Argentum: Hmm… been doing a lot of these kinds of chapters. Guess that's just par for the course.

Slayer: Yeah, how about it readers? Enjoy the special third person chapters? Or do you want us to stop with them?

Argentum: Would personally rather use them. I mean the rest of the story is kind of made in a first person journal kind of way.

Grel'Slyfer: Thought there was something up with the way you wrote things.

Argentum: I like to keep things unique.

Murata: Yeah you do it unique alright.

Grel'Slyfer: Oh look the weakling.

Murata: Ouch…

Argentum: Be nice, besides he's one of the purest slayers. Doing what he does simply because he believes it's the right thing to do.

Murata: Thanks for that.

Slayer: Oh what a crew.

Argentum: Heh, in any case we should simply start now. Murata start us off!

Murata: Oh uh sure, ahem… The Dark Guard production own nothing but Oc's and reality building concepts. Everything else belongs to their original owners. Now without further delay…

Everyone: Here's the story!

Hello= Regular talk

Hello= Thoughts

[Hello]= Radio

(Hello)= Telepathy/Mind reading

Chapter Thirty Five: Special third Person Chapter! Chapter four! Icy moon vs the Kamaboko Squad! A battle for the ages!

Shinobu did not waste any time, using her impressive speed to seemingly teleport behind Doma. Her speed even shocked Doma who's eyes widened in surprise. With a thought she thrusted her sword forward. Mushi no Kokyu! Seirei no Mai fukugan Rokkaku! With blazing speeds she stabbed at the upper moon six times, aiming at all of his vitals. Using his tessen or iron war fan Doma blocked as many strikes as he could. Only being able to block two of them because of his surprise. "Die!" Jumping back Shinobu smirked as her poison began to work.

However what the upper moon did next disturbed everyone. "Oh? Haha… poison I think? How marvelous~!" His wide smile only infuriated Shinobu further. "Oh my! This pain! I think I could learn to like this! You'll have to tell me how you make this poison before I eat you~." Shinobu gritted her teeth, seeing how the poison she used was ineffective annoyed her. "Oh what a face you're making! Come now there's no need to be angry here, I just complimented you after all~."

As Shinobu charged back in Michael narrowed his eyes before turning to Murata. "Hey!" The demon slayer was shook from his stupor as he turned to the dragon. "I need you to get Shura here, along with everyone else out of here! The rest of us will do our best to stop the upper moon. For as much as I hate to say it, all of you would only get in the way here."

Gripping his unsheathed sword Murata nodded with gritted teeth. "I understand…" Turning to the others he waved at them. "You heard the man! Ozaki! Let's get us out of here!" The girl nodded as Michael turned to Mukago and Shura.

"You two go with them, we can't lose the two of you right now." Though a bit upset at being sidelined, Mukago nodded and took Shura's hand. Not even saying a thing as they ran along with the weaker slayers. "Alright… Tanjiro!" The sun breather turned to him. "Me and you will have to provide the most back up. Followed by Kanao and Zenitsu." He then turned to Inosuke and Nezuko. "You two strike when you can." Both nodded as Michael and Tanjiro ran up next to Giyu. The water Hashira looked at them before nodding. Understanding what they were doing, although he personally didn't like it.

He did however understand that they'd need all the help they could get. "Follow in behind me, but don't overextend yourselves. For now leave as much as you can to me and Kocho San." The "kamaboko" squad nodded as Giyu looked back at the fight, waiting for the right moment to jump in. Please… be careful Shinobu…

Sheathing her sword for just a moment the insect Hashira gritted her teeth. So even six doses of the normal poison does nothing… how about ten of the stronger stuff! Unsheathing her blade Shinobu jumped forward, ducking under a slash from Doma. The air freezing behind her as she stabbed forward. Chō no mai Tawamure! With even greater speeds she started stabbing the demon at any exposed spot.

Doma only laughed as he felt her blade stab into his flesh. "Wonderful~! Simply marvelous!" As he watched the butterflies come from her blade he smiled. "Such a beautiful style!" Shinobu seeing how this wasn't effective, back flipped away as Doma breathed a breath of frozen air at her. "There is one thing I'm curious about however. Why don't you cut off my head? You probably could've won by now if you did." At his opponents glare he hit his left hand into the palm of his right. "Oh! I see! You physically can't cut off my head! Now that's jus-" Doma cut himself off by coughing out blood. "Oh… would you look at that?"

Seeing this Shinobu smirked viciously. "Took a strong poison and multiple doses, but it seems my attacks are finally taking affect." Unsure of what was happening Michael used his Lyb'Craeft. As he paid attention his eyes widened as he yelled out to the Hashira.

"Shinobu! He's assimilating the poison! Already he's immune to whatever you just used!" For a brief moment she looked at her friend with wide eyes. That moment would cost her as Doma struck.

"Chiri Renge." Waving his fan Doma sent a swarm of bladed ice lotuses at Shinobu. Closing her eyes she heard a still stoic voice come to her aid.

"Shi no Kata Uchishio." Slashing through the most dangerous ones Giyu looked forward. "I won't stand by and let you hurt her." Doma simply smirked as Shinobu opened her eyes.

"I told you this was my fight Tomioka!" She was frustrated with his interference; however she couldn't help but let her eyes widened at what the water Hashira said next.

"I know… but unlike me you're not expendable." She had no idea why Giyu would say such a thing. For the longest time she could have sworn he had a superiority complex, always distancing himself from everyone. Yet that one statement made her question what she knew about her fellow Hashira. However before she could ask what he meant Giyu charged forward. "Jū no kata." With just those three words he used his tenth form. Creating a water dragon from his sword as he rushed forward.

"Oh? I always did think Mizu no Kokyu was pretty." Swinging at Giyu's blade his right eyebrow raised a bit. "Ah! Such strength! Yet your face shows even less emotion than what I feel! Marvelous!" Exchanging few more blows Doma frowned. "Though I am upset that you stopped my fight with the darling insect Hashira. Could we continue after I eat her?" For the first time in the fight Giyu's expression narrowed. It was so imperceptible that even Doma didn't notice it. However it was there, anger that one of the few people he truly cared about was threatened. And so he struck back at the demon.

Watching in surprise at the skill Giyu was displaying Michael shook his head. "Get it together…" Turning to Zenitsu he gave an order. "Zenitsu!" As the thunder breather jolted and turned to him Michael gave his thought. "If you see an opening take it! You're still the fastest out of all of us, so you'll be able to get in, strike, and get out before being hit." Though afraid Zenitsu still nodded with determination as the dragon turned to Nezuko. "Nezuko when you see the need, use your pyrokinesis to counter his cryokinesis." She nodded as he turned to the others. "The rest of you follow me, but make sure to stay out of the Hashira's way!"

Turning forward he rushed in. Seeing her new friends start their plan was enough to re-motivate Shinobu. For she also quickly charged into the fray, equipping an even stronger poison to try and slow down the upper moon.

Doma seeing this waved his fans. "Itegumori." Creating large gusts of freezing wind Tanjiro and Michael jumped forward.

""San no kata Kien Banjo! / Hinokami Kagura! Retsujitsu Kōkyō!" As both attacks met Doma's an explosion of steam billowed out. Seeing through the steam Kanao, who was also feeling vengeful for what the demon did to her adopted sister. Jumped through the cloud and struck.

Go no kata Ada no Shakuyaku! Her first blow landed cutting the demon along his chest. His response was to hum as Kanao unleashed the rest of her eight slashes, each one being blocked by his tessen. As he raised a fan to strike at the girl, the sound of thunder echoed out as Zenitsu struck.

"Ichi no Kata Hekireki Issen Hachiren!" Unleashing eight consecutive supersonic attacks, Zenitsu gave Kanao enough time to jump back. As his attack ended Shinobu jumped forward. Stabbing forward with a vengeance.

"Get away from my little sister!" She only managed to hit the upper moon thrice this time, however it was enough for her and she jumped back. As she did so a wave of pink fire came roaring at Doma. In surprise he barely waved his left fan, sending a wave of ice at the flames. As the two attacks cancelled themselves out, Inosuke jumped through the steam created and struck.

"Die! Ni no Kiba Kirisaki!" Needless to say, the upper moon was not expecting to be attacked by a half-naked man wearing a boar head. Only able to barely dodge, Doma stepped back now curious about the boar boy. Even as two slashes tore into his flesh. "Ha! I got ya you stinking demon bastard!" With blinding speeds Doma reached forward and grabbed Inosuke by the neck. "Uh oh!"

Humming Doma took the boar mask before throwing Inosuke at the others. Thankfully Tanjiro was able to catch him by the arm and help him land on his feet. Inspecting the mask Doma looked at Inosuke while squinting. As if he was trying to remember something.

"You look oddly familiar." Everyone could only rest for a moment and prepare for the next bout. However everyone looked on in horror and disgust as he jabbed a finger through his skull. "Oh… it's just on the tip of my tongue!" As the slayers looked on disgust as he scratched his brain, Doma's eyes widened. "OH! Now I remember! You're Kotoha's boy! How wonderful it is to see you again! My have you grown." There was a sinking feeling in everyone's stomachs as Inosuke yelled at the demon, charging forward to attack once again.

"What?! Mother?! What are you talking about?! I don't have a mother! I was raised by boars! Stop spouting out lies and fight me!"

Doma sighed while stomping on the ground, a wall of ice spikes appearing to stop Inosuke's charge. "It's rude to interrupt people. Now where was I? Oh yes! Kotoha… what a beautiful woman she was. Had a sad life though. Abused by her family and husband, I took pity on her, allowing her to join my paradise cult after I killed those who abused her. She had a good singing voice, so I let her sit by me and sing. Too bad she ran away after finding out I was a demon. Had no choice but to eat her then, was also going to eat you. However she threw you into a river from a cliff to try and save you. Guess she actually managed to succeed."

Inosuke stood there his expression unreadable. No one could tell what he was thinking, however he was remembering things, things about his mother. About how she sung him a lullaby, it was enough to bring some tears to his eyes. Then Doma said something he really shouldn't have.

"She was a stupid and pathetic woman who should've accepted the fact that I was saving her. Oh well… she died as she lived, miserable."

Inosuke snapped at that. "You bastard! While I thank you for helping me remember, I'm still going to kick your ass all the way to hell!" Doma shook his head with a sigh.

"Sorry but there is no such thing as hell, or even heaven for that matter. Those are just things you human's made up to feel better about yourselves." I would've commented saying that the afterlife was real, but Inosuke continued yelling in his anger.

Rushing forward Inosuke continued to yell. "I don't care about that! If there isn't one I'll simply make a hell for you!" Smirking at his declaration Doma spoke happily.

"Aw! Now that is something I could get behind!"

This is ice ice line break! Ice ice line break!

Seeing how Inosuke was in an almost berserker like state, Michael cursed before rushing in behind him. Doma simply smiled as Inosuke started slashing at him, his speed more than enough to dodge anything the boar boy could throw. After a moment of dodging Doma struck at a speed Inosuke couldn't see. Barely getting in the way, Michael swung his sword upwards. Utilizing his second form to deflect his attack, at the same time Nezuko had snuck up on the upper moon. Snapping out with a kick she hit Doma in the back. This actually seemed to do something as he winced.

Turning around he struck at the demon girl, but she back flipped off his back. "You're a spry one aren't you?" She said nothing as Shinobu raced forward, he simply weaved in between her thrusts. "You know your poison is useless right? I literally create antibodies for it faster than it can harm me." Shinobu grit her teeth as Giyu came down.

Hachi no Kata Takitsubo. Using his waterfall basin he cut into Doma who moved at the last moment. Losing an arm as he jumped away from the group, in response the demon hummed as his arm instantly regrew.

Waving his fans at the group the ground froze over and icicles stabbed up at them. Grabbing Inosuke Michael cut through a few before setting the boar boy down. The two Hashira were able to dodge on their own, as Doma focused on them the sound of thunder boomed. Zenitsu had struck once again, managing to cut off the demons other arm. As it fell he regrew it and caught his fan. Using Zenitsu as a distraction Kanao ran in. The flower girl used her fourth form to get a few cuts in. Instead Doma deflected them with his fans. Kicking out Kanao winced as the demon broke some of her ribs and sent her flying.

Thankfully Tanjiro caught her and quickly healed her ribs before setting her down. "Arigato Tanjiro Kun." He simply nodded while keeping an eye on the upper moon. Looking at all of his opponents Doma sighed.

"You know this is a bit unfair, ganging up on poor little me like this. How about I-" He was cut off as a certain boar boy jumped up, holding the palms of his hands at him.

"Die to the great Inosuke Sama!" Doma simply raised an eyebrow as fire condensed into a ball in Inosuke's hands. "Improved fireball! Inosuke Sama's great flame ball!" That's when a massive fireball shot from his hands. In response the upper moon's eyes widened in shock. Waving his fan an icicle shot at the fire orb, only to be instantly melted. Upon contact with its target the fireball exploded, kicking up dust and forcing everyone to cover their eyes. "AHAHAHA! DIE!"

With his new and improved sense of smell Tanjiro could smell that Doma was still alive. "It's not over yet!" Taking that as her cue Shinobu sheathed her sword and put all of her poison on it.

Let's see how he likes my experimental poison! She then unsheathed her weapon and charged. "Time to end this then! Gokō no mai Hyakusoku Jabara!" With speeds fast enough to leave a crater where she once was, Shinobu raced forwards. With a wave of his fan Doma cleared the smoke, though it was obvious to everyone that the fireball had messed him up. His clothes were singed and he had burns slowly healing on his face and chest. He seemed actually impressed, but was caught off guard as Shinobu stabbed him in the throat.

"GAH!"

Yelling with all the strength she had Shinobu drove her sword through. "Just die already!" As they were launched back from the force of her speed, Shinobu directed her attack downwards. As Doma's body met the ground, cratering the ground from the force of his enemies attack. The insect Hashira pulled her sword out, and then stabbed with both hands the stinger of her blade into his heart. Once successful she breathed heavily, locking eyes with Doma's. As he coughed out blood the upper moon smiled.

"How wonderful! Ah this pain! It is so exquisite; it's a shame I have to kill you." Realizing she was about to be attacked Shinobu jumped back, however in an instant Doma was on her. She thrusted her sword forward but he was behind her in an instant. The insect Hashira felt a shove and was pushed to the side. Looking back she her eyes widened in horror as Giyu was sliced open.

"GIYU!" As she caught the water pillar's falling body Tanjiro seemed to snap. Seeing the man who had first helped him and set him on his path was too much.

"YAAGH! GET AWAY FROM THEM!" The mark on the upper left of his head grew larger, adopting the appearance of fire. His blood pumped in his veins faster than ever, and his temperature rose. Not only that but his speed and strength seemed to increase. Even managing to match the speed of Zenitsu's thunder clap and flash. Not expecting this, Doma barely reacted in time to block Tanjiro's slash at his neck. "I won't let you hurt them! Hinokami Kagura! Nichiun no Ryū Kaburimai!" Pulling back from the blade lock Tanjiro swung his sword, creating a sun dragon that when met with Doma's fans broke them.

Cutting right through into his chest. Deciding he couldn't let Tanjiro fight by his lonesome the others also charged in. The exception being the Hashira as Shinobu began healing Giyu. Tears fell down from her eyes as she glared at her fellow pillar. Frustrated with his recklessness.

"First you interfere in my fight! Then you say you're expendable! And now you sacrifice yourself for me! What is wrong with you?! Unlike you I can actually use magic and heal myself now thanks to Michael Kun!" Giyu was silent simply looking down and thus angering further. "Do you simply not care about your own life?! Is that it?!"

After a moment Giyu nodded. "I actually don't... In fact I honestly should've died a long time ago." That caught Shinobu for a loop as she looked at him with shock. "So many others should've lived instead of me. And another should've been the water Hashira. It's a position I don't deserve. In fact I was hoping Tanjiro could take it from me, though I suppose that won't be happening now." Looking up she saw Tanjiro leading the charge against Doma, followed by Michael and the others backing them up.

"I suppose he won't be… But why? Why do you think you deserve to be a Hashira?" She didn't get an answer which only made her push harder for it. "We all thought you had some sort of superiority complex Tomioka! That's why we thought you were distancing yourself from us! Now you're telling me that you do so because you don't think you belong with us?! You're one of the strongest Hashira! And you don't think you deserve the position?! Why?!"

After a moment he finally spoke. "I had a friend a long time ago… We trained together, learned together, and took the final selection together." Her eyes widened as a few tears came to his eyes. "During final selection I was wounded right off the start, Sabito… he saved me, saved everyone that selection. He killed almost all of the demons on the mountain. Yet… while I lived he died to the final demon. He died just like my parents, and just like my sister. They all should've been the ones to live; I have no doubt that if Sabito was alive now. He'd be able to beat this Doma all by himself. That's why I'm not worthy, for I lived when a superior swordsman died."

She didn't know what to say, this was the first time Giyu had ever told her anything about himself. In fact it was the only time he's told anyone about himself! However she finally understood her fellow Hashira. As Shinobu healed Giyu's life threatening injury she looked up. Watching the fight while trying to think of something to say, her mind was now too wind up to properly think straight.

Please… please be careful…

This is ice ice line break! Ice ice line break!

Tanjiro's power up was an unexpected yet still a welcomed boon. Next to him Michael watched on in amazement. Just where did this power come from? Is it that mark on his head? Shaking his own head Michael faced onwards, slicing through another ice lotus. Can't think of Tanjiro right now… If we focus and work together we should be able to actually beat this guy! That was what he thought before Doma stomped on the ground.

Pulling out another tessen he spoke as ice surrounded him. "I can see why he believes you're a threat hanafuda boy. Even I think I need to go a bit harder in this fight." As a pillar of ice formed under his feet Doma cut his hand. "Kekkijutsu… Kanretsu no Shirahime." As he threw his hand out, two female humanoid statues of ice formed and landed next to his pillar. Opening their mouths clouds of ice blew out, freezing everything in their way. Using their sun and Flame breathing, Tanjiro and Michael stopped the incoming clouds.

"Hinokami Kagura! Shakkotsu En'yō!"

"Shi no kata Sei En no Uneri!" As they stopped the ice both jumped back, Nezuko taking advantage of this threw out a wave of fire. Passing through by Tanjiro's sword as he jumped back. Melting through the pillar and the statues and as his tower fell Doma jumped down.

"You three certainly are a bad match up for me I will admit." Hearing that Michael grinned as he held his left hand out, a ball of black fire appearing as he spoke.

"You haven't seen anything yet." Doma narrowed his eyes at the fire before getting ready. Clenching his fist Michael tossed the fire into the air, redirecting the upper moons gaze upwards. Taking advantage of this Zenitsu rushed forward using his eight fold thunder clap and flash. Hearing the boom of thunder Doma looked down and barely defended against all eight attacks. It was all Michael needed as he lowered his still held up hand. As he brought down his arm, so did he bring down the black fire. As the fire landed on top of him, Doma actually hissed in pain.

"Tsk… strange this fire actually hurts. Hmm just like Kotoha's son's fire." That was all Michael needed to come up with another plan. So with a smirk he addressed everyone.

"Magic works! Use what you got!" Doma's eyes widened as Michael combined his flame breathing with his black flames. Holding up a hand Kanao and Tanjiro combined their spells together.

""Fire ball!"" As the combined sphere was launched at the demon Doma twirled around it as Zenitsu held up a finger.

"Lightning bolt!" The bolt of electricity pierced through his right shoulder as the pervious spell exploded. The flames licking his back, normally Tanjiro and Kanao would use icicle. However seeing how Doma used ice they didn't want to risk it. All using mage armor they surged forward. Leading the assault was Michael with a teleport behind Doma. His sword blazing with a mix of black and orange flames.

Swinging at Doma's neck he used his favorite form. San no kata Kien Banjo! Bringing up one of his tessen Doma deflected the attack to the side, only to hiss as Zenitsu slid right pass him. Slicing into his stomach with the sound of thunder. Nezuko covering her fist with her flames punched at the wound. Doma with his other fan made to block her blow, only for his fan to be stopped by Inosuke's dual swords. With a crack Nezuko made contact with his almost healed wound. However before he could retaliate Kanao stabbed her sword into his back. At the same time being superheated by Nezuko's flames.

Her eyes widened as her sword turned red burning through Doma's back. "What is that blade?" At Doma's question Kanao gritted her teeth and pulled back. This allowed Tanjiro an opening as Nezuko and Michael also backed up. Bringing his sword down on the upper moon's neck, Tanjiro missed as Doma jumped back instead having his chest cut open. As his wounds healed everyone noticed something. The wounds Tanjiro and Kanao were inflicting weren't healing as fast as the others. Even the wounds made by Michael's black flames were healing faster. That's when they noticed how both of their blades were red hot.

Seeing this Tanjiro yelled to Nezuko. "Nezuko! Use your blood demon art on everyone's swords! I think it's making them more effective!" Nodding she ran to Inosuke seeing how he was the closest.

As Inosuke's swords turned red Doma laughed. "Seems you both are troublesome! Now normally I'd use my ice clones to help me out, however with your fire magic you'd be able to melt them quite easily. So I think I'll just go all out from here on~!" Slapping his hand on the ground the earth trembled. Narrowing his eyes as Nezuko turned his sword red; Michael used his Lyb'Craeft to watch Doma's actions.

He couldn't help but adopt a worry look as he spoke. "That can't be good…" Doma simply laughed as he jumped on the shoulder of his enormous Bodhisattva ice statue.

"Muhyō — Suiren Bosatsu. Now time to crush all of you into dust~. Such a shame we have to part ways like this."

Gripping her sword Kanao yelled at him. "Don't pretend to have feelings! All this time you haven't once shown an ounce of true emotion!" Doma frowned at her for just a moment, and then he smiled brightly.

"Oh my~! You're a perceptive one aren't you~?" Kanao only glared up at him. "HAHA~! Oh I love that look! Come on everyone! It's time for the climactic finale~!"

This is ice ice line break! Ice ice line break!

Shinobu was biting her lower lip in worry. "They can't take that thing on alone! And my sword is useless against that thing!" Looking down she finished up Giyu's healing. "Done! Now go kick that thing's ass Tomioka San!" He stood up with a depressed look.

"I… I don't know if I can help… I'm not Sabito, I'm simply too weak." She winced at those words.

"What do you mean?! Out of the two of us you're the only one who can help! My poison did nothing in case you forgot!" Giyu looked down in self-loathing at her words. Having had enough she stood up and slapped him. His face became one of shock as she yelled at him. "Snap out of it and stop pitying yourself! I also have lost friends and a sister! Lost my parents! Yet I'm still moving forwards!" He looked at her with wide eyes as hers softened. "You need to make their sacrifices mean something Giyu. My sister would never want me to simply wallow in self-pity! Would yours? Would your friend? Just how childish can you be?!"

His eyes widened further as a memory came to his mind. One where he said he was better off dead in front of Sabito. He too had struck Giyu, though instead of a slap he was punched. With very similar words Sabito told him to not let his sister's sacrifice be in vain. To stop being a child and take the life he was given and make something of it. After a moment Giyu started walking forward, much to Shinobu's frustration.

"Hey I'm not done with you ye-" Her words died in her throat as her heart skipped a beat. For when he turned to her Giyi was smiling, one that wasn't horrifying like that first she ever saw from him. Or even the one from their recent Hashira meeting.

"Thanks… thanks for slapping some sense back into me, guess I am quite childish still." Blushing she turned to the side.

"Baka… this is why no one likes you." Smiling still Giyu looked forward before becoming serious. Holding onto his sword he charged forward only barely hearing Shinobu's parting words. "Be careful Giyu…" As the hands of the statue came down on those he was supposed to be fighting for. He lunged forward with his tenth form. Putting everything he had into the form he struck. Everyone's eyes widened as he cut right through the statues hand.

Even Doma had to raise an eyebrow as he restored his statue. "And the water pillar re-enters the fray with a mark similar to the hanafuda boy's." Everyone could only look in wonder, as mark that looked like flowing water appeared on his left cheek. At the same time Giyu felt himself getting stronger and faster. "Guess I'll destroy you first." Smashing the statues hands down he attempted to crush the water pillar.

With barely any visible movement Giyu defended himself. "Jū Ichi no Kata Nagi." Tanjiro's eyes widened as he witnessed the eleventh water form. In awe as he saw Giyu cut through both arms with ease.

Back on the statue's shoulders Doma was starting to breathe a little heavy. "Impressive… you truly are-are deserving of the title of Hashira… What is wrong with me?" Though he whispered that last bit he could see something from a bit off in the distance. A smirking Shinobu who finally realized something, her poison was if not killing the upper moon. Was slowing him down, even if just a tiny bit.

Heh! Take that you sister and mother killer! She then looked at Michael. And thank you Michael Kun, without your blood my poison wouldn't nearly be this effective. Gotta thank Tamayo San and Mukago Chan later as well, their medical expertise has certainly helped. Doma for the first time seemed to start worrying. Seeing their chances of winning actually increase, everyone began attacking in earnest. Nezuko after turning Giyu's blade red was the first to strike.

Summing up an enormous wave of fire that engulfed Doma. In retaliation he swung his fan creating a giant cloud of ice that collided with the pink flames. Creating a large explosion of steam, not deterred by such things Kanao, Tanjiro, and Inosuke struck. Each one using their enhanced senses to attack, whittling down the statue as Michael and Zenitsu attacked Doma himself. Providing a distraction for Giyu to rush in, Michael used his concussive force spell to blow the steam away. Teleporting next to Doma and slashing at his neck, instead cutting through one of Doma's tessen as the demon tried to defend himself.

Inosuke threw his swords at the demon, forcing the upper moon to duck. As Michael jumped back Giyu engaged with close combat. Cutting through Doma's fans and cutting small cuts on the upper moon. All the while Doma began to slow even more. In his eyes one could see some actual panic. Narrowing her eyes Shinobu took a breath.

"I still have enough magic for one last spell. Have to make this count!" Rushing forward she paid attention to the fight. She how that Giyu was now evenly matched with Doma, her poison doing leveling the playing field. Jumping up onto the statue himself, Tanjiro joined Giyu and Michael in the melee. Pushing the demon off the statue, and taking the fight to the ground. Right on time to as Inosuke used his "improved" fire ball to destroy it once again.

Having used too much magic however collapsed. With Doma he could only barely dodge and send out waves of ice lotuses. His fire and flame wielding opponents however simply destroyed them. As they did so both Tanjiro and Michael thought about how lucky they were. Wasn't everyday they fought an opponent with an elemental weakness to theirs. With a boom Zenitsu struck once again cutting off Doma's arm once again. He gritted his teeth in pain even further when Kanao rushed forward. Using her first form to cut off his other arm. Seeing her chance Shinobu clasped her hands together, pointing her index fingers at Doma.

She then yelled loud enough for Doma to hear. "This is for my sister! Mushi Enyo!" With a pink flame of her own appearing at her index fingers tips, it formed into a butterfly that launched at the upper moon. The speed of the spell was enough to hit Doma's still weakened side. As he coughed out blood as his body burned and Shinobu collapsed. Michael, Tanjiro, and Giyu took their chance. Using their strongest forms and techniques.

"Rengoku!"

"Nichiun no Ryū Kaburimai!"

"Nagi!" Michael missed his neck as Doma leaned back, then Tanjiro missed as he barely twisted his body, but Giyu's… his attack struck true as he cut off Doma's head. As his head flew Doma looked on in surprise, yet he didn't look upset.

"I see… I suppose it was her poison that would kill me after all." Smiling as his head landed on the ground, everyone watched in horror as another started to grow on his body. "I do so want to keep fighting though~!" As half his head reformed he coughed out blood. "Oh, I suppose I won't be able to however, such potent poison." His body finally fell over and started disintegrating. "I wonder… is this what it's like to love?" As he said those words he died, and with his remaining strength Tanjiro took his blood before his body completely disappeared. Everyone could finally breathe a sigh of relief as the upper moon died.

Turning to everyone Tanjiro smiled. "I guess that's it then. I would say we were done for the night, but as Nii San has pointed out that's just asking for trouble." Everyone laughed and he was about to say something else when he coughed out blood. His mark receding back to what it was as Kanao rushed forward.

"Tanjiro!" Catching him as he fell Kanao used her eyesight to start restoring him to full health. At the same time Giyu's mark receded and though he didn't cough out blood. He still collaspsed, his eyes looking up at the sky.

He blinked for a few moments trying to move, before speaking when he found he couldn't. "I don't know what these marks are, but I'm going to assume they take a large toll on the body. I suppose the only reasons I'm conscious and not coughing blood, is because I'm both stronger naturally, and because I didn't use it as long." Everyone nodded at that as Michael sat down.

"Geez! I have no idea what these marks are either, but I saw that yours and Tanjiro's strength increased by five times with them. No wonder they take so much out of you." As Giyu nodded Shinobu barely wobbled over and sat next to him, taking his head and putting it on her lap.

She looked down at him and gave one of her true smiles. "Be that as it may, it was what allowed us to beat Doma. For that you have my thanks Giyu Kun." Then to everyone's surprise, most of all the water pillar's, she kissed his forehead. "Thank you for helping to avenge my sister." He could only nod dumbly as everyone watched with slack jaws.

Kanao who had Tanjiro's head on her own lap was the first to speak up. "I guess Cassandra San was right about Nee San and Tomioka San." That got both pillars to yell at her.

""She was not!"" The other's even a still unmasked and collapsed Inosuke, could only give them very unimpressed looks. They really weren't fooling anyone at the moment.

This is ice ice line break! Ice ice line break!

Argentum: Geez! That took a lot out of me to write!

Slayer: I think you did it very well though, show cased just how strong everyone was compared to their canon counterparts.

Doma: Only reason I lost was because of Shinobu Chan's improved poison.

Kotoha: Oh don't be like that~. Everyone worked really hard to beat you.

Kanae: What she said!

Grel'Slyfer: Why do we have three dead people in the ending section?

Slayer: Good question, however…

Argentum: None of us care to answer.

Grel'Slyfer: Dang it.

Argentum: Well now Tanjiro and Giyu have activated their marks. They also learned about the red nichirin blades.

Slayer: Killed Doma as well, but let's be honest, no one likes Doma.

Doma: Hey that's not nice.

Kanae: Yet it is true.

Doma: Well Kotoha likes me!

Kotoha: You killed me! Why would I like you?!

Doma: Uh…

Slayer: Well as much as I like bullying someone I hate.

Doma: Hey!

Slayer: I'll give a few words on this chapter.

Argentum: Go ahead.

Slayer: Well simply put this chapter, like I said, is simply a way to show case everyone's improved abilities. A way to gauge how future encounters will go. Though don't expect Muzan to take this happily.

Argentum: Oh yeah… he's pissed.

Slayer: Yep! So be prepared for even more epic fights later! For now we should end this.

Argentum: Yep! And as someone who hasn't done it, let's have Inosuke's mom end this off!

Kotoha: Sure! This has been a wonderful Dark Guard production now signing off!

Everyone: Goodbye!

Slayer: You know I think this is the longest fight we've had in this series.

Argentum: Huh… how bout that?