FULL STORY SUMMARY

Rated M for mature. Reader discretion advised.

After the death of her mother, young Himari and her father becomes part of an unscrupulous clan; the Kato family. Himari is subjected to continuous abuse by the family but all that changes when she falls in love with The Progenitor of Demons, Kibutsuji Muzan.

AUTHOR'S NOTES

🎴THANKS FOR READING🎴

MEDIA DICTIONARY

* Thoughts

* "Dialogue."

* 'Telepathic dialogue.'

* "Past conversation."

* {Sound}

* [Movement]

DOUMA

Douma and Himari were training in another simulation that featured an obstacle course with tall, moving platforms.

"So, what exactly is your kekkijutsu? I've heard a few things down the grapevine, but nobody truly knows what it is," Douma laughed.

Embarrassed, Himari replied, "...I don't know what it is, either."

"Hm, that's interesting... Oh, I know! How about we try doing some magic? Maybe your power doesn't lie in combat, but sorcery!"

The rainbow-eyed demon laughed heartily while he fanned himself. "Hey, try to cast a spell on me!"

"What kind of spell? I don't really know anything about magic!"

"So, who cares? Just make something up!"

Himari hadn't the faintest idea of what to do, but she thought of inflicting a levitation spell on him. The pink-eyed demon concentrated and focused all of her willpower until Douma actually started floating.

"...You did it. I'm really floating!" he gasped.

Feeling more confident, Himari moved her hands to control his hovering and delicately placed him down.

"That was outstanding, Zero. Master will be pleased with your progress. Now let's see what else you can do."

Without warning, Douma severed her left arm with his fan.

Himari crumble to the ground, wailing in agony. "Ahhh! Argh, my arm! D-Douma, how could you—"

She paused once she felt a tingling sensation and saw her arm regenerating.

"Hm. You regenerate almost as fast as me. Let's compare results." Then he severed his and Himari's leg simultaneously.

Himari writhed on the ground, sobbing. "Argh! Oh my God, it hurts! P-please stop!"

Douma idly watched their limbs regenerate but noticed that Himari wasn't regenerate as fast. "Hm, maybe you're unable to regenerate as fast after already being injured."

Groaning, Himari shouted, "Douma, please stop hurting me! Just because I can regenerate doesn't mean that it's any less painful!"

The rainbow-eyed demon gave her a blank stare. "You feel pain while regenerating?"

"...Yes, don't all demons?"

"Not me; I don't feel a thing!" he said sadly, his voice cracking. Immediately, he grinned and plunged a finger in his eye. "See? It doesn't hurt at all. But it does get lonely being the only one who can't feel anything…"

After a few moments, Douma said, "Let's do another spell. Attempt to bend my limbs like a pretzel!"

MUZAN

Muzan sat behind his desk, reading about the Blue Spider Lily as usual. Suddenly, Nakime began speaking to him telepathically.

'Master, I have new information on the Demon Slayers.'

'What is it, Nakime?'

'The Pillars are planning to attack one of your territories, My Lord. There are also three new slayers; Zenitsu Agatsuma, Inosuke Hashibira, and Tanjirou Kamado .'

...Kamado?

The familiar surname reinvigorated a memory not too long ago.

FLASHBACK:

It was a dark winter's night and snow covered the ground. Muzan walked through the snow, wrapped in a black cloak.

The Demon Lord had caught the scent of humans with Yoriichi Tsugikuni's blood. For centuries, the demon searched for Yoriichi's descendants to convert them in hopes of creating a demon who's resistant to the sun.

A while later, a young man left the hut.

Now I surely won't be disturbed.

Once the boy was far away, Muzan approached the hut and peered through the windows.

The woman was washing two children in a basin, while the other children played. An older girl was tidying things in a corner.

Such an indecent, impoverished sight. How utterly repulsive.

Muzan barged through the door. The family paused, then let out horrified screams at the intrusion.

"Ahhhh! Who are you? Please leave us—"

Before she could finger, Muzan pricked his finger and slit her throat. Blood splattered upon the walls and covered the floor as she fell to the ground, convulsing.

The Demon Lord observed her reaction with a blank expression, the children wailing in terror. The woman exploded and her flesh disintegrated.

Weak.

The teenage girl shrieked, then lunged at Muzan.

Surely she will produce substantial results.

With ease, he kicked her and slit her throat as well, making sure to give her some of his blood. The young woman fell to the floor, unmoving.

"Mommy! Nezuko! What did you do to them?" a small boy yelled.

Muzan turned to the children and swiftly injected them with his blood as well, slicing their flesh.

Displeased, he watched as their flesh bubbled and burst, killing them.

Why are his descendants so feeble? Perhaps, the older boy will be more suitable.

Scoffing, he gazed at the gory carnage. As he turned to leave, The Demon Lord heard a low growl.

Rising from the floor was the older girl, foaming at the mouth and baring her fang. Her eyes were demonic and bright pink. The lesser demon growled at him and had nothing but loathing in her eyes, but but stayed in her place because she instinctually knew he was The Supreme Demon.

Muzan sighed when he analyzed her cells from afar and didn't find any sun resistance. "Such a shame that the descendants of Yoriichi are so weak. I guess I'll never create a demon who's resistant to the sun."

The Demon Lord left and walked into the bleak, snowy night.

PRESENT:

That happened a few years ago. Muzan was too disinterested to slay the teenage boy and didn't think he would become an issue in the future.

Damn, I should've taken care of that runt earlier. The last thing I need is more stress.

With an exasperated sigh, Muzan ran his fingers through his hair.

'Just send in some lower demons to kill them. I'm certain you can handle this by yourself, Nakime.'

'Yes, Master.'

TANJIROU

The Demon Slayers stood before their master, Kagaya Ubuyashiki. The group had just been told that their beloved member, Kyōjurō Rengoku, was slain.

Sanemi punched through a wall in anger. "Fuck, they killed Rengoku! We have to retaliate! I say we find those beasts and get rid of them once and for all!"

Nodding, Gyomei said, "I agree. We can't just turn the other cheek this time, Oyakata-sama."

The slayers agreed in unison, tears welling in their eyes. Mitsuri broke down and sobbed loudly.

"We aren't going to turn the other cheek," Kagaya said. "Before we attack, we must have a plan because Muzan's demons have strengthened and multiplied drastically over the years. We have to do this right."

"Bah!" Sanemi bellowed. "What do you mean we should have a plan? The only thing we should do is barge in there and kill them. They murdered Kyojuro in cold blood! The savages even decapitated him! I say we find Muzan and give him a piece of our mind, who's with me?"

The slayers angrily rambled in agreement, clutching their swords.

Observing how chaotic the meeting was, Tanjirou decided to speak up.

"You guys, I think what Oyakata-sama means is that we need time. We need to take time to properly grieve over our fallen comrade, then formulate a plan to avenge him," Tanjiro said. "Yes, we all want Muzan dead, but that won't happen if we blindly attack him. He's too strong and protected to take him head on!"

"He's right," Mitsuri said softly, her eyes red and puffy. "Rengoku wouldn't want us to avenge him like this."

The slayers settled down and agreed solemnly, nodding.

"So, does anyone have any ideas on how to attack Muzan?" Obanai asked.

"First, we should find out what exactly we're up against," Tanjirou suggested. Images of his slain family flashed through his mind. An unfathomable rage swelled within his heart, but a wave of clarity calmed him.

I can't let my emotions determine my actions. Muzan has to pay for all he has done, and he will, but if we ruin our chances, then he'll continue blissfully existing and wrecking havoc!

"He's the leader of a group called the Twelve Kizuki. The members are all powerful demons; demons so powerful, there's no way we can take them on in our current state. That is why we must play this smart," Kagaya said. "What I know is that Upper Moon One is Michikatsu Tsugikuni, the brother of your ancestor, Yoriichi Tsugikuni, Tanjirou."

Tanjirou gasped at the revelation. "One of my ancestors… is a demon? No, that can't be!"

His throat clenched in rage. The gory massacre of his family came to mind, their blood strewn everywhere, covering the walls.

"I refuse to believe a relative of mine would stand beside a demon who brutally slaughtered their own descendants!" he screamed.

Tears stung his eyes, threatening to pour out like waterfalls. Shinobu embraced the red-haired slayer and softly hummed to him.

Don't cry. Don't cry, Tanjirou. What good will that do? Just focus on ending that bastard once and for all!

"You're not alone in this, Tanjirou," Kagaya sighed. "Muzan Kibutsuji is my ancestor."

The slayers gasped at Kagaya's revelation.

"Because he is the first demon, our family is forever cursed until he is slain. Members of the Ubuyashiki Family are plagued with an unknown illness and are doomed to die at the age of twenty-three," Kagaya continued. "Now, let's meet up in a few days. I want all of you to gather more information about Muzan, such as his whereabouts, his current alias, and even the Twelve Kizuki. Do not, and I repeat, do not engage in any combat unless its necessary."

The slayers agreed and nodded, then left their headquarters.

As he returned to his assigned training temple, Kagaya's words echoed in Tanjirou's mind.

"What I know is that Upper Moon One is Michikatsu Tsugikuni, the brother of your ancestor, Yoriichi Tsugikuni, Tanjirou."

"I know it's hard to digest, but you're not alone, Tanjirou. I, too, have relatives who are demons. Muzan Kibutsuji is my ancestor."

Tanjirou retched at the thought of even sharing an ounce of blood with such a treasonous, evil demon.

I have to slay all of them.