[On The Brink - Part 1]
Out of all the things Sakonji Urokadaki had expected to be doing today, standing face to face with a Demon in broad daylight was not one of them, let alone something that even seemed possible in the first place.
Did Muzan perhaps find the blue spider-lily already? Or, did he possibly, unknowingly create a demon able to withstand sunlight? Either of those questions was something he didn't want to acknowledge. Because if either of them were true, then The Demon Slayer Corp would be done for.
Sakonji's mask covered his face. It symbolized his youth, despite his ageing body. His blue Haori had white streaks over the top the pristine colour, which had been designed to look like water flowing down a cliff, turning into a waterfall. All of it was meant to symbolize his place as the former Water Hashira.
Then, there was his opponent.
The Demon wore what he assumed to be western clothes. He wore a white puffy shirt with red pants. His legs were exposed, and they had the appearance of a pair of pig legs. His skin was bright pink, and his face held an unreadable expression. On his hip was a sheath, and the word 血の神(Blood God) was engraved in his right eye.
He appeared out of nowhere, walking out of a bush with a look of disinterest on his face. As soon as Sakonji saw the Demon, he drew his sword, and when he did, the Demon put his hand on his sheath, yet his expression never changed from a look of disinterest. Neither of them moved from the spot they were in, and they had been like that for five minutes.
The silence between them was deafening, yet one question lingered.
It wasn't nighttime, and while the forest he lived in gave the Demon enough shade to work with, the fact that it was daytime confused the former Water Hashira. In the time he had been given to think, he asked himself that question, and had yet to come up with an answer.
"I have to say, you are the first Demon who hasn't outright attacked me on sight in a long time. I wonder why that is? Are you just biding your time?" Sakonji asked as the Demon narrowed its eyes. He half expected it to charge him immediately afterward. However, instead, something rather… unexpected happened.
"Buying my time? Sir, I hate to break it to you, but even if I did "buy my time," you would've been dead the moment you had drawn your sword," The Demon stated, removing his hand from his sheath. "Nonetheless, I did not come here to fight you. Nor did I come here to kill you. Unless, of course, you would want for that to be arranged, in which case, be my guest, attack me." The Demon spat as Sakonji did nothing to lower his guard.
From his experience, Demons, no matter the shape or size, deceived others for their own gain. That was something he was taught when he was training with Ubuyashiki to become the Water Hashira.
"Like I'll believe anything a Demon says, especially one who works for directly for Muzan Kibutsuji!" Sakonji spat, pointing at The Demon's eye. "Although I have no idea what a "Blood God" is, I know for sure that it is most likely a new experiment that he has been thinking of, considering the Lower Moons are mobilizing as we speak. So, let me ask you this, Demon, what are the Lower Moons up to? Maybe I'll spare you if you tell me," Sakonji said as the Demon huffed.
The Demon's eyes flared to life as they glowed with a bright, devilish light. They drew their sword from their sheath, and a shield came out of thin air from behind the Demon.
Sakonji got into a fighting stance as the Demon did the same, their eyes levelling with Sakonji as the former Water Hashira took in a deep breath, preparing to fight the Demon. "I don't know if my Nichiren will be able to fight him, mainly because he can already stand in daylight. However, if that is the case, then… hmm, has Muzan conquered the sun? Or has this single Demon done so and not tell Muzan about it…? It is a possibility, but then again, Muzan would've known instinctively. Gah, I'm getting caught up in pointless nothingness. I have a Demon to kill. It's time to get this over and done with.
"Don't make me do this, Sakonji Urokadaki. I would rather not have to kill you. For all I know, you are my only hope. So, I'll give you one last chance to stand down. Usually, I'm not so lenient when it comes to fighting, but right now, I'm changing up the rules. I'll drop my weapon, and you drop your weapon at the exact same time, or, well, I think you know what will happen if you take another step forward," The Demon said, a smug tone leaving the Demon's mouth as Sakonji did a double-take.
He had never heard of a Demon not wanting to fight and or kill a human before. However, he knew full well that it was trying to deceive him. However, the look in the Demon's eyes told him a different story. Clearly, it didn't want to kill him. It was apparent just with the look in its eyes, but…
"Who told you my name. Last time I checked, Muzan did not care to remember the names of the Hashira. So, tell me, how did you get my name." Sakonji used his words carefully, lowering his sword, however, not leaving his stance. The Demon lowered his weapon, and at the same time, he put the Shield away behind him
"From word of mouth," The Demon stated as Sakonji narrowed his eyes beneath the mask.
"Be more specific. For all I know, you heard it from one of my dying students that you could've killed. So, I'll ask again, who told you my name," Sakonji demanded, his grip increasing on the sheath of his blade. The Demon sighed, letting out a cold puff of air.
"I heard it from one of the Lower Moons. I won't say which one, nor will I give away their position. However, I asked one of them where I could possibly learn and or create a Breathing Technique. They pointed me in your direction," The Demon stated, catching the former Water Hashira off guard.
"Why does a Demon wish to learn a Breathing Technique? Has Muzan lost his mind?" Sakonji snarled as the Demon shrugged.
"Honestly couldn't tell ya. That guy, girl, whatever they are, is crazier than a bag of hammers. Also, you said that I worked for Muzan. It is, in fact, at least as far as I'm concerned, the other way around. They work for me," The Demon stated, causing Sakonji to raise an eyebrow.
He half expected the Demon to explode or die somehow because he spoke the Demon King's name, yet nothing happened. In fact, he remained completely intact. But that wasn't the most bizarre thing that the Demon had said. What had caught his attention was the fact that he said Muzan worked for him.
"What do you mean Muzan works for you… are there… more powerful Demons than Muzan, the progenitor of all Demons?" Sakonji asked as The Demon scoffed.
"Yeah, but don't tell him that. His fragile little ego can't stand it. Anyways. So, how much will it take for you to teach me how to use breathing techniques, just enough information to make my own?" The Demon said as Sakonji sighed.
He couldn't do it. It'd go against his code of honour he swore to the Demon Slayers. But at the same time, the Demon didn't seem to be… evil. No, that wasn't the right word. A Monster. As strange as it sounded, the Demon seemed to be a good man who happened to become a Demon. Though he himself didn't believe it, he claimed to be more powerful than Muzan and even spoke his name, practically proving that fact.
"Why should I? What do I get out of this? What is your plan, Demon?" Sakonji asked as the Demon sighed.
"I knew it would come to this. First of all, I have a name. Call me Technoblade. Demon just sounds degrading, ya'know?" The Demon, their name being Technoblade, stated as Sakonji didn't move. However, his glare underneath his mask did lighten, only a tad bit.
"Okay then, Technoblade, Why exactly do you want to learn the power of a breathing technique?" The Former Water Hashira asked as Technoblade sheathed his sword, crossing his arms.
"If I told you why, you'd kill me or attempt to, at least. So, how about this, I ask you questions, and I'll answer yours. If I ask you something, you answer, You ask me something, I answer, kay?" Technoblade said as Sakonji sighed, sheathing his sword.
He didn't know whether or not this was a good idea. However, if he could get any information on what Demons were up to, then it would be worth the risk. On the other hand, if Giyuu found out…. "Alright, come with me then. I'll take you to my home. However, if someone comes, you must hide. I do not want my friends to think I'm working with the Demons," Sakonji stated as Technoblade nodded as he began to follow the former Water Hashira to his house.
Little had either of them known that hiding within the shadows, a Demon had been watching the pair. It was not one of the Lower Moons. It was, in fact, someone much higher than that. Their eyes gleamed with intrigue as their whitish-blue skin glistened under the shadow.
"So… our new ally claims to be stronger than 'master,' but if that's the case… hmph, I'll have to try out his strength at a later time. But… being immune to the sun, now that is something 'master' would like to know." And with that, the Demon disappeared out of thin air, the sound of a biwa string echoing out into the mid-day sky, leaving the space where the Demon hid to now remain empty.
Hanako felt… different. She remembered a spike being driven through her chest, and a surge of pain flowing through her body before a golden hand reached out to her and dragged her back from the black void she had been trapped in.
And then, she found herself in a field of flowers. She tried leaving multiple times, but a wall of light blocked her path each time. The flower field was filled with multiple different kinds of flowers, all smelling differently compared to the last. She wouldn't have minded if she had been stuck there forever.
However, one thing stopped her from enjoying her peace there.
It was so… empty.
It was only her in that world, her and her alone. It felt so… suffocating. Time felt like it flowed differently there too. For her, it felt like several years had passed, at least one, maybe two, but in reality, it had only been a handful of days.
Yet, that didn't change the fact that she felt… different.
Just before she woke up, a pathway had been made in her realm of flowers and grass. It was made of dirt and gravel, and at the end, a man stood, his skin whiter than snow, his eyes covered in shadow, and his face riddled in scars. He reached out to her, and then, she awoke with a sharp pain in her side and her head hurting. Shortly after that, she fainted after seeing her hands were now claws.
Currently, she was sitting in a corner, away from a window as sunlight peeked through it. Every time she tried to step in it, her skin boiled, and pain flowed throughout her body. However, her skin healed almost immediately.
Across from her was Takeo, and a part of her brain told her to eat him. Every time a voice would say to do that, she would argue with it. The voice had a heavy British accent and a sarcastic tinge to it. It would constantly bring up several things to try and persuade her, but each time, it failed, and then, it would go silent, and right now, it was doing the same thing again for the sixth time today.
"Why would I eat my own brother?"
"So you can survive, duh, it should be obvious! The more you eat, the more stronger you can become! Plus, it's easy and weak prey! Besides, you'll die if you don't consume flesh and blood. Come on! Do it!"
"But… he's the only family I have left, if… if I kill him…."
"That's not true. You still have Tanjiro and Nezuko, do you not?"
"How do you know their names?"
"I have my ways, young one~."
"Fine then, keep your secrets. Still, what would I even gain out of it?"
"Well, you see, if you don't eat flesh and blood, you'll die. You won't be able to regenerate, and you won't be able to use whatever Blood Demon Art you have."
"What…?"
And then, the connection would end abruptly after she asked any sort of question about whatever a "Blood Demon Art" was. She sighed as her stomach growled. Hanako was hungry. Every time she tried to eat any food Nezuko or Tanjiro gave her; she would puke afterward. Well, except meat, though it tasted like nothing.
The voice that would periodically talk to her told her that if she didn't eat flesh and blood—human flesh and blood—she would starve to death. Meat, animal meat, gave her some sort of nutrition, but barely any! The voice was right, but that didn't mean she wanted to! Every now and again, she would stare at Takeo, and a small amount of drool would leave her mouth.
Hanako shook her head. "No, I can't think like that… he's my brother! Not some sort of… piece… of… food…." Hanako thought, blinking. Her ha—claws, scraping against the hardwood floor as her sharp, fang-like teeth clashed together in a sneer.
She needed to eat.
"Oh, hello there, I knew I smelt another Demon up here, just wasn't expecting to see… well, you," a feminine voice spoke as Hanako looked into the doorway, only to see another strange-looking woman.
The woman in the door had sickly yellow skin with two dark red stripes on each cheek, a pair of white horns on her forehead pointing up towards the ceiling. Her eyes were a dark grey with white and black rings around them with red sclera, and her left iris had a number four carved into it, framed with long eyelashes. Her hair was up to her chin in length, the colour of which being the same as the snow on the ground outside. She wore a red Kimono, black fur lining the collar, as it was all tied together with a big purple bow at the back.
"Demon…?" Hanako asked as the older woman tilted her head.
"Oh, do you not know?" The older woman said, walking up to her as she knelt. "I mean, it would be hard not to know, but then again, whoever transformed you made it really obvious. Have you looked yourself over in the mirror yet?" The older woman asked as Hanako shook her head.
"No… I haven't been able to leave this room. The sunlight from the window keeps blocking me. It hurts to walk in the sun, and I don't know why…." Hanako stated as the woman nodded.
"I understand how you feel. I was like that yesterday, but then I met Technoblade, and he solved that with ease. From what I'm told, he was the one that saved your life, though he didn't turn you into a Demon. In that case, I wonder who did…" the woman said, cupping her chin. "Oh well, that's a question for next time. My name is Mukago, and your name is?" Mukago asked as Hanako looked up at her.
"Hanako… Hanako Kamado. It's… nice to meet you, Mukago-san," Hanako said as Mukago wiggled her finger, simulating a "no" gesture as she approached.
"No, don't call me that, you see my eye?" Mukago asked, pointing to the one with the number four in it. "I take it you don't know, which is fine, but to avoid upsetting anyone else, please refer to me, and the other lower-moons, as Lower Moon, whatever their number is, and then 'sama' at the end. Okay? So, you can call me: Lower Moon Four-Sama, or, Four-Sama for short, 'kay?" Mukago said as Hanako nodded.
"Yes, Four-Sama, I will," Hanako stated as Mukago smiled.
"Great! Okay, so, since you look pretty frail, tonight, we can head into town and… well, since I'm not allowed to, I'll get you something to eat, something proper for you to eat that way you won't starve, m'kay?" Mukago said as Hanako nodded.
"Yes, Four-Sama," Hanako said as Mukago sat beside her. The Lower Moon looked up at the ceiling as Hanako fiddled her fingers on the floor, tapping them rhythmically. Mukago looked over to her, a slight smile on her face.
"Don't you fret. Night will fall soon, and you will get your fill when it does. We'll take out the entire village. That way, you can get nice and strong," Mukago said as Hanako glanced over to her.
"What do you mean? I… I don't want to eat people if that's what you're implying, Four-Sama," Hanako said as Mukago sighed.
"I understand that, but you'll die otherwise. Your brother believes there to be a cure for your ailment, but Dream and the others quickly denied that. Becoming a Demon, while it is a curse for some, is a fate that cannot be undone. In order to assure survival, you have to come to terms with that, like the other Moons and I did long ago," Mukago stated as Hanako nodded.
"Yes, I apologize, Four-Sama," Hanako said as Mukago giggled.
"There is no need to apologize, Hanako-chan. You're still new to becoming a Demon. How about this, we will go to those who you once considered friends and give them an hour to evacuate. Tell them that a great monster will arrive, and we will let them, and only them, live. Afterwards, everyone else will become our prey," Mukago said as Hanako hummed.
She didn't want to kill the people she grew close to. But, as much as she tried to deny it, Mukago was right. She had only been a Demon for a day, and the lack of flesh was killing her, literally. She needed to eat, and she needed to eat soon.
"I understand, Four-Sama… I understand," Hanako stated as Mukago nodded.
"Good," The fourth Lower Moon acknowledged, standing up as she walked towards the door. "Meet me at the gates of the village by sundown, and we shall warn those who you have decided to spare. Afterward, it shall be our feast," Mukago said as she left, leaving the newly turned Hanako by her lonesome.
Little had either of them known, Nezuko had been listening, horror in her eyes as she covered her mouth to keep herself from breathing too loudly. Thousands of thoughts rushed through her head. She had only met these "Lower Moons" for a quarter of the day, and all of them were rude, aside from Rui, who had been kind enough to treat her with some respect.
"Hanako… don't turn into a Monster like that man who turned you… please…" Nezuko thought as she looked over her shoulder.
"I know you are there, girl. Do not interfere. If you heard that entire conversation, you should know why it has to be this way," Mukago said as she left down the hall.
This was not good.
She had to save her sister, somehow, but she didn't know how… she couldn't let her sister become a monster. She refused to stand by and watch it happen.
She had to tell Dream.
"So what?" Dream spoke, his voice cold as his mask covered his face. An emotionless expression hid underneath, his eyes full of disinterest as he crossed his arms. "If that is how she must live now, then what do a few lives dying to protect ourselves mean," the man in green spoke as Tanjiro gritted his teeth.
"IT'S THE ENTIRE VILLAGE! HOW CAN YOU SAY THAT!" Tanjiro shouted as Dream sat down on a chair, one leg over the other as he folded his hands together.
"Listen to me, Kamado, and hear my words clearly. I do not care. I've lost the ability to care over my time being alive," Dream stated as he glared at Nezuko and Tanjiro through his mask. "Do you wish for your sister to die?" Dream asked as Nezuko spoke up.
"No, of course not, but—"
"So then that means you will let however many people die so that she lives." Dream interrupted, unfolding his legs and leaning forward, staring down upon the siblings.
"Mukago spoke to me about this issue independently, and the rest of the Lower Moons gave me a better explanation. Demons cannot stomach human food. Their stomachs physically cannot handle it, nor can their metabolism let it pass. It gets rejected," Dream stated as he leaned back.
"Animal meat is a good enough substitute. However, it can only go so far. Barely, even, so it doesn't do the same thing as human flesh does. Our goal is to take down a literal army of soldiers. We need her at her strongest. We will be killing people, regardless of whether or not they are innocent, so I don't see why it's such a problem." Dream stated as Tanjiro's eyes widened.
"What…?" The boy asked as Dream snickered.
"Oh, Technoblade never did tell you guys, did he? Well, he might have told Nezuko, but he never said anything to you, did he? We plan to kill all of the Demon Slayer Corp. Something about child soldiers and Technoblades heavy dislike of them. Besides, the village that Mukago and Hanako will be targeting tonight is barely on their radar. It'll serve as a warning to the Slayers that we're coming…." Dream said, a glint in his eye.
"…Unless, of course, you plan to turn heel and join them, that is…?" Dream asked, a raised eyebrow underneath his mask as Tanjiro clicked his tongue, Nezuko looking over to him.
"Brother…?" Nezuko whispered as Tanjiro glared at Dream.
Tanjiro was fuming. He felt his blood boil and his rage reach a new point. He couldn't just stand still and let innocent lives be ruined because of someone's greed and want to destroy a single army of people.
Demons. It was all their fault. Everything. From their family's deaths to what happened to Hanako, it was their fault. And now, they were taking refuge in their home that Dream had made for them to outlast the winter in.
He couldn't stand for it. Not any longer. He glanced over to Nezuko, a terrified look on her face as he looked back at Dream, a snarl forming on his face as he clenched his fist.
"I… I cannot stand you type of people. Willing to sacrifice others to win. I won't throw away my morals because you want me to. I refuse to let it happen," Tanjiro spat, walking up to Dream as the man in green smirked.
"I see. So despite us saving what remains of your family, you still wish to go behind our backs?" Dream asked as Tanjiro's veins on his hands became visible, his rage boiling over.
"If it means innocent people don't die because of your and your monster's selfishness, then so be it!" Tanjiro yelled, wielding his axe. Nezuko grabbed him from behind and attempted to disarm him as Dream stood up.
"STOP!" Nezuko cried as Dream pulled out his sword.
"Then make your brother drop his weapon. He had five seconds to do so. Otherwise, I'll kill him," Dream stated as he began to count down.
"5"
"Tanjiro! Please!" Nezuko tried to wrestle the weapon out of Tanjiro's hands as he swung it at Dream, who blocked it easily, yawning in the process. "Don't do this!"
"4"
Tanjiro grunted as Dream slashed as Tanjiro, who blocked it with the hilt of his axe. Nezuko grabbed the bottom of the handle, trying with all her strength to rip it out.
"3"
"Tanjiro! Seriously! Please! Stop this!" Nezuko pleaded as Tanjiro shrugged her off, elbowing her in the gut, knocking the wind out of her as he charged for the man in green. Dream kicked the boy down as he pointed his sword towards Tanjiro, who knocked it away and jumped upwards, striking the man in the face as it dug into his mask, ripping it off with a swing, sending it flying over to the front door.
Dream snarled.
"2"
Dream slashed the boy's waist as Nezuko got up, watching as blood flew into the air from the slash, her eyes widening in horror. Enmu, who happened to be on the stairwell, watching in curiosity, his eyes flashing with genuine intrigue. "STOP!" Nezuko cried as she reached out for her brother.
"1!"
With a shout, Dream slammed the hilt of his blade into Tanjiros head, knocking him down on the floor as the boy clutched his stomach wound. Nezuko tried to crawl over to her brother. However, before she could…
"0"
Dream spoke the final word with a striking amount of calmness, stabbing the sword into Tanjiro's heart, the boy's eyes widening with pain as he gasped. Nezuko felt tears fall down her cheeks as Dream ripped the blade out, a pool of blood forming around the boy with the hanafuda earrings.
His eyes drained of all life, his head turning to its side as his arms went limp. Blood pooled around the boy as Nezuko stared, horror in her expression as she looked up at Dream.
"I gave him a chance. He didn't take it, tis his fault, not mine," Dream spat, kicking the boy in the head as he withdrew his blade back to its sheath. "Enmu, dispose of the body any way you see fit, though I doubt that you wouldn't in the first place," Dream stated as the Demon chuckled.
"Of course, Dream. After all, you are letting us stay within your house," Enmu said, descending the stairs as Nezuko wept. Enmu looked down on the girl and sighed. "Do not fret, young child. He will be put to good use. Besides, he was the one who attacked Dream, defied him, and fought him. He made a mistake. I doubt you will too, right?" Enmu asked as Nezuko continued to cry.
"Leave the girl be, Enmu. She has done nothing wrong. Now, I believe you have a body to get rid of, do you not?" Dream asked as Enmu bowed.
"My apologies, Dream," Enmu stated, dragging the corpse away as Dream approached Nezuko, picking her up by the collar of her Kimono. Nezuko gasped as Dream glared at her, off pink eyes meeting vibrant green ones as tears poured down Nezuko's cheeks.
"I do not take to traitors well, Nezuko Kamado. See to it that you do not follow in your brother's footsteps. Otherwise… well, you saw what happened to him, did you not?" Dream asked as he dropped her to the floor, falling on her elbow as she glared up at the man.
Dream walked away, going over to grab his mask. "I'm sorry for killing your brother, but we cannot let the enemy gain the upper hand. Had your brother not been so headstrong and more open-minded, like yourself, he wouldn't have died. Technoblade will be mad at me, that much is for sure, but he'll understand once the full situation is explained to him…." Dream stated as he put his mask back on, a green glow overcoming him as he took a deep breath.
"After all, he as well, does not like Traitors. We've dealt with our fair share of them. If anyone can understand, he most certainly will," Dream stated as he walked up the stairs as Nezuko was left on her own.
"Please, Technoblade… come back sooner…." Nezuko begged in her thoughts, closing her eyes as she wept silently.
Meanwhile, sitting upon a stone deep within a cave, Wilbur sat, twirling a boar mask on his finger as he chewed into an arm. A smirk on his face as he glanced over to the body he had ripped it off from. "Tch, honestly, how stupid could a human really be? Rushing in trying to kill me. His name, though, Inosuke. I think I'll remember that name, seeing as how he was able to keep up with me so well within that fight," Wilbur said, a memory flashing through his eyes.
"I'll kill you!" A boy in a boar mask screamed as Wilbur scoffed, sticking his arm out as red fumes began to leak from the sacks in his skin.
"Yeah, right," Wilbur scoffed as he activated the explosions. However, the boy dodged, cutting into his arm. Wilbur winced, kicking the boy in the stomach, though to no effect.
"I am the great Inosuke Hashibara. Such weak attacks won't harm me! DIE, Cretan!" Inosuke shouted as the memory faded.
"Maybe… just maybe, I could find this boy's family and possibly devour them as well, if they already weren't," Wilbur thought as he bit into the arm again, taking a good chunk out of it. "Tch, honestly, I don't know why he wants that flower so much. What could a mere flower possibly do?" Wilbur scoffed, throwing the arm to the floor.
"Well, whatever the case is, I need to rest, for now, this cave will do nicely… reminds me slightly of Pogtopia," Wilbur stated, hopping off the rock, venturing further into the cave as the body of Inosuke Hashibara fell over, the boy's head gone, no trace of it left.
-To Be Continued-
Aaaaannnndddd boom! Bet nobody saw THAT coming, did you? Shocked? Angry? Annoyed? Well, too bad, because that was how it was always going to go. Tanjiro, in his nature, is an incorruptible boy who, regardless of what he has to do, will not kill innocent people. That is why Dream killed him. Plus, we all know how Dream felt towards Tanjiro anyway. This was bound to happen. As for why it is happening so soon, well, it's because, as I said, Tanjiro would have never agreed to Technoblade's plan.
However, every action has a consequence. However, that doesn't mean it won't be for a while.
As for the Lower Moons and their involvement in the later Arcs, let's just say that they are key in developing Hanako into what she will become.
Also, Again, I'm sorry if anyone had been expecting a fight between Sakonji and Technoblade. It would be out of Character for Technoblade to just rush in and kill Sakonji, especially if he was looking to get something out of the man. As for why Sakonji didn't attack Technoblade, well, Sakonji is not an idiot. He knows an unstoppable force when he sees one.
Also, as for why I killed Inosuke off-screen, well, it's because I honestly didn't want to write that. Inosuke is hands down my favourite character in KNY, so writing his fruitless death at the hands of Wilbur would've sucked. However, if anyone wants to see the fight in full, I'll write it out as a bonus chapter when the Fanfic is over.
I hope this chapter was worth it, I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas, and I'll see you all in the New Year!