile when he imagined him so comically angry. He felt complete, his soul and heart did not long for anything, they were fulfilled and satisfied, could die right there and would not care, he had already achieved maximum happiness, what was most desired in life on a personal level. Rubbed his back with an affection worthy of the most perfect lover. Loved to touch him, no matter the way. He was convinced that they were predestined to meet. No one else was in that abandoned demon of drumbs house. Only him, as if he had been waiting for the presence of Tanjirou. And contrary to what he believed would happen, Inosuke did not go his own way, but followed him with a notorious obsession to get his attention and fight. So much so that the simple fact of asking Zenitsu that time what futon he preferred, pissed off the wild man greatly when he found himself in the midst of an attack of jealousy. He ended up throwing a pillow at the blond without blaming him for anything, just to get the redhead's attention before him. Now that she thought about it, there were signs from the beginning and he hadn't caught them. Felt a little idiotic.

Only a few more minutes to be hunted in the wild by those colorful and crystalline eyes. Red heat rose to his cheeks, caught in a slight embarrassing modesty. Stopped exerting force on his paler lower back, allowing their bodies to separate at a more decent distance. His head came out of the wonderful trance of love and his common sense was reactivated, realizing how gravely intimate the situation was, and above all, that of the previous night. How had he gotten carried away like this? At what point did he acquire such passionate behavior? Was confused, excited and embarrassed. It was not for less, his experience was poor, he was only 15 years old, and his way of being left no room for desires, much less carnal. But it was done, and it didn't really seem bad to him. He didn't regret it that much, to say the least.

"Gonpachiro?..." That strangely calm and relaxed tone activated the redhead's alarms.

"Y-yes?..."

Silence, rainbow and emerald against powerful flames.

"I KILL YOU!" he screeched, as red as the other, or even more. It took barely a thousandth of a second to straddle him to begin hitting him with all his might.

"Sorry!" and the swordsman covered himself with his arms, without receiving any type of damage thanks to the little strength of the other.

"I TOLD-YOU-THAT-IS-NOT-EATEN!" he shouted, pausing between each word to insert a hit. "DIRTY, DIRTY!"

Tanjirou suddenly stopped his assaults simply by taking his wrists up in the air. But he continued to be attacked by the aggressiveness of that scowl and full of other boy's shame. He was not in a better condition.

"I already said I'm sorry! You-...!"He got much more nervous. "You seemed to like it and I-!"

"LIE!" he screeched very close to his face, almost bursting his eardrums. "L-lie..." it wasn't. "WAS TERRIBLE!"

And the redhead knew it, was aware that Inosuke was not being honest. He didn't even need to smell anything, it was too obvious. But made as if he believed him, putting into action his typical and ephemeral plan to get him to confess for himself. Sighed loudly.

"Okay... I won't do it again if it's so horrible."

Something seemed to creak inside the demon, who withdrew his annoyed expression and was left static, blocked under the slightly tricky reddish eyes.

"No!" a second after listening... "I mean, yes!" or maybe... "AAAAHHHH, STUPID MONJIRO!" He tried to wriggle out of the grasp.

"Just relax. There's no need to lie... Any opinion is fine, it's just that." His calm voice seemed to have its effect on the other's wild behavior. Heard him growl with indecision and annoyance before anything else. Was surprised when, by loosening his wrists, Inosuke only took the opportunity to cover his reddish eyes with the hands. "Inosuke, what are you doing?" He received no reply, but could hear the irregular breathing of the other kid, smell his unease. The demon held his posture, releasing the facial muscles from his face and leaving a shy grimace that no one could witness.

"You did a very strange thing..." He cocked the head instinctively. "But it felt... good..." They both felt their hearts race as if they had been wound. The redhead could feel the tension in the pale thighs tightening around his own waist. "I don't care if you do it again at another time. But I also want to, and I will do better than you!" He released Tanjirou's stunned eyes early enough so that he could witness the savage sink and disappear under the sheet, leaving the redhead in a confused state.

"Where are you going, Ino-? closed the mouth, stifling an exclamation and holding the breath. The red of his cheeks increased as his body heat, bathed in a wave of wellness mixed with lava. Inosuke was... Took the edge of the sheet with his trembling hand and lifted it slowly, as if afraid to see inside. Locked gazes with those bright eyes that had lifted in his direction as one of his pale hands supported that thing, small for now. The fingertips of each other stroked the length, tempting the blood to take an exciting and speedy journey. "Oh god..." muttered to himself, as if he couldn't believe that the situation was happening again, but with roles exchanged. A small part of him was afraid. Looked up at the ceiling, trying to dispel the fear. Fear for... "Ouch, Inosuke, the fangs!" very contrary to what expected, heard a funny laugh crash and vibrate against his already wet intimacy. Bit his own lower lip and dropped the head onto the pillow, releasing all the air. He had given in, and it didn't seem just because of the heat. He felt comfortable, the shame had less and less place with the other boy, although had slight nervous peaks, like the previous one. He wasn't crazy about accepting all that daily routine, would even like it to become one. He hadn't lost his mind, he... had found the other half of his heart. No matter what kinds of things were done between them, he felt at home. And hoped and wished the same for the demon, who had impressively copied and improved his rookie technique. Sucked in the air through the gaps in his teeth, tensing the torso and closing the eyes with some force. Reveled too much, the pleasure it brought him was inhuman. Could feel that tongue dancing freely on any sensitive surface, his soft lips pressing and sucking. He seemed to be amused by what he was doing, as if it were a game against his erect and hardened intimate part. Let out a sigh just before snapped the eyes open and placed a hand on the wild boy's head above the sheet. "Inosuke." called in a whisper, but firmly and decisively. That tone caught the demon's attention, causing him to stop dead in his tracks and peek out a bit, raising his face to the redhead's muscular belly. They both looked at each other in silence.

Tanjirou smelled, Inosuke felt on his skin. The second kid managed to dive headfirst onto the floor behind the bed, and the swordsman sat eagerly piling up the sheet in his crotch to make a disguised lump of cloth just as the door opened with a violent impact.

Not a movement, not a noise.

The demon slowly peeked its eyes over the edge of the mattress, watching along with the redhead's shocked gaze at Zenitsu standing at the door. His eyes hidden under his golden bangs seemed to spark, as did the rest of his tense and visually aggressive body.

"Oh shit." Inosuke whispered with bright eyes. "He looks damn cool." He liked it when he saw that side of the blond, admired him, excited him. With his body in other circumstances he would have loved to start fighting with him, compare forces and have fun with hits. But I was aware that if I tried something, a simple movement would end up in tatters. It pissed him off greatly, so his good humor vanished through a deep growl.

"G-good morning, Zenit-..."

"Tanjirou..." that voice from beyond the grave generated intense chills in their bodies, forcing them to remain in a terrifying silence. Inosuke squatted slightly, hiding his face a little more behind the mattress. The redhead was only able to suffer a slight sudden tremor, sweating cold. "Do you remember... what I told you a long time ago, dude?" spat the last word with excessive disdain. The boy with the scar did not know exactly what he was referring to, although he made the attempt. But before he could vocalize a syllable, he was interrupted. "I told you... I DIDN'T WANT TO LISTEN TO YOUR RUBS!"

Tremors, blows and slight explosions shook the entire land of the estate, accompanied by all kinds of screams from only three voices. Disaster had broken out.

They didn't know how long an electrical hell had hung over them, they couldn't even calm for the next five minutes after finishing up and watching the blond come out fuming over his sparkling body. Tanjirou had been imprisoned in a chrysalis of sheets that could not be disentangled, with his hot hair matted and expelling fumes. Had been turned face down in a false attempt so that, as the minutes passed, he was drowning against the pillow. And Inosuke... what to say about him? He was barely brushed or touched, and that was enough for him to end up mentally as dusty as the redhead.

Zenitsu had finished capturing the poor swordsman of flame and water violently, leaving him immobilized. The demon, still in his semi-hidden position behind the bed, watched with wide eyes as the lightning monster covered him with his terrifying and huge shadow as leaned on the bed to approach, face to face. His brilliant golden eyes pierced him like sharp, newly forged swords.

"And as for you..." roared, arousing emotion contained in the other boy, which, ironically, angered him for not being able to correspond with the desire to fight. His split pupils ran through every visible part of the wild kid, which luckily was just clavicle up. His lip trembled, as did his aggressive determination. Closed theeyes tightly, defeated. "I can't hit someone who looks like a beautiful girl, it's like hitting a real one! I can't! I CAN'T! "Without the old boar mask and without those muscles, it was impossible for Zenitsu to touch him.

And he fled, having inadvertently attacked Inosuke in a deadly way, but not physically.

"I think…" Tanjirou's muffled, padded voice broke the silence. "We should have tried to be more subtle last night." was not answered. He knew the emotional impact Inosuke had received, he heard it perfectly. "Can you turn me around? I find it difficult to breathe." I could do it, but it only inspired the same hot air that it expelled. Was relieved when heard movement and felt the mattress sink to his right side. Was turned to face up and inhaled with pleasure. "Thank you." Without having to ask for it, the demon pulled him out of his restraints with violent and pissed off jerks. Admitted that some hurt him.

Rubbed the pale back of his recent partner, expressing his support and understanding. Both sitting cross-legged and with their yukatas already on. His heterochromatic gaze stared angrily at the sheet and its owner was flushed with anger, his body erupting like an active volcano. And the redhead had to disable it somehow.

"Don't take it seriously, Zenitsu surely didn't sleep. That can easily affect everything he think and say." His response was a growl, which made him smile for being adorable. Suddenly a fantastic idea occurred to him, and he was going to put it into practice. "I know you don't like to analyze much and all that, you are more than acting. But you have a very powerful weapon and you haven't realized it yet." That completely captured the demon's attention, causing him to abandon his annoyed grimace and look at him curiously. "Didn't you see how Zenitsu was willing to hit you and couldn't do it? You believe that your face is a weakness, but I think it's an element can disarm anyone in less than a second. Can't you see it?" watched him raise an eyebrow. "When someone goes after you and sees your face, they are petrified. And you can pounce and win at that moment. Do you remember what happened to me when I met you too?"

What Tanjirou said made sense. He was a little reluctant to accept his appearance as a good thing, but now that he viewed it from a strategic battle perspective... It was the perfect weapon to distract and break the guard of the enemy. It was infallible! And he was all the time hiding the strongest possible weapon he possessed. What an idiot! His irises began to glow, as if he had seen the light at the end of a dark tunnel.

"Fuck, yes! How could you not tell me before, Gonpachiro?!" he shook him by the yukata's neck. "You should have warned me before!"

"I remembered now, sorry." let out a hearty laugh as he stopped being shaken and received a surprise kiss, strong and direct, although short. The heat rose to his face, watching the smile of decision and happiness of the wild boy. Only with that expression could he know how much he appreciated it. Returned the gesture, just as durable, but softer and more loving. "I'll go get breakfast, okay? Wait for me here." saw him nod, satisfied. "I know that meat is not as useful as demons, but it works for a couple of hours, at least."

Left the room and went to look for Aoi to see if he had the breakfasts ready and take his own. He found her at the kitchen doors, precisely with two trays. Stopped in front of her and gently snatched them away.

"Can I take it?" gave her a nice smile that prevented the young woman from complaining. Although... she seemed upset or affected by something. He smelled of indecision and helplessness, which made Tanjirou put on something more serious. "Something wrong?" He was not pleased when the scent of anxiety increased.

"I'm sorry, Tanjirou…" She dropped her thin shoulders, depressed.

"B-but why? "he was really worried. "I don't understand."

"Nezuko's medicine... doesn't ... It doesn't work."

It was a huge bucket of ice water for the swordsman, who felt his heartbeat stop for a few moments.

"But... Miss Tamayo said it was... And Nezuko took it while Muzan was here! It's supposed to be normal that it has not yet taken effect as it is so delicate, I think... I don't know..." He tried by all means to seek a positive and logical explanation. "Just... Just wait a little longer." his smile was nervous, fearful. An awkward smile that faded as he witnessed her shaking her head.

"It wasn't finished. We all believed yes, the demon woman too. But..."

Something was missing. Something that only Tamayo and Shinobu could know. And they were killed, erased from the map along with their knowledge of medicine. Fate must hate him deeply.

"I understand..." was looking at the trays, trying not to explode.

"I don't know if it will work, but those of us who are staying are doing everything possible to study this medicine well."

"It's more than enough, thank you very much for not leaving." only a hint of tranquility appeared, so small.

It was barely 10 minutes and he returned with two trays, one in each hand. It was the demon who opened the door to hear him arrive. It didn't take long for him to grab the one containing only meat, sit on the mattress and start devouring like a hungry animal, unaware of the strange silence with which the other had entered. The latter sat next to him and proceeded to take his own, without saying a word.

"I'll go see Nezuko later." he reported without a particular tone, not realizing how the wild's jaw had closed with excessive force of blow when listening to him. "I'll have to leave you alone for a while. You don't mind, do you?"

"No." The grumpy way he spat it out made Tanjirou know it was just the opposite.

"Inosuke." He set the tray aside and turned slightly toward the demon, serious. "You can't be angry every time I go to see her. It's not as if I abandoned you."

"Hah?! Who is angry?" He pointed an accusing finger at him. He wasn't really blaming Tanjirou for being upset, didn't even realize it yet. To his surprise, the redhead lowered his finger with some unnecessary firmness.

"You're upset, I can smell it on you. I'm just saying that-"

"I'm not upset!" he roared, then shoved more food into his mouth. "Good! Ok! And that?!" He didn't like to be left alone, regardless of the reason.

"You have to understand that I don't want to leave her alone either, she's my sister." It pained him that the demon did not yet understand those kinds of ties in front of others, and that turned him on more without wanting to.

"She has Monitsu! Sheis not alone!"

"But Zenitsu can't give her what I do! We are direct family, Inosuke!" the only one left.

And that was only an excuse for the wild, who had already lost the papers.

"THE FAMILY IS NOT JUST BLOOD, TANJIROU!" He sprang to his feet, knocking over the empty tray and making a noise out of scandal. Left the redhead speechless for a few seconds because of what had come out of his mouth, including his name, and the hurt way in which he pronounced everything. Considered that the swordsman was being an idiot, for him he was belittling his own family, even if they were wild boars. Or the ties he forged with Shinobu or the old woman in the House of Wisteria. "NOT EVERYBODY HAS GROWED WITH A BLOOD FAMILY MEMBER! MANY HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY FUCKING EXPLANATION FOR YEARS OF WHY WE DON'T HAVE THEM!" he approached him with an icy but scorching gaze. An ice that burned everything it touched. He gripped the other's yukata with the fist, pulling him closer. "DON'T SAY ME THAT ONLY YOU CAN MAKE HER COMFORTABLE JUST BECAUSE YOU HAVE THE SAME BLOOD! YOU DON'T KNOW HOW IT FEELS NOT TO HAVE THAT LINK BECAUSE YOU ALWAYS HAVE YOUR STUPID SISTER NEXT DOOR!"

There was a brief period in which their eyes seemed to penetrate each other, hard, firm and with veins boiling. Tanjirou rose without haste, raising the body until he was completely on the feet and far exceeding the size and height of the other boy, generating a backlit shadow that covered Inosuke. He felt for the first time that the difference between the two was monumental, his eyesight was jeopardizing and it was making him look smaller than he really was. But he did not hesitate at any time. He shifted the eyes, breaking the contact, towards the hand of the redhead who had landed on his fist. The soft touch forced him to release the yukata, and once released, the swordsman lowered his paler hand. Tanjirou stepped around the wild kid, without looking at him, and walked out the door with terrifying tranquility and overwhelming silence. The demon heard the latch close behind him, abandoned in a continuous gloom by those curtains that blocked the light.

His chest was tight, his eyes stung. But he was fine, he was aware that it had only been an argument. It wasn't the end... was it? He wanted to believe in it. Took a deep breath, trying to calm down. If allowed himself to be carried away by anger, his power could cause a catastrophe, both for himself and for his weakness. He dropped onto the bed and wrinkled the sheets a bit. What was he going to do alone now? He couldn't go outside, and inside the building wasn't allowed to make a fuss or blow off steam the way he liked. He was mortally held, with the aftertaste of meat in his mouth. Maybe it wasn't what he preferred to do the most, but walking would calm him down. And he didn't need to step outside.

How many hours had he been there, waiting? He sighed heavily and angrily disposed of the yukata to put on his coats. He wasn't going to stretch his boar's head to cover his eyes, he wasn't going to go very far either. Ah, he was lying to himself. He really did it because he wanted to show off his most powerful weapon for the first time, feeling proud in order to be beautiful. Tanjirou performed an impossible miracle.

He carefully walked the corridors, avoiding areas where the sun's rays hit the floor or walls. Its light was orange, it was getting dark. He had spent most of the day alone... Maybe he was too aggressive towards the redhead... And possibly had hurt him. Pressed his lips in anguish. On his walk, he stopped in front of a door. I knew what it was. He watched his sideways, noticing the nausea rising from the stomach to his pressed throat. Very hesitantly in the head, slowly opened the latch and entered just a couple of steps. He looked around at everything. The walls full of formulas, papers and images of the human body. A desk full of reports and other sheets that he did not know what they were. Shelves flooded with spices, plants, liquids... An empty chair and a stool. Shinobu's office had not changed. Without realizing it, he had entered until was in front of the chair. Letting go of his emotions, his legs buckled until he sat on the stool, still looking at the larger seat. Could feel it, but he hardly paid attention to the tickle of the tears on his cheeks. How could Tanjirou hint that blood ties were more important than others? He was cruel... Shinobu never had anything to do with him, and he loved her as much as he could have loved his birth mother.

"You weren't..." His breath started short as soon as he began to murmur. "... who taught me Pinkie Promise..." he trembled slightly, blurring the sight. "But it's the same. For me you were always... like my..." he couldn't continue, it was too much. He covered his face with the hands and cringed, letting the sadness of his loss flow. With everything that had happened, he did not have time to do it, to allow his regret for her absence. "What can I do?..." He waited, in vain, for the image of the woman to appear, sitting across from him, and lovingly advising him.

He was unable to stay longer. Got up in a hurry, ignoring the surroundings. As he came out, bumped into something big, hard, but warm. He lifted the wet, reddened face, meeting an intimidating, dark gaze from the front.

"What are you looking at?!" he yelled at the tallest. Knew who he was, had seen him before. Genna? Guma? He did not remember. Watched strangely as the other turned his head, avoiding eye contact, and suffering a stupidly intense blush on his scarred face.

"Nothing." Genya didn't expect to find him like that. He still had a hard time witnessing his girly normal appearance. Having him with such a sensitive and delicate image was much worse. He swallowed hard, not knowing exactly what to do. Didn't want to be a cocoon, so he made a slight attempt. "Why are you crying?"

"I'm not crying, idiot!" Ironically, he was doing it while yelling at him.

Well, maybe the biggest one didn't make a good initial move. He felt cornered by the situation. Had no idea what to say, these things never happened to Genya. Quite contrary to what he expected to happen, Inosuke grabbed him tightly and hugged him, sinking his face into the middle of the opposite torso. He took the air out of him, not because of the zero pressure, but because of the shock of shame and the explosion of blush of which he was a victim. Was petrified, but he could come to his senses listening to the demon's sobs. Bit his tongue, and awkwardly covered him with the arms, trying to make him feel better. Hardly knew him very much, although that should not be an impediment to being a good person with him.

Little by little, the tension in the wild boy's body disappeared, as did the intensity of his tears. Genya put a hand on the boar's head reflexively when he parted.

"Better?" breathed calmly when he saw him nod. "I'm sorry for that. For whatever you were like this." but he already seemed fine. He looked like he just needed an outlet.

"If you tell someone..." He rubbed the eyes. Despite everything, his threatening attitude was still there, lurking.

"I won't tell anyone. I also don't want it to be known." it would make him spend a monumental shame. "Anyway, I was looking for you." he nailed the sharp pupils into the multi-colored eyes. It didn't last long, the heat was building up again. "We need to talk."

"Zenitsu, please!"

"But I want to go with Nezuko-chaaan!"

Tanjirou was trying to unhook the blond man's hands from his sister's clothes, whom they were taking to the garden, since they would soon come to pick her up. She didn't complain, even patted the blond head as they walked. Tanjirou wanted to return to the room after visiting Nezuko, but he had problems one after another. They had required him for hours to talk to him about the medicine, the ingredients that had to be recovered again... It was a time that he could not invest either of them. He had left Inosuke halfway in an argument that needed to be ended. All because his anger over the failure of the medicine was mixed with that of hearing the word "stupid" as an adjective for her sister. Realized later, calmer, that the demon did not mean it, it was just his typical way of speaking. He always used words like that for anything. When Nezuko left, he would return to the demon and clarify everything. Turning the corner, the redhead collided with just who was messing with his head. He'd be glad to see if it weren't for...

The wild boy was static at the scene. More specifically, in the presence of the youngest of the Kamado siblings. His single elongated pupil seemed to react, becoming thinner.

"Oh no..." Zenitsu murmured, starting to panic silently.

Actually, Inosuke wasn't the threat, he didn't have enough strength to even face a low-division slayer. The problem lay in bodily reactions; the contraction of his pupil, the sudden growth of his nails and fangs. Changes that, under the sight of Nezuko, who had learned that those signs were of imminent danger. She reacted as such when threatened. She roared in anger, and before launching into the other, both swordsmen caught her. It was too strong, they couldn't hold her long. Meanwhile, the other demon tried to control his own instinct so that he was not the one who launched into a suicide fight. The other two were praying internally for him to regain her judgment, not to attack.

"Nezuko, no!" Tanjirou spoke to her, waiting to be heard. Turned his reddish gaze to the wild kid, who cringed and clutched his head in an internal struggle. "Inosuke, go away!" tried the same with him. Unlike the little woman, the other demon gradually relaxed his body after hearing the redhead's voice.

"Ngh!" he complained a little. "Kentaro, I have to-!" He tried to approach, releasing his head with a painful grimace, but the other's scream stopped him for a moment.

"Stay away!"

"But...!"

"Go away!" didn't know how long they could hold Nezuko. Zenitsu was slipping on the ground, being dragged along by her advance.

"It's very import-!"

"INOSUKE, GO AWAY, YOU DISTURB HERE! -It was not the best way to say it, but it was true. His presence was negative at the moment for himself, Tanjirou didn't want him to be hurt because of his sister.

And Inosuke didn't know how to interpret it. He stood still, his eyes abnormally wide and lost, feeling his soul collapse against the ground. His whole body seemed to tremble and lose the will to live. He began to back away slowly, trying to believe that he hadn't said what was ringing over and over in his ears. He turned around and ran, but not in the right direction.

"Where are you going?!" The blond made sure of his course.

"No, wait, Inosuke! Not that way!"

Unable to stop him for controlling a Nezuko outside herself, they watched in panic as the wild boy crossed the threshold of the door and bathed in the last rays of the evening sun that had not yet left. Smoke began to envelop him. And he didn't care. He ran incessantly, not caring if he lost a leg in the decomposition process, until he jumped over the fence and disappeared behind it.

Even having hidden himself from any gaze and the light thanks to the shadows of the treetops, he continued to run through the trees and bushes, fleeing his own pain. The one who stuck a thousand and one times in his heart and pierced his lungs without mercy. The uncomfortable tingling that spread, poisonous, through his circulatory system clouded each of his senses, especially that of sight and touch. Didn't know how she still had tears after shed so many with Genya. He stumbled over a shallow branch and fell flat on the ground, smearing dirt and leaves. He didn't get up, but instead knelt and curled up on himself, sobbing all alone in the middle of nowhere.

"I tried to warn you."

Inosuke snapped his head up, looking defensive, once again meeting those crimson irises created from the purest evil. Strangely, he relaxed his muscles in front of him and looked down again. Not knowing what movements would hover over himself, he did not move as he heard the hard soles of the leather boots approach and stop. His face was lifted by the chin and, under a state of surprise and confusion, his tears were wiped away by the cold thumbs of the purest demon.

"It doesn't matter how long your friends have been. Once you transform, they abandon you in one way or another, they consider you a monster even if they don't say so. They don't trust you and keep it to themselves. And you believe. You believe in his kindness, in his hope... And really, the only thing they feel towards you is grief."

His bony hand was slapped by the boy's in a quick, rabid motion.

"I don't care what you say. Maybe it works for everyone, but what other people think no matter to me."

"You're hard... "he began to walk slowly around Inosuke. "Not enough, though."

Tanjirou cut all the branches that got in his way, moving faster that way. He had left Nezuko in Zenitsu's care when she calmed down a bit. The blond would arrange for her to be picked up while he searched for Inosuke. It wasn't too far, could smell him. Was so sorry he had yelled at him like that. He was so upset, unstable. And not because of their discussion, but because of everything that had been happening that disastrous day.

"It's fine if you don't want to hear about it." finished turning him all the way around and made a graceful jump to a huge rock, standing much higher. "You have proven to be an unpredictable and dangerous enemy." an irregular and solid sculpture of materialized blood perched next to his elegant figure and pointed, from there, sharply, towards the neck of the youngest. "I'm sorry to have to kill you, your power would have been my victory. But it's the best time to take advantage of the fact that you have lost your strength. I can't let you get it back again and give me more problems."

"I won't give problems again. To anyone..."he whispered the last three words, his gaze not visible because of his bangs and the shadow of the boar's nose. Raised an eyebrow at Muzan, who lowered his attack, interested and curious. Inosuke rose from the ground and nailed his multicolored irises from below, piercing for a moment through all of Kibutsuji's psychological defenses, who evidently noticed him with a deep chill, as if he had an indomitable beast before him. "I have a deal for you."

The great demon's smile widened, terrifying, intimidating.

"At last we speak the same language, Beast Demon." faded the attack, ready to negotiate.

Inosuke closed the eyes and pressed the jaw. When he opened them, the decision was made. Drew his swords and spear and untied the pink bow on his thigh that held the dagger. He dropped everything to the ground, unarmed, and took a few steps forward.

"I accept your proposal. I will be your Second Moon."

Neither of them paid attention to the sword cuts heard in the distance, slowly approaching.

"It's the best decision." and Muzan was very satisfied. "But you're not done..."

"You won't have me dominated like the rest of your pets. I will complete each of your missions. But you won't rule in my life above myself, I won't adore you like the rest of assholes."

"It seems to me a good agreement. A power like yours doesn't come cheap." He wiped off one of his nails. "The simple fact that you fulfill my plans makes any valid sacrifice." the thing that interested him the least was having him against it. As long as they were both satisfied, everything would go smoothly for Kibutsuji. "If you break the deal, I will have no mercy in ripping your head off. And if I break it... "he chuckled. "Well, it's not really convenient for me to do it, it would be terrible for me if I did it."

Ready to seal it, he raised his arm in the direction of Inosuke to signal him to come closer. But his limb was cleanly amputated at once, something that caught both demons by surprise. Tanjirou had appeared out of nowhere between the two of them, face to face with Muzan, looking at him with a deep and dark hatred. Even more threatening when the arm regenerated.

"I don't know what you were saying, but forget it." he growled deeply his words. Had seen all of the wild boy's weapons thrown, was not going to allow himself to be checked out now. "He will never listen to you."

"It's a little late for it, demon slayer."

The redhead had no idea what he was referring to. He could only see how Inosuke surrounded him and advanced. Did not leave him. The redhead grabbed his pale arm to stop him and pull him for the waist. Was not going to detach himself from him.

"Oh, how touching. But it's still too late." Under the viperine words of Muzan, the younger demon made space between himself and the redhead, pushing him very lightly and without letting him see his face. This greatly confused the swordsman, who continued without allowing his partner to distance himself. He was not hear to Kibutsuji, he would only listen to the wild kid.

"Inosuke... what are you doing? What happens?" wanted to hear from his voice why he was so quiet, why he tried to walk away as if he was being forced by something else.

"You don't understand it? Can't you feel it?" the adult scoffed from his position. "I do not know your history, nor your problems. But stop for a moment and use your senses." the moment he managed to mislead him, he carried the other demon onto the rock, leaving him sitting next to him. "He has a broken heart and soul. Someone recently stepped on them. Possibly it was today, the negativity and the darkness feels very fresh."

Tanjirou was breathing fast, with difficulty, not wanting to hear what Kibutsuji said. He wanted Inosuke to object, to raise his deep voice to deny it. Waited and waited to hear him say it was a lie. But it didn't happen. His sense of smell didn't fool him either, the young wild really was ripped to shreds. And it was his fault. He knew how sensitive Inosuke was deep down inside, and yet he allowed himself to be carried away by a bad mood and yell at him about that ugly thing.

"Inosuke... I didn't want... I didn't really say it. I-I'm sorry, I..."

"It's still late. Everything is already agreed." interrupted the painful sobs, according to himself, of the swordsman, who was ignoring him, not interested in his useless and harmful words.

"I shouldn't have gotten angry, it was a mistake! You are not a hindrance, I just wanted you to leave there, Nezuko was escaping us!" He waited a second for a reply that did not come. "Inosuke, I love you! Please!" He wiped his wet eyes violently. Was so relieved to see those eyes turn toward him at last, also on the verge of tears, though bright with hope.

"We don't have time for this, boy." With one hand he took the smallest demon's to attract his attention, and as soon as had it, placed the bony palm of his other hand on that luminous emerald. A strong, brief flash shot out from between the gaps in his long fingers. And after that, a short painful scream from the young man, and another furious one from the second boy who launched himself at them.

The redhead began to defend himself with his sword against the sudden materialized shadows of Muzan that tried to grab him and prevent him from approaching. They were too fast for him. Bound by them, he twisted with all his might, exploding in anger because Kibutsuji had hurt the wild kid in a creeping way. Inosuke had shrunk, covering his left eye in vague attempts to remove the burning. Actually, the pure demon did not do it out of pleasure or whim... When the youngest raised his head to look at the immobilized swordsman, he could witness it.

"No..."

The number was complete, both irises were complemented by two trapped rainbows, in a kanji for each, naming their Moon position. That emerald so green had been stolen. Beneath his reddish, narrowed pupils, Muzan reached down, put his arm under the smaller ones, and lifted Inosuke up. Once on his feet, he did not withdraw, still holding him. He raised his fine chin slightly with his free hand, allowing the redhead to see him better.

"Take a last look at him, demon slayer."

Both young men stared at each other with fear, terror, anguish, worry, regret, new tears, pain. But one of them shed a little light. Inosuke changed his expression, smiled a soft, sincere, reassuring smile. And his gaze, despite not being his own eyes, expelled the purest and brightest love. There was no need for words to interpret it, and with the help of its aroma, the redhead was able to understand him. The demon loved him and transmitted the message that he was going to be fine despite having his spirit shattered.

Under one last heartbreaking scream from the young redhead, unable to accept it, the strange portal hovered over both demons and swallowed them up as Tanjirou was released and fell to the ground. He did not want to get up. Instead, he started hitting the land with the back of his fist, spilling lakes and seas. He had hurt him, did not protect him, did not listen to him. And now they both paid for their only fault.