Notes:
In this part of the "Re-educating a Slayer" arc, the focus is on Tomioka Giyuu as the story shifts to show what is happening with the Slayers while Tanjirou is fighting his battle.
The next few chapters have three of my favorite characters from KNY. And oh man, I love Giyuu so much and I loved writing him in this! I know that some people won't like these chapters because there's no sex involved and it diverts from what is happening with Tanjirou, but I hope that there will at least be one person who would not only appreciate the foundation that is being laid for the future plot, but also the character development that is taking place. To that person who appreciates these things and the work that I put into this story, thank you from the bottom of my heart
... 🐺🐥
And speaking of appreciation, I would like to thank those who have taken the time to leave kudos and reviews. And most gratefully, I'll like to thank E Jay and Ketsalistlis for the birthday wishes!
With respect to my health, I'm doing better. A week ago I was pretty sick with a fever and body pain but don't worry, I self-quarantined during that time.
I hope that you all are fine.
Chapter Summary:
While Tanjirou suffers greatly, Giyuu Tomioka, being the one who had introduced him to the life of a Slayer, struggles to accept the way things have become, but whilst trapped in the sea of his despair, he gets help from an unexpected source.
Content Dictionary
Thoughts
xxx: End of a section
[[Sound]]
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"Memory of a conversation."
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"Hah…" A heavy sigh / exhale of breath.
APPLICABLE WARNING TAGS FOR THIS CHAPTER:
• SUICIDE MENTION
• ANGST
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The sound of lightning pierces my ears
My heart wavers
- Gurenge by LISA lyrics (Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba OP)
Chapter 24: : Re-educating a Slayer V: To Die or Not to Die…
.•.
.•.
I would have wondered whether your life was so meaningless that you wanted to throw it away. But now I understand—Tanjirou was just that important to you.
xxx
N.B.: At the Ubuyashiki Mansion, late evening…
.•.
.•.
.•.
[[TAT]]
[[TAT]]
[[TAT]]
HM...?
"..." THE MUTED SOUND OF approaching footsteps was almost absent—too restrained for even the sharpest ear to pick up—but Obanai's head tilted to the right to instantly lock gazes with the one walking up behind him.
The young woman, caught in her attempt to sneak up on him, made a soft sound, much like a little gasp, her expression betraying her surprise at his outstanding observational skills.
Although she had been using her stealth, he had sensed her immediately, as though sound was inconsequential and her aura was one that he knew through and through.
"Ah," Mitsuri pouted, blushing slightly when the open look of admiration in his keen, mismatched eyes intensified on her. It was so difficult to keep a straight face around him these days. Now that she was aware of the love he had been withholding all the while they had been friends, it was easier to notice the passionate gazes he would give her; or maybe he had simply stopped hiding them.
"..." Instead of immediately addressing him, Mitsuri closed her eyes briefly and pushed the tray she was holding at him to hide her heated reaction to his attention. "You always make it so hard to sneak up on you."
Obanai gave no response to this accusation and as he continued staring at her, he could see that this was making Mitsuri a bit uncomfortable, but he could not help it.
The corridor was darkened, dimly lit only by the ghost of the light emanating from behind patterned rice paper doors along its length, but the female before him was…
Beautiful.
One word, one adjective to describe the most important woman in his life, but Obanai felt as though even that word was not enough.
Glowing like an angel, Mitsuri was the brightest light in that space, a calming oasis in the desert of his despair, and his heartbeat increased its staccato despite his expression remaining unbothered.
[[BADUM]]
[[BADUM]]
"What's the matter with my boyfriend, hm? Cat got your tongue?" Mitsuri drawled this in a teasing manner although her voice trembled while she said it. It trembled with the desire she felt for him and her cheeks colored themselves a pretty shade of rouge when she saw that she was finally able to make him blush a little.
It was so much fun to tease Obanai—especially about their new relationship.
Mitsuri had figured out quite early that all she had to do was call him her 'boyfriend', and he would instantly go red in the face.
This made her want to tease him more—to play with him until his stoic barricade came tumbling down—but Mitsuri knew that she had to wait, as there were more pressing matters to deal with at the moment.
Not yet.
We're here to focus on Giyuu.
Her expression became sad.
Ah… poor Giyuu. I wonder if he's okay…?
"Nothing's happening with him," Obanai spoke up at last, giving her an answer to the unspoken question in her eyes instead of giving in to her taunt as he pointed inside the room where Giyuu sat, "...so you can stop worrying now."
"Hm." Mitsuri glanced to Giyuu, back to Obanai, then pointedly down at the tray she was still holding out to him.
When Obanai finally took the hint and took it from her, she reached out to pat Kaburamaru's head as she whispered, "You know…We have to do whatever we can in these crazy times to motivate one another."
Obanai frowned at this. "I don't think that Giyuu wants to see me," he said plainly.
At his comment, Mitsuri examined the light lingering blush that was scarcely visible in the dim lighting and above the bandages on his face.
Although they had teamed up to ardently search Japan for Tanjirou, they had only seen each other a few times in the past month, and because of that, she had not gotten to speak with him at length prior to the meeting Kiriya had organized for all the Pillars that morning.
Thus, Obanai had not been aware of Giyuu's condition and had made some comments that had been rather harsh about Tanjirou's situation; comments that caused him to feel terrible now that he had been appraised of Giyuu's circumstances for being at the mansion an entire week before the rest of them had been called back.
"Don't worry about it," Mitsuri said gently, as though sensing the gravity of his thoughts. "You were not aware of what Giyuu had gone through after Muzan had taken Tanjirou. There was no way for you to know that he almost succeeded in committing seppuku…"
"..." Obanai visibly paled at that reminder. Was he really not to blame as Mitsuri assured him?
On the surface, it appeared as though he and Giyuu did not get along well or were indifferent to each other, but that was only because when it came to dealing with the stoic and unsociable Water Pillar, it almost always turned out that he was misunderstood, so Obanai simply preferred to not deal with him directly.
One such misunderstanding between them was at the Pillar meeting they had had back when Tanjirou's situation with Nezuko was first divulged.
On hearing what Tanjirou was doing and how irresponsible Urokodaki and Giyuu were being by permitting and encouraging Tanjirou's travels with a demon, he had been the first to be openly critical of the Water Pillar's actions and had ended up acting as though he was desperate for Giyuu to atone for his crime.
.
"What are we going to do about Tomioka? Kocho says Tomioka broke Corps rules too. What shall we do about this? How shall he take responsibility? What price shall he pay? Right now he's wandering around freely, and that gives me a headache [Manga Chapter 45]."
.
And to add insult to injury, he had subsequently openly miscommunicated his general opinion on the matter as one where he felt that his fellow Pillar's declaration to make amends for any trouble by dying meant nothing to him.
But the reality of the situation was not that he did not care; it was that he had been angered by Giyuu's stance. He had hated the fact that Tanjirou's reckless action in traveling with a demon had the potential to destabilize what the Slayers stood up for and it upset him that Giyuu was so willing to throw away his life for a mere gamble that the demon girl would not kill anyone.
What made Tanjirou and his sister so important that they were worth that much sacrifice and even an endorsement from the Master himself?
At that time, Obanai did not see how important Nezuko was in the entire spate of things and had thus sided with Sanemi to prove that she could not be trusted and that Tanjirou deserved to be punished.
And naturally, this did not sit well with Giyuu.
Thus, it was inevitable that he would clash with both Tanjirou and Giyuu based on their difference in opinions as to what to do with Nezuko.
.
"What are you doing, Tomioka? [Manga Chapter 47]"
.
His question to Giyuu back then, had sought to understand the nature of the madness that the Water Pillar had gotten himself tied up in, but Giyuu had simply refused to answer him.
This had only made Obanai angrier, because there he was trying to stop Tanjirou's crazy decision that could lead to not only Giyuu's death, but the death of countless others, but there was Giyuu trying to facilitate it.
Was he out of his mind?
Were his self-preservation skills so twisted?
But it would not be until much later that Obanai would finally deduce the answer to his unanswered questions. That day, Giyuu had been trying to tell him in his own way to not be so rash about judging Tanjirou and Nezuko, and to give them a chance to show what they could do for the Slayer Corps.
And now that Tanjirou was possibly in a similar situation as Nezuko's former state, Obanai knew that he had once again done something that was uncalled for by boldly stating that Tanjirou was most likely dead.
At the meeting earlier that day, Giyuu had looked so much like his usual unsociable, quiet self that he had not picked up on the other man's ongoing internal mental struggle.
He had thought that, by stating the obvious and getting everyone to accept the very likely truth of Tanjirou's situation, he would have been doing them all a favor.
People needed to face reality.
They needed to accept the way of things and stop deluding themselves for a brief escape.
Delusions led to dangerous situations.
That was what he had always believed, but after the Pillar meeting Mitsuri had pulled him aside so fast and with such anger marking her features, that he was sure that she was about to break up with him.
.
"What is wrong with you? How can you say something like that with Giyuu right there?"
"Obanai…you need to pay more attention to people's feelings and not be so strict about the rules. Maybe then, you will notice some very important things…"
.
Her sad tone and the disappointed look in her eyes had surprised him. Mitsuri had never looked at him in that way before.
And that was when Obanai had had a reality check.
After loving her for so long, to lose her because he was ignorant to the feelings of another would have devastated him when he, like everyone else in the Corps, was already at his lowest.
Thankfully, he was not dumped but during their little chat, he had learned more about the silent Water Pillar than he thought he had cared to know.
Giyuu was not rude or a person who willingly went against the ideals of the Slayer Corps whenever he pleased. He was simply bad at communicating his feelings and thoughts to those who tried to interact with him.
Mitsuri had known this all along, as her nature was that of a person who could not bear to leave anyone behind. She paid close attention to others, loved deeply and longed to heal the hearts of the broken [Manga Chapter 200] and this was never any clearer to Obanai than it was at present.
She was such a beautiful soul and her attempt to help Giyuu had Obanai realizing that he was falling even more in love with her.
To him, Mitsuri was truly deserving of her title as the 'Love Pillar', as her words had touched his heart deeply. So deeply that as soon as he was done speaking with her, he had taken quite some time alone to think things over to himself. Then, it was no surprise that after dinner, he had gravitated to the room where Giyuu was staying, to now be standing outside it looking at him.
For some reason, Obanai had been unable to stop thinking about all the negative things he had said to Giyuu in the past when he had thought that he was just ill-mannered, rebellious and anti-social.
At present, with Mitsuri's words acting as a catalyst, the thoughts he was having toward him were no longer apathetic or confrontational and Obanai found himself needing to see Giyuu to know whether or not he was doing okay in his current predicament.
"Hm."
The musical sound Mitsuri made in her throat pulled Obanai's attention back to her and as their eyes met, she smiled.
"There are things that are unavoidable," Mitsuri said, as Kaburamaru leaned into the gentle, loving head pats she was giving him, "...but most relationships can be maintained, deepened and even repaired if we try to be a little nicer to one another."
She paused suddenly and Obanai felt his heart tighten as the look in her pale green eyes softened.
[[BADUM]]
"Remember when you told me that you loved me?"
Mitsuri did not wait for the flustered Pillar to say anything before she went on, "It was so crazy how your confession happened while Yushirō was right there. He was so mad." She chuckled. "But I felt so silly. I had had no idea of how you felt. All this time, you wanted to be with me, while I was so lonely and thought that no one wanted me." A kind smile settled on her lips when she saw the regret in his eyes. "All it took was for you to think that you were going to die that night to confess…"
"Mitsuri…I—"
"Don't worry, I'm not blaming you for being hesitant," Mitsuri was quick to assure him. "Because I too have been hesitant." A sigh left her lips. "What I'm trying to say, is that nothing brings out the authenticity of emotions more than the thought that we can lose someone. It's the same with how you feel about Giyuu, right? I know how you feel about him."
"..." Obanai watched as Mitsuri dragged her fingertip down the length of Kaburamaru's body and as the snake hissed in approval, he felt a bit jealous that he was not the one she was touching. "Mitsuri—"
"If you truly feel bad about what you said to Giyuu in that meeting today, and you regret all your past misunderstandings, come with me—let's have our own meeting with him." Mitsuri stated this with a light smile before promptly turning and walking into Giyuu's room.
"Wait," Obanai whispered to her back. "I don't think…"
But as Mitsuri continued walking without looking back, Obanai looked down at the food tray she had thrust into his hands earlier.
Oh.
He realized then that Mitsuri had made it that he would have no other choice than to face Giyuu and make things right with him.
xxx
.
N.B.: A few seconds later…
"…" As Mitsuri entered the room, her gaze went over its sole occupant.
As unmoving as a rock and seated cross-legged opposite the fireplace, Tomioka Giyuu was still dressed in his mismatched Haori and Slayer uniform—the same that he had been wearing at the meeting that morning.
Since all the Pillars had been called back to the Ubuyashiki mansion for a series of meetings before their next order, it was not necessary to remain dressed in their uniforms and the others—Sanemi, Gyōmei and Zenitsu—had already changed into their own yukatas.
This told her that Giyuu had simply returned to his room after their Pillar meeting and remained there without moving for hours.
His whole aura and condition of dress spoke volumes of how indifferent he was to reality at that moment.
Just seeing him like this pulled at her heartstrings and bearing a great desire to say something light-hearted and positive, she called to him, "Ah, I can't see much with that Haori you're wearing, but it seems that you've already started gaining back most of your weight. That's good. I guess you must really like my cooking, huh?"
But her attempt at making lively conversation with him was useless as this was not the appropriate icebreaker to use.
Sure, Mitsuri was a great cook, but she had failed to mention that Giyuu was regaining his weight not because of her cooking skills, but because every feeding session was basically a fight with her – which she won of course, due to her brute strength.
Eventually, Giyuu had just given up trying to fight her and ate everything that was presented to him whenever it was Mitsuri who brought his food.
The truth was that unlike the other Pillars, Giyuu had not returned to the Ubuyashiki mansion of his own free will. And as he was refusing to eat, Mitsuri had taken it upon herself to ensure that he did not perish at his own hands.
"…" A few seconds passed and although Giyuu was aware that Mitsuri was standing behind him looking his way, he remained silent.
It was dinner time and knowing that she had come to feed him, he was not looking forward to having her presence in his room.
Thus, instead of acknowledging her, he continued to look straight ahead, into the crackling fire as though it was telling him a story that he needed to pay attention to.
"Giyuu…?"
No response.
Obanai and Mitsuri exchanged a slightly concerned look and as the stifling silence engulfed the room, the resolute man sitting cross-legged on the tatami mat radiated an atmosphere bearing a weight that felt like the concentration of the collective grief within the Ubuyashiki mansion.
Grief.
Regret.
Pain.
Save for his emotionless visage, Giyuu appeared to be every bit of the grieving samurai that he currently was.
Cold.
Mitsuri shivered reflexively.
The only warmth in that room was coming the dancing flames before them that cast a weak light, creating moving shapes along the walls and floor.
But even that warmth was fading as the strength of the fire dwindled bit by bit.
Giyuu seemed as though he had been content to watch it fade into ash and remain in the frigid, dark and lonely room.
"Hah…"
With a heavy sigh that was much unlike her usual bubbly persona, Mitsuri walked past the dour, quiet man to the fireplace a few feet away from them.
"The fire is dying," she said softly, not realizing that the phrase she'd uttered was suited to the general atmosphere in the mansion and not just the fireplace—the way things were going, it was as if the fire in the Pillars' hearts was slowly going out.
"You know," Mitsuri added, kneeling on the soft rug before the fire and reaching for the kindling wood nearby. "The least you could have done was put more wood on it."
"Giyuu…" Her breath huffed into the cold room. "Even the smallest, most insignificant spark can add warmth to the coldest room." She looked back at him briefly to give him a sad smile. "And even the smallest, most insignificant spark can become the light to tame the darkest night. Don't let go of your hope."
"…" Giyuu simply watched her as she went back to work, stacking the wood to revive the fire, and made no move to help, or reply to her statement.
[[SHUFFLE]]
The sound of movement to his left alerted him to the presence of the one who he was aware had come in with the Love Pillar, but Giyuu refused to turn to acknowledge him and merely kept looking straight ahead.
Iguro Obanai…
Why is he here…?
"Are you going to keep ignoring me?" Obanai drawled and as Giyuu finally looked up at him and their gazes locked, he frowned.
.
"Tanjirou's probably dead already."
.
Giyuu could hear his words from earlier, repeating themselves resoundingly clear in his head.
.
"I'm just being realistic…Tanjirou has improved his technique quite a lot. He's really strong. But just as we know Tanjirou, we know Muzan. This is Muzan we're talking about. We have to expect the worst[Chapter 2]."
.
That memory had Giyuu looking away from Obanai, but his attempt to rebuff him only brought Giyuu face-to-face with Mitsuri, who was now sitting opposite him on her knees and leaning close to his face.
"...?"
Had he been so preoccupied with looking at the Snake Pillar that he had not noticed the Love Pillar's approach—or maybe it was not for a lack of observation, but for the simple reason that her stealth was top tier?
"Giyuu?" Mitsuri cocked her head to one side as she tried to study his poker faced expression. It was always so hard to tell what he was thinking.
"…" Giyuu blinked, his expression unchanging but his heart picked up an erratic pace.
[[BADUM]]
He was as uncomfortable with people as always.
What…?
Why is she so close…?
Mitsuri's face was so close to his that he could see that some of her eyelash hairs had a green hue, while the others were either a dark pink or a deep shade of brown.
[[BADUM]]
Briefly, Giyuu contemplated leaving, but he knew full well that this persistent and unnaturally strong woman would only follow him wherever he went and bring him back, even if that meant throwing him over her shoulder and carrying him back to his room.
Just like how she brought me here in the first place…
.
"Kanroji-san…what…? What are you doing…? Put me down…"
"No, Giyuu. You're not well, if I leave you here you will die. You're coming back to the Ubuyashiki estate with me."
"But—"
.
That was a week ago and it was the last memory he had had—of being in the Natagumo Mountains, refusing to come back to the Ubuyashiki Mansion, then being thrown over her shoulder—before he had blacked out and regained consciousness a day later in the room where he was currently staying.
The frown tugging at his lips curved further downwards.
"Why are you so moody?" Mitsuri asked, whilst reaching out to grab hold of his hands. "Was today's meeting too much for you?"
"…" Instead of replying, Giyuu looked down to where she was holding his hands on his lap.
What…?
Things were worsening by the minute.
"Obanai is really sorry for what he said at the meeting," Mitsuri went on, wholly oblivious to Giyuu's internal panic. "You know how he is—he can come off as a bit harsh—but I assure you that all this time, he was looking for Tanjirou just as desperately as we all were."
"And…" After a brief pause she added, "I think that there's something else that needs to be clarified between the two of you."
When Giyuu looked back to her face to give her a puzzled frown, Mitsuri continued, "Obanai feels the same as I do—he does not want you to die."
Giyuu's frown did no ease up at this statement, but Mitsuri persisted, "I think that you should strive to understand that we as your colleagues care about you and want you to recover as soon as possible."
She smiled. "You may argue that back at that meeting to decide Nezuko's fate [Manga Chapter 45-47], both Sanemi and Obanai made it look as though they did not care whether you committed seppuku or not, but that was a misunderstanding. Sanemi is just a bit harsh but he does not mean what he says, and Obanai had acted that way to you and Tanjirou because he was angry and did not want you to die for the demon girl. They both did not understand a lot of things back then, but things are different now."
"Yes," Obanai mumbled his agreement, "At this point, your death would not be a good thing."
"…" What? Giyuu, momentarily forgetting his discomfort in Mitsuri's presence, looked up at Obanai in surprise.
Is that…really how it is…?
Do you really think that I should not die for what I did…?
xxx
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Cut away the despair
Even with all I've lost, even with all I've lost
I have no choice but to keep living
Even if I am beaten down
There are things to protect
— Kamado Tanjirō no Uta (Tanjirō Kamado's Song)
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Chapter Bonus?: Please see my twitter for the link to the:
- ART BONUSES! This chapter has
GUEST ART: GIYUU, MITSURI AND OBANAI SKETCH BY KETSALISTLI!
- Arc banner
- Chapter meme
- Character Cards
CHAPTER BONUSES: I've redone how I show the bonuses to make it easier to find them all, from the first to the current chapter, so please see my Twitter for the link to the document with the art bonuses that couldn't fit here. It is the only link in my profile. When you click on that link you will see a stack of links. It is the first slot titled "ART (Muzan x Tanjirou art and End Notes for Ruination). This will take you to a folder with the document titled "Ruination: The FFNET User's Guide to the Art Bonuses."
Next Chapter Title: Re-educating a Slayer VI: Missing Person
Next Chapter Teaser: Trapped in the mire of hopelessness that Muzan had put the entire Corps into, Mitsuri and Obanai are determined to get the lone soul, Tomioka Giyuu, to look outside his self-made cage of despair and accept their help. They refuse to despair despite how obvious it is that Muzan has the upper hand. To them, they may have been beaten down, but they are determined to start the journey to healing.
As long as they continue to fight their way forward, fate will provide them with an outcome that will be the solution to all their troubles.
At least…this is what they hope for with all their hearts, but life does not always provide the outcome that is most desired.
REMEMBER: This is the part of the arc that is about Giyuu / Mitsuri / Obanai and shows what's been happening while Tanjirou is missing so plz don't complain about the diversion—remember, this isn't a Porn Without Plot; it's a Porn With Plot, so kindly make way for the plot…
NEXT UPDATE MESSAGE: AVAILABLE NOW
END NOTES SECTION- Where the Author discusses (makes fun of) their characters' actions from that chapter
(NOTE...I don't try to be funny in these notes. These are actual, genuine things that go through my mind while I'm editing. Tbh I'm full of sh*t):
Hmm.
This end notes section is brought to you by an anti-social Giyuu…
(SEE TWITTER LINK FOR IMAGE THAT COULDN'T GO HERE)
Author: Ahhhhaha now I know why I like him so much ^^^^^^ Giyuu is my whole mood with people irl xD (but you guys can talk to me, I don't mind)
-1 The end song excerpt is perfect for this chapter because Mitsuri wants to help Giyuu to "cut away the despair" that he is feeling, remind him that he has to "keep living" and that even though he's been "beaten down", that "there are things to protect".
-b "It was so crazy how your confession happened while Yushirō was right there. He was so mad."
Author: You know how it's said that one small change of action in the past can cause an entire state of events to change in the future? Well, that is what happened here. Think of the manga as what really happened and this story as what would have happened if Muzan had kidnapped Tanjirou instead of fighting.
Muzan took Tanjirou before Nakime was taken over by Yushirō so it was not Muzan who had killed her. Like I mentioned before, with almost all his Moons dead, Muzan was intending to have Nakime teleport him and Tanjirou to his mansion and then Nakime would have followed, but what happened was that after Nakime got him and Tanjirou out, Yushirō took control of her and Obanai and Mitsuri killed her. They were injured in the process and at the moment of Tanjirou's kidnapping, the three of them(Yushirō, Obanai, Mitsuri) were not aware that Muzan had escaped as yet and that the battle was essentially in Tanjirou's hands now so before the crow alerted them to head to where Tanjirou and Giyuu were, Obanai, thinking that he would surely die in the next battle, had poured out his heart to Mitsuri while Yushirō was treating their injuries.
But ahahaha poor Yushirō… I can imagine how disgruntled he was with having to witness that love confession and that thought makes me so happy xD
-2 'What…?
Why is she so close…?'
Author: I did not intend it that way while writing, but while editing I realized that Giyuu's reaction to Mitsuri's proximity is just like in manga chapter 130 with Tanjirou when Tanjirou was super close to him—except that in this case, Mitsuri is even closer than Tanjirou was. Poor Giyuu….always having to deal with people disrespecting his personal space.
-3 'Briefly, Giyuu contemplated leaving, but he knew full well that this persistent and unnaturally strong woman would only follow him wherever he went and bring him back…'
Author: Once again, I'm noticing parallels with Tanjirou haha. Like when Tanjirou kept following him everywhere and refused to leave until he spoke to him (that was so funny) xD
-b '…even if that meant throwing him over her shoulder and carrying him back to his room.
Just like how she brought me here in the first place…'
Author: ahahahahaha yessss Giyuu is not at the Ubuyashiki estate of his own free will…he was brought there Amazonian Warrior / Huntress style by Mitsuri. I'm laughing just imagining her throwing him over her shoulder and carrying him all the way back to the mansion…sorry ^^;
Also…isn't it ironic that both Giyuu and Tanjirou got taken to a mansion against their will? Lol, although for totally different reasons….
-4 'Instead of replying, Giyuu looked down to where she was holding his hands on his lap.
What…?
Things were worsening by the minute.'
Author: Ahahahaha and it gets more uncomfortable for you, Giyuu xD
REPLIES:
xSOFTLY: I'm glad that I was able to surprise you!
DYSPHOL: Haha I hope that you enjoyed your time at the beach. Thanks for leaving your review. You don't sound like a psycho at all...I was also laughing when I writing this (or maybe I'm a psycho too *thinking face*)! Muzan is just having the time of his life teasing Tanjirou! And the more Tanjirou tries to delay the inevitable is the more Muzan has fun and I'm all here for Muzan having a good time XDDD Gosh...it just warms my heart to know that I've cheered you up so much by writing this. Thanks from the bottom of my heart for all your support! I feel so valid haha
NANINONDESUKA: HEHE Sorry for the wait! Glad that this made you happy!
KANON58: Gah yes thank God I'm still alive tbh I thought for a few times that it was the end for me lol. Thanks for the compliment I did my best. Yep I'm back on stage and here I am hoping you all like my presentation! Ah it's a pity that most of the other fics are discontinued. Maybe they might come back one day... It is absolutely positively excellent that you intend to write one (or a few) yourself! I haven't been able to check out your work beyond navigating to your profile as I am drowning in incomplete projects from all over, but I do want you to know that I wholly support what you're doing and wish you the best in your writing! Keep doing your best! Lol I don't intentionally do the cliffhanger thing xDDDD I guess it must just be my writing style because no matter where I cut a chapter, there will always be a cliff, especially since most of the story involves rising action without a resolution as yet DX So the bad news for you is that there will be cliffhangers till the end sorry ha xD
#2: As for Giyuu coming to the rescue, LOL Tanjirou would love that very much but...will Muzan like that? Will Muzan dare let anyone attempt to steal his new toy? Hmmmmmm hahaha
Yessss Tanji-kun's destruction will be beautiful and I enjoy the physical and emotional aspects of mind-break so you know it's going to be a very detailed ruination-I'm so excited just thinking of it.
Ah...Idk either (why we're so sadistic)! A curse maybe HAHA
My favorite aspect about ships like this is the potential for everything from pain to pleasure, to fluff, angst and character development. It's like a whole damn meal!
ACJMONKEYAJ: Haha yeah Tanjirou is not having an easy time at all! It is terrible, but the question is, even if his friends hurry, will he be saved? :o At this point, I think that he can resist when biting Nezuko, but tbh I cannot guarantee what could happen if / when Muzan succeeds in mind-breaking him. This is why Tanjirou is fighting so hard, because he is aware that there is a demon within him that lacks morals and restraint but that fight, is like fighting a losing battle...
#2: First of all, congratulations on reaching the fourth chapter of your fic! Amazing progress from the looks of things. I like how your oc's name ties in with the abilities that you have mentioned. Also, those abilities sound good so far.
As for suggestions, I'm really bad at coming up with names / processes outside of an active brain storm / inspiration so I'm not sure if I can be of any help to you. What I can suggest though, is that you can consider abilities where she causes:
- CONFUSION (Maybe through the creation of after images)
- SOMETHING THAT SHOWS OFF HER PHYSICAL ABILITIES (Like her flexibility and speed)
You see, the first two abilities you've mentioned are good enough that you won't want them to all be overpowered. Imo, that would make them all forgettable. You'd want the audience to focus on or anticipate a few while the others act as support for the main ones. Because, if you look at the KNY demon techniques, they seem to ascend in severity depending on how desperate the situation that the demon is in.
Ah well that is just my take on it. I hope that I was at least somewhat able to offer a bit of inspiration! Good luck!
JUJU: Muzan's "little cum dumpster bitch" hahahaha Ah yes my dear LOL. And you even want to hurt the Slayers and Nezuko by making them knowledgeable of this? Welp well I must say that our minds are on a somewhat similar wavelength. Angst, sadism, hopelessness... And here I was thinking that I was a sadist to Tanjirou and too mean to him but your sadism is on a higher level xD Thank you for making me feel so much better about my cruelty xDDDDDD
#2: asdfghjkl you really want to hurt Tanji-kun don't you haha. Well, based on what I have already written, Muzan will explain the logistics of it in a later chapter, but there isnt much of anything left inside of Tanjirou's innards for what you have mentioned to happen lol. Remember, he's been starving him and feeding him broths for 31 days so most of everything in there is gone lol. But I assure you that something equally as humiliating and devastating will happen to shame him and make him wish for death...