2. Nasty Identity
What WAS that? Severus wondered. He couldn't even remember when he turned into a 'Demon', only when a blurry shape that looked like Potter forced Blue Spider Lily down his throat. Muzan Kibutsuji's blood transformation was supposed to be permanent! Was this something else? Turns out, it was. Severus felt something tingling-his nails were sharpening. A stab of pain ravaged his eyes as they rolled up, transforming... His eyes rolled back and Severus watched in horror as his skin turned a grey tint. He was a Half-Demon! This type of being is a cross between a human and a Demon, transforming whenever their emotions were in turmoil, or under pressure... What caused this? Severus strained to remember despite the faint growling noise escaping his teeth, no, fangs. "The Breath of the one and only Sakura Demon causes a cross between Human and Demon...With none of the horrible mutatives that Kibutsuji's blood causes but not quite human, this species is certainly curious..." There! he came across it while studying Demons! HE is a half-demon. Half-Demons didn't crave blood the way that full fledged ones did, but they have been known to maul when angered. How would the Hashiras react to this? They would KILL Him! Severus panicked. The ONLY person he could tell this was Potter. Severus can't bear to keep the secret in the face of the annoying wizard that he LIVED with and suffer shame after Potter learned by mistake.
"Potter?" He asked, only it came out sibilant and low, resembling Parseltongue. "Wha-AGH! GET OUT, DEMON!" Potter screamed. "Get a grip! It's me! Severus!" He hissed, but Potter didn't yield. The sword was still inches away from his throat. "Tell me." Potter growled, but the effect was ruined by the quaver of his voice. "What three questions did you ask me when I had my first potions class?" "The components of a Draught of Living Death, where to find a bezoar, and what was the difference between monkshood and wolfsbane." Severus repeated in a quiet, toneless voice. "Good, but how do I know an Impostor didn't force out the truth?" "Um I'm an Occlumens? Lied to Voldemort? REMEMBER?" Severus snapped, goaded beyond endurance. "Acceptable." "Now can you tell me why you flinch at the sight of me?" Severus hissed again. Harry handed him a small water bowl. Severus looked into the bowl and almost dropped it; His skin was now a pale grey tint; his eyes were deep blue, with black slit-pupils; His teeth were now long and slender, somewhat like a cat's; his claws dug into the bowl, sharp and thin. "How will you be a Demon slayer when you're one yourself?" Potter asked thickly. Severus facepalmed-poked his forehead, and growled, "I'm a HALF Demon! I'm human most of the time but I transform while I'm upset! Just...give me a moment." Severus winced at how spineless that had sounded; but yes, he needed to calm down...
Severus spent the next day testing his abilities as a half Demon; his enhanced strength and health, and Severus was surprised that his endurance wasn't hampered by Nagini's bite or his new injuries. He also felt that the draughty wind that had persisted since they had Apparated here wasn't a problem anymore. Interesting. I wonder if this can revert a Demon into a Half-Demon. Lucky I collected some of that breath when I killed her. Severus had never been a violent man anyways. If there weren't any powerful demons Severus would break his sword and fight with his wand instead. Lucky the Hashiras hadn't found out that he was a full-fledged wizard... they'd think it's an unfair advantage over the muggle Demonslayers. Not that Severus WOULD cheat, anyway. He just happened to be born with magic. Why is that so hard to understand? His question was answered for him by another Demon slayer, stumbling straight into him. He drew his sword at the sight of the Demon-like Severus, shearing off one of his claws as Severus dodged. "Snape? Y-you're a Demon! And you call yourself a Demon slayer?" He hissed, sword edging closer and closer to Severus' throat, where Nagini's snake bite throbbed. "You forgot a word. It's HALF-Demon." Severus stated matter-of-factly, as he slowly turned back to human form. "And you'd be surprised of an apparently full-fledged Demon wouldn't go for your neck at first sight. "First, you're a wizard. Now you're a Demon. The Hashiras will know about this." And he disappeared in the blink of an eye. Damn it! Why didn't I force the truth in him earlier! He grumbled inwardly. Maybe he was too dumb-struck to do anything. Fearing thr worst, Severus Apparated to the Demon Slayer HQ.
"Snape? We'll SEE about this?" The accusing Demon Slayer was yelling to the Hashiras, who were flustered and trying to keep him under control. "He is a Demon! Show us!" The Demon Slayer hissed. No, no, don't transform...but it was too late. Suddenly Severus had all the Hashira's swords pointed at his neck and chest. "I'm a Half-Demon." Severus rasped. "I can transform back." Severus willed himself to calm down, to let go of all emotion...his eyes darkened to black...his nails and teeth shrunk...and his skin changed back to sallow. "See?" Severus stated. "I'm not a cannibalistic savage like HE thinks of me." Severus pointed a thin finger at the Demon Slayer, still flustered and arguing. The Hashiras didn't put down their swords. "That looks horribly like a Blood Demon Art. Transforming into a human to hide your true nature and your weakness for sunlight. Then we ask you. Why did you join the Demon Slayers? Or was it to infiltrate and backstab us?" They snarled. "I hate Demons. Their bloodthirstiness and violence...their cruelty...it's inhuman. I have been a Demon Slayer for ten whole years. Never have you found a Demon's bite on me. And why would I allow myself to succumb to such a weakness?" Severus grunted. His brows were knitted tight in pain, because a Hashiras' sword was pressing into the place where a Demon's punch had snapped his rib cleanly in half. "I can't trust you." The Water Hashira snarled, deep blue eyes narrow, but the others weren't so cautious. "Look at it sensibly Giyu! He has a Demon Slayer blade! Only a true human would have that. "How do I know he didn't steal it?" Unwillingly, Severus drew his blade, long and navy blue, bloodstained at the tip where he had used it to stab, slash, and sever numerous demon heads with. "If I were a Demon I wouldn't think before stealing a blade. I'm a water breather with a water breather blade. The color is customized to each user." "Very well.I'll let you go this time. But be warned..." Giyu growled. He looked a lot like Giyu Tomioka, who had helped 'train' Tanjiro Kamado, the Demon Slayer that killed Kibutsuji. Probably his great-great grandson. Severus theorized. He sheathed his sword, glaring determinedly at them. Without a second glance, Severus Disapparated.
Harry had been looking for Snape for hours. He had heard yelling that Snape was a demon, but Snape had Disapparated before Harry had a chance to stop him... Was Snape really a Demon? Were the Hashiras going to KILL him? Harry was just looking for Snape when he Apparated in front of harry with a gasp, staring at Harry's nails. Harry looked down. They were claws. His skin now had a red tinge. "I'm a half-Demon too? But how? I didn't fight Sakura with you!" Harry stuttered, too shocked to think. "You must have sniffed Sakura's breath by mistake. It's THAT potent...one sniff and you're cursed to transform whenever you're angry." Severus muttered. "Great. Now the Hashiras will kill us again-CAWWW!" Harry's grumbling was interrupted by a crow's cawing. "Severus Snape. You have been promoted as Water Hashira for the number of Demons slain and ability to remain strong under pressure. Giyu is truly impressed. You have also managed to survive major blood loss, more than any current Demon Slayers lost." The crow cawed. Severus was utterly shocked. Water Hashira? True, Severus had killed fifty demons, five a year, mostly thanks to his magic and lightning reflexes. But a Hashira? The most respected of Demon Slayers? It was all Severus could do to not whoop in joy. Potter looked like he wanted to punch Severus, as he was 1 rank below him and his impulsiveness kept it that way. He had to Apparate to the Demon Slayer HQ to sort this out...
"Congrats, Severus." Giyu greeted Severus when he Apparated, a little taken aback. "Let me say this. Me? A HASHIRA? But you were just accusing me of being a Demon a few hours ago!" Severus blustered, but regretted it-he winced when he accidentally slapped himself on his chest. "Yes, I was overemotional and a little...too cautious. It was with careful planning that we reached this conclusion and besides, my days as a Demon Slayer are drawing near..." Only then did Severus notice the grey streaks in his unruly black hair. "Surely there has been a mistake. Me? I didn't realize I killed fifty Demons." Severus blustered. "The decision is final." Giyu said firmly, leaving Severus alone...
"SERIOUSLY Severus?" Harry raged back in their tent. It was a few months later after Severus' Hashira training. "How come we're going separate ways again? First it's Ron and Hermione, and now it's you." He didn't sound whiny or anything, just annoyed. It had been three years since he went out of touch with his friends, and Harry had even formed a bond of sorts with Severus. Not that his attitude had changed in the slightest, but at least they could live together..."I guess, see you Severus?" Harry said hesitantly. "Goodbye, Potter." Snape muttered. He Disapparated without a second word.
Severus had regretted Apparating. His broken rib refused to heal and none of the Hashiras knew about it. They were suspicious, however when Severus winced during meetings, whenever his chest pressed into something. Now he was heading to his third meeting, where he would probably be taunted by the other Hashiras for being a half-demon. "Hello Severus." Shinobu greeted Severus. Severus didn't answer. he felt thoroughly embarrassed. The other Hashiras weren't so kind. Especially the Fire Hashira. His eyes seemed to say "Half-Demon." Like he was some sort of monster. Better get this over with...
The meeting felt worse than Severus thought. All eyes were upon him as he said his solution to the Half-Demon problem, as Sakura's children had apparently inherited her power and Half-Demons were spreading all over Japan. They knew Severus is a skilled potioneer and Severus had helped the Hashiras many times my leaving his potions where they found them, unexpectedly, though they didn't realize that was Severus' doing. His talking was interrupted by a crashing sound. Before the Hashiras could do any reprimanding Severus fixed the unconscious Demon Slayer with a piercing glare. "Severus sorry...It's my shoulder..." He read his mind. Potter! He needed help. Severus pried the hand away from his right shoulder, and flinched at the sight;
The shoulder was blackened and infected; the exposed bone was dented and scratched in places. "Are we waiting? Take him up to the Butterfly mansion ASAP!" Severus barked, and slinging Potter over his shoulder much to the boy's dismay, he carried him away.
"HARRY!" Harry was jerked awake by a yell. His vision was still blurry from when he fainted right in the Hashira's meeting room. harry tried to make out the blurry, redheaded figure in front of him, which turned out to be "Ron." Harry muttered groggily. Harry was on a bed in the Hospital wing of the Demon Slayer HQ...Ron and Hermione were there too. "Blimey, what happened to you Ron?" Harry asked, seeing that Ron's head and right arm was in bandages. "Never try to take on Sakura one-handed." Ron replied, surprisingly light-hearted for someone who had just been maimed by a Demon. "Wait. You were on the Sakura case as WELL? Why didn't you tell me? You were on the case for three years, that's why you disappeared!" Harry realized. "Pardon me." A low, raspy voice interrupted them. "I apologise for breaking up this..ah.. chat, but how are you not a Half-Demon? That Demon's breath turns even the most powerful Demon Slayers into Half-Demons." Ron looked up. "Snape? What are you doing here? And what happened to your face?" Ron barked, seeing the half-healed scar running down Severus' face. He was much less warm towards Snape than Harry was, unable to forgive the years of bullying. "That's hardly your concern, is it?" Snape sneered, but Ron's question was answered for him; "Honestly Ron, haven't you heard? Severus is a Hashira! he was just having a meeting!" A voice said from behind Ron. "Hermione! You're here too?" Harry beamed. Hermione burst with a million questions. "What happened to your shoulder? Where were you and what was Professor Snape-I mean Severus doing? How did he become a Hashira?" "Let a man breathe!" Harry stopped Hermione. "But you're right, how did Severus survive the training? It's worse than hell, I swear." "I was the last one standing." Said Severus suddenly. "All the other candidates dropped out or died which is remarkable, since they didn't come to the training with a broken rib and leg." Harry wanted to ask more, but he was interrupted by a Kakushi trying to get him to drink his medicine. "Are you sure it's not poison?" A disgusted Harry commented. "Do you want your shoulder to die? Probably not." She replied, forcing it into harry's throat. "That was unnecessary." He winced. Hermione was chalk-white and was apparently staring at the ground, but Harry knew that she was worried about Snape. He was trying to hide it, but he was obviously in pain; sweat rolled down his forehead, and the corner of his mouth twitched as if it was all he could do to not yell out. I wonder what's bothering him so much. Harry wondered. But suddenly, he felt something.
A tension is building in Harrys' muscles. Like they were bending and cracking themselves. "OW!" He couldn't resist as his already wounded shoulder dislocated with a sickening 'CRACK!" Ron and Hermione immediately slipped off their beds to warn the Kakushi; but that wasn't Harrys' worst fear right now; Severus seemed to be going through worse. He was making no sound, his face contorted in pain as his ribs broke themselves with five snaps; as his arms dislocated themselves from the elbows down; the Demon bite at his leg reopened and started bleeding; Severus had to choke out a Blood-Halt charm to staunch it. Harry was so shocked and in pain that he didn't realize that the scratch marks on his arm had started bleeding too; and as his other arm was dislocated Harry could only hold his wand in his mouth and cast the spell. "S-severus!" Harry choked out; but he could only see a lifeless body; maimed too many times to be alive. Or so he thought.
The pain is crippling; Severus just wanted to die rather than endure this; why did this happen? Who was torturing them? But he didn't think any more; he was falling, falling into blissful oblivion...
"Sir? Severus?" Severus wasn't sure which Kakushi was calling him, but it didn't matter...the oblivion had ended, that was all..."SEVERUS!" This time it was Potter, from across the room. "If you were so urgent to talk to me then just do it!" Severus snapped, gritting his teeth from the pain that immediately ravaged his ribs. "What happened? Bones don't just break on their own!" Potter barked. "Sakura. It was her, definitely her. She can manipulate half-Demon's bodies like Kibutsuji did his Demons!" Severus snarled, the corner of his mouth twitching. "How? I thought you killed her!" Potter hissed in outrage. Just how overpowered IS this Demon? She was like the extremely hot, girl version of Muzan Kibutsuji. Severus wanted to escape this place and reduce the Demon to dust, but unfortunately the Kakushi guarding the Hospital Wing made it impossible to escape. He will just have to wait...wait for his moment...
A/N: There ya go guys! This fanfiction ends here and you will probably resent me for make an evil cliffy BUT. I will be continuing this fic as a sequel so don't be disappointed!