Tanjiro – with a still sleeping Kimiko on his back – and Sanemi left the Butterfly Mansion that very evening, although not until after the former gave his sister a long hug goodbye along with his best wishes and asking her to stay safe. He knew she would be getting rest for the night before heading back to Urokodaki-sensei's the next day, but it still worried him that she'd be going off alone just after everything that had happened.
She did her best to put his fears to rest by promising him that they would see each other soon, and they'd both be stronger for it. It warmed his heart and went a long way to putting him at ease. Well, more so than before in any case.
Then, the demons ran, using their unnatural strength and breath styles to travel to the Ubuyashiki estate with the Wind Pillar at his side and an unconscious child on his back. They arrived within hours.
Surprisingly enough, they were met at the front gate by the Fire Pillar and Akatsugi.
Seeing those two next to each other actually caused Tanjiro to freeze for several seconds, images of the Mugen Train from his first life and its aftermath rushing through his head. He had to blink the memories away and hurry forward again, trying to ignore how surreal he suddenly felt.
It turned out that Ubuyashiki-sama had a cellar for keeping demons beneath his house as well. Tanjiro couldn't say he was surprised, although he was extremely relieved. His guess had been correct after all.
Once he got a grumbling Sanemi and Kimiko settled, he decided to seek out Akatsugi for tips on how to regrow his limbs faster. It usually only took Tanjiro around ten to thirty seconds to regrow his limbs, but Akatsugi's was almost instantaneous, and that was what he would need when fighting Kokushibo and Muzan.
He found Akatsugi training in the courtyard while Rengoku watched on from the engawa, a cup of tea in his hands.
"Ah, Kamado-san!" the Flame Pillar exclaimed, glancing up at him.
"Hi," Tanjiro said as he walked up to the yellow-haired man. "Could I have a minute with Akatsugi?"
"I'm sure he'll be happy to speak with you after he finishes his current kata," Rengoku replied, giving his fellow Pillar his usual wide smile. "Meanwhile, please join me!"
Deciding not to interrupt Akatsugi's training, he took the other Hashira up on the offer and knelt next to him.
It took him a moment to recognize what he was seeing from the former Waxing Moon, but when he did, his jaw dropped.
"Is that…?" he asked, turning to Rengoku and pointing out at the other demon.
The Flame Pillar's smile widened. "It is."
Tanjiro looked between him and Akatsugi several times before settling on Rengoku again. "You taught him your breathing style?!"
"With Ubuyashiki-sama's permission, of course! He has been a fine student!"
And of course Rengoku would say that.
The surrealism that had almost faded suddenly came back full force, leaving Tanjiro feeling like he was floundering for the first time in a while. He knew this was a positive development (despite realizing how it could go wrong), but he still didn't like feeling so… unbalanced. Akatsugi even held knives in his fists. Was this really the world that always started from the same point in time for him? It didn't feel like it.
"I am glad I could return to see his progress," the Flame Hashira went on, looking out at his student.
"Did you recently return from a mission?" Tanjiro asked. At least that was familiar territory.
"Hm!" Rengoku replied, nodding emphatically. "A short one. Oyakata-sama finally allowed for at least one pillar to be here while Akatsugi remains. It seems he's been a little lax on taking his own safety seriously lately and has refused having any Pillars or even lower-ranked slayers that aren't Kakushi!" The older man shook his head in disappointment, despite the smile still on his face. (Tanjiro always wondered why he smiled like that, but hadn't gotten the courage to ask… and now was no different.) "I am glad he is falling back on previously established protocol from when I became a Pillar! He underestimates how much we need him!"
Tanjiro smiled and nodded. "Me too. So… no other Pillars are here?"
"We expect Iguro Obanai in a couple of day's time!"
The demon pillar frowned, both at the fact that no other Pillars (that weren't demons) were here and how he would be missing Obanai. He would have liked to speak with the Serpent Pillar before he left, but he didn't think he had time to wait. He'd planned on leaving for Himejima-san's as soon as possible for good reason. Perhaps he should send him a message via Kasugai crow?
He'd think on that later. In the meanwhile, he turned back to Rengoku.
"No one else?" Tanjiro asked, a little nervous. He didn't like the idea of leaving two Waxing Moon level demons (and another one on top of that) at the estate with just one Pillar to stop them… although the idea of Akatsugi and Sanemi working together to try and kill Oyakata-sama was… kind of ridiculous. Still… he looked to the Flame Hashira hopefully.
"Mitsuri-san is out on a mission! Tokito-san and Tomioka-san are at the Final Selection! Himejima-san is at the Swordsman village in anticipation of the attack you reported from your memories. Mitsuri-san will be heading to the Village later this week!"
At that, Tanjiro started. "Himejima-san is at the Swordsmith Village?" he asked, disappointed. Did that mean he wouldn't be able to train with the man? And also, why wasn't Tanjiro at the village? Shouldn't he be there? Would two Hashira be enough to defend against two Waxing Moons, even if one of them was Himejima?
"Yes!" Rengoku answered in response to the Sun Hashira's question.
Tanjiro sighed. It looked like he would be staying at the Ubuyashiki estate longer than he'd anticipated. Well, he could still get in his training with Akatsugi at least, and that would mean more Pillars here. Of course, Shinobu was just down the road a little ways, but having more here would put everyone's mind at ease he thought.
Then he realized Rengoku had left one Pillar unaccounted for.
"What about Uzui-san?" he asked.
"Uzui-san is still recovering from his recent mission," the yellow-haired man said before sipping his tea.
Tanjiro frowned. The Sound Pillar hadn't lost an arm this time – or an eye. But he had been poisoned for much longer than before… had it been that bad? Even after he'd burned it out of the man?
Before he could ask, Akatsugi – who had finished his kata – walked up to them, huge grin on his face.
"Kamado!"
Tanjiro sighed. "I've told you. You can call me by my personal name." Was this how Mitsuri felt?
"Whatever. Come and fight me! I've grown stronger!"
Tanjiro found himself smiling at the other demon's exuberance. He seemed to have regained a spark that he'd lost the last time Tanjiro had seen him.
"Sure. But first, I have a few questions for you if you don't mind."
Akatsugi frowned, but shrugged and gestured for him to continue.
"Your limb regrowth is almost instantaneous. So is Kokushibo's. I've never seen Douma lose a limb, but I would assume his is too. Mine takes several seconds – longer when cut with a Nichirin sword –and I need to change that. So how do you regrow your limbs so fast?"
For several seconds, the other two stared at him, Rengoku in mild unease and Akatsugi like he'd never seen the boy in front of him before.
"Huh," the older demon finally said. "It was one of the first things I worked on after I turned, so it always seemed natural to me. I mean, I had to when I just use my fists and everyone else has a weapon of some kind."
Tanjiro nodded. That made sense.
"How did you work on that?" Tanjiro asked.
Akatsugi raised an eyebrow. "I chopped off my hand again and again and again, then focused on how it regrows. Bones first, then muscles and tendons, then skin. After a while, it becomes second nature."
The time-traveler winced. That… didn't sound pleasant at all.
"I… see," he finally replied.
"Come on, I'll show you," the older demon said, gesturing over his shoulder at the courtyard he'd just left.
Tanjiro tried to keep the horror off of his face at the other demon's casual attitude. "You… want me to go and cut off my arms and legs – multiple times – so I can concentrate on regrowing them… right?"
Akatsugi frowned, and Tanjiro felt distinct puzzlement from him – as if he couldn't figure out why Tanjiro didn't want to constantly cut off his own limbs.
"Yeah. I mean, if you want to learn to regrow them faster, that's the only way I know how."
Tanjiro just blinked at him.
Thankfully, Rengoku spoke up. "I don't believe Kamado-san wants to leave his limbs lying around on the grounds. Not only could anyone come upon them, but they also won't disintegrate in the sun like normal demons' limbs would."
And of course Rengoku would miss the entire point (while still bringing up valid concerns). Maybe he shouldn't be surprised the two were friends… Were they friends? They were certainly friendly…
"Right. Well, you can just reabsorb them, then."
More blank looks, this time from the demon slayers.
"What?" Akatsugi asked. Tanjiro could feel frustration from him now. And annoyance.
Tanjiro wasn't sure what to feel, himself.
"Demons… reabsorb their lost limbs?" Rengoku asked, the smile slipping from his face for once, replaced by incredulity.
Akatsugi turned his attention on the older Pillar. "Well, yeah. Muzan didn't like us leaving 'evidence' behind like that. Especially not inside. I mean, you're right about anything left outside as the sun would usually take care of it, but inside buildings and such, yeah. Not that that happened often unless we ran into a Pillar or another demon of similar strength to us."
Tanjiro had to admit, the aftermath of Waxing Moon (and even Waning Moon) attacks tended to be tidier than lesser demons. In his experience, if the demon won, only the blood and bodily remains of the humans could be found.
Huh.
"Wait, you were a Waxing Moon, weren't you?" Akatsugi asked his new progenitor, frown back in place.
"Yeah. Twice," Tanjiro replied, pointing to his eyes.
Akatsugi tipped his head to one side. "And he never told you that?"
Tanjiro shook his head. "The first time, I wasn't a Waxing Moon for very long, and most of my fights took place outside. The second time… I don't think he cared." The younger demon repressed a shudder. "I suppose it never came up."
The former Waxing Third didn't answer for several seconds before something seemed to occur to him.
"You don't know how to manipulate your flesh, do you." He hadn't said it as a question.
Tanjiro almost jumped at that. Because what?!
"That means you got where you did from sheer skill and instinct alone…" Akatsugi continued, his voice quieter, as if talking more to himself. He whistled lowly. Then he shook his head and refocused on Tanjiro.
"Most Waxing Moons – and Muzan, of course – can manipulate their body through will. It's not unlimited, and can take a lot of effort, but usually the ability to manipulate one aspect of yourself – size, function or shape – comes easier than the other two. It's how Muzan can pump blood into people through his finger or grow those giant, disgustingly ugly arms of his in moments. It's also why Kokushibo has six eyes and how Hantengu creates his other bodies."
Tanjiro balked. "Those aren't just parts of their initial demonic transformation?"
Akatsugi shrugged. "Maybe, but I doubt it. How did you go however many dozens of resets you did without knowing this?"
"I was wondering the same thing!" Tanjiro didn't wail, but it was a near thing. It made so much sense how demons manifested at times and explained why both he and Nezuko could change size almost from the moment they were turned in every lifetime. He'd always just thought he'd have to gain more skill and energy and that his demon body would take care of itself. To be fair, that had worked for him so far.
"Huh," the older demon replied, this time looking thoughtful. "Well, it looks like we got our work cut out for us, then. Come on." He turned and stalked off… likely ready to start going after limbs. Um…
Tanjiro looked pleadingly after Akatsugi's back, but to no avail. He turned to Rengoku, hoping for an escape. Unfortunately, the man just smiled.
"Train hard, Kamado-san! Let me know if you need help!"
Tanjiro withheld a groan, suddenly knowing he was in for a very long night.
xXx
It had been a while since Shinjuro had been to this particular town. He remembered staying here before his brothers had taken their Final Selection, and even before his own. He also remembered staying here before Kyojuro's Final Selection, although that had been a far less pleasant memory. That hadn't been long after Ruka died and after his… failed mission against Waxing One. He hadn't been the best company at the time, he knew.
That felt like a lifetime ago… and yet like yesterday all at once. He wished he could forget his anger, resentment and depression, but also knew he never could. He hoped he never would because he had to stop himself from going there again. He'd done that to his sons once. If he ever did so again, he may as well commit seppuku. That would be a far more fitting end for someone so despicable as to put his family through that twice. So no, he couldn't forget.
Ever.
He would always be grateful to Urokodaki for dragging him out of that.
So being here was good. A sign of his new commitment to his family's legacy and his children. And his ward.
He glanced over at the bundle on the other side of the room, barely visible in the moonlight, and smiled. He'd never thought he'd be caring for a girl but Hanako was truly a joy to teach. Not as exuberant as Kyojuro or as timid as Senjuro, although just about as earnest as both of them. Her earnestness came in the form of a stony determination, one he'd seen on her siblings a couple of times even. It must run in the family; heated by a fiery passion and shaped by their moral compass, then cooled by the knowledge of what they had to lose.
It was… a change. In more ways than one.
He didn't think she'd ever slept alone before she'd come to his estate. It had taken her a while to adjust, and she had, but she always seemed to sleep better when someone else was in the room with her. It showed how much trust she had in her family and those she learned from. It always amazed him how quickly she fell asleep when they traveled and had to share a room. At the Rengoku estate, he would hear her toss and turn for hours before she finally settled down in the next room over. And he couldn't seem to sleep until she had.
Shinjuro also didn't like sleeping when traveling. Such a change from his days in the Corps when he would find any excuse to nap so he would be prepared to fight demons. Now, though, he dreaded the thought of letting his guard down – of potentially failing the child who had been put under his care. Of even being a moment too late…
He was positive that led back to his failed encounter with Waxing One too. He hated how deeply that had scarred him. Just one encounter… but seeing how completely and thoroughly outmatched he had been had opened his eyes to just how lucky he was to have survived his youth. The fact that he'd made Hashira and had been the only one of his siblings to grow old enough to have a family had given him an inkling, but he hadn't known how dangerous demons could become. Not really.
Especially not Waxing Moons.
Sighing from where he sat near the window of the room he'd rented – thankful that his family was wealthy enough to rent one of the private rooms – he looked up at the moon, barely visible under the top rim of the windowsill. The stars looked brilliant, shining like the little lanterns he'd always thought them to be, powerful but distant and encouraging. But as lovely as the view was, he wished he had made the decision to continue towards the Rengoku Estate. Even now, his skin crawled and the idea of even lying down caused his stomach to clench. He knew he'd made the right choice. Traveling at night with a child when his warrior's spirit could attract any demon looking for a meal would be the height of irresponsibility. That didn't stop the fact that doing so would have made him more comfortable than… this.
Sleep. He needed sleep.
Shifting so he lay on the borrowed futon, he tried to relax and get comfortable. He tried to force himself to sleep like he remembered being able to do when he was younger. He tried not to think about how tired he would be tomorrow… with little success.
He had no idea how long he lay there, tossing and turning. However, he had finally begun to actually drift off when he felt it; a disturbance that grew into a confident demonic power.
Coming towards their inn.
Immediately, any drowsiness left him and he shot up in bed.
Grabbing his sword, he hurried over to Hanako, gently shaking her awake.
"Hanako," he whispered softly.
She groaned quietly, reluctant to leave her dreams, but her eyes focused on him after a couple of seconds, confused and heavy with sleep.
"Sensei?" she asked, her voice croaking a little.
He put a finger to his lips and nodded towards her sword. It took her a moment to realize what he meant, but once she did, her eyes flew wide and she scrambled for the blade.
"Get dressed and pack, quickly," he made sure to use as much emphasis on that last word as he could at the loudest volume he dared. She nodded and grabbed for her haori. Shinjuro did the same, thankful that all he needed to do was dress, as they hadn't unpacked anything else from their bags.
In minutes, they were ready to leave. Before sliding the door open, though, Shinjuro turned and handed her his pack.
"Whatever is waiting for us is strong. This is beyond you, Hanako. You are a talented and determined student, you will go far, but only if you avoid this fight. Promise me that no matter what happens, you will run." He paused at that, ignoring the horror on her face at his words.
"Do you know how to get back to Urokodaki-sensei's from here?"
Hanako blinked, but then slowly nodded.
"Good. Go there. Do not wait for me."
"B-but Sensei—" she started to protest.
He knelt before her. "The fact that you want to fight for me warms my heart," he said. "It means I have made an impression as a sensei." If only he'd had the presence of mind to do the same with both his children.
Thinking of…
"And please tell both of my sons that I love them," he whispered. "And that no matter what they do or what they choose, I am proud to be their father."
Hanako gasped. "Y-you make it sound like you aren't coming back," she whispered, tears forming in her eyes.
He tried to smile and reassure her. He didn't think he succeeded.
"That is always a possibility when facing a demon. Remember that, Hanako. This is what it means to put our lives on the line as demon slayers. We go into each battle knowing we may not walk out of it again. But…" he faded off, waiting for her to finish the thought he'd so recently re-adopted.
"That doesn't mean we don't fight," she finished.
He nodded and put a hand on top of her head.
"But I can fight!" she protested.
He shook his head. "No, child, you can't. Not right now. One day, I have no doubt you will be a wonderful swordswoman. But right now, all you would be is a small distraction at best, and expecting more of yourself is wrong. You are a child, Hanako. And sometimes, being physically able to fight doesn't mean you should. That is what I mean when I say to gauge your fights. You must weigh the potential success of a fight against the potential losses."
"I don't want to lose you," she said desperately.
"And I don't want to lose you. You are the future of the demon Corps. You are the future of your family. Now is not your time to fight. That will come eventually, but you cannot seek it out before you are ready.
"Now, will you promise me?"
She bit her lip, tears dripping down her cheeks. Then she looked down and nodded. "I… I promise I will run, Sensei."
"Good girl. I am proud of you, too."
Before he could move, she threw her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly. "Be safe, Sensei! Survive and come back!"
"I will do my best," he replied, stroking her hair. "Now go."
She looked pleadingly at him, perhaps hoping he'd change his mind, but he just gestured with his chin for her to move. Still crying, she turned and shot off down the hall, clutching his bag to her chest while hers thumped across her back as she ran.
He watched her sadly for several seconds before he turned and crept towards the window again. Once in position, he took a deep breath and centered himself. Then he looked out onto the street below and met six eyes looking up at him.
That almost undid him.
He knew that gaze.
"Waxing One…" he whispered, his heart freezing in fear. Any calm he had gained failed him at that sight and it took him far too long to gain it back. Even remembering the little girl who was counting on him to at least distract this demon only helped, warring with the utter fear and how every sense in his body screamed for him to run.
But even if he tried, he had little doubt Waxing One would mark him, match him, and find him. A little girl running may go under his radar, but a former Pillar? No.
"I know you are there, Demon Slayer," the demon's cold voice drew him out of his thoughts, sending shivers down his spine. "Bring the child, and I may let you live."
That, more than anything else, gave him the push he needed.
Taking a deep breath, he turned and crawled out through the window, leaping down and landing on the street in front of his worst memory and one of his greatest nightmares.
"What child?" he asked, hoping he sounded calmer than he felt. He hadn't been this bad since his Final Selection.
"The sun child. Muzan-sama has decided the older two will no longer serve and has turned his eyes on the younger siblings. You have one here, and you cannot stand against me. Give her to me and she will not be killed. I may even let you go."
And Shinjuro put it together.
"No. He'll just turn her into a demon, then abuse her and drive her until she supposedly conquers the sun and he can absorb her into him." He growled, his fear receding under the anger that suddenly surged upwards. "A fate far worse than death. Too bad for you, I already sent her away. She should be half-way to the Rengoku estate by this point." Or just outside of town, heading towards Urokodaki's. He wasn't above misleading these monsters.
The demon just cocked his head to one side, as if curious or studying something. Then he took a stance.
"Very well. I shall extract the information from you. I will find her."
Please let me stall him long enough for her to get away, Shinjuro thought – begged any kami that could hear him. Then he drew his sword and took a stance of his own.
"Over my dead body," he replied calmly.
The smug, knowing smile that quirked the end of the Kizuki's lips sent yet another shiver down his spine.
"Perhaps," was all the demon said. Shinjuro wasn't entirely sure what to think of that.
Then they moved, both lunging forward, and the battle began.
xXx
Hanako huffed as she crested a hill that would lead her out of town. She had promised she would run but… she looked back and saw flashes of swords in the moonlight, near the inn. She was grateful the village's layout over hills allowed her to view it. Gasping, she looked around and managed to duck behind a nearby house, then peeked out. She had to know what would happen.
The confrontation wasn't extremely far away, but she still had difficulties making out details. Even with that handicap, it took her breath away. Unlike when Sensei had fought Nii-san, she could almost see it – almost follow the battle – and got more than just flashes, but she had to look hard and concentrate. No wonder Sensei had wanted her to run. She wouldn't have lasted a second…
"I won't let you have her!" she heard Sensei shout and her breath caught in her throat. The demon was after her? But… why?
"You have no choice," the calm, derisive words of the demon returned. He swept his sword and what looked like slices of the moon twirled in the air behind him, blades cutting into the inn behind Sensei, who barely managed to block. Hanako put a hand to her mouth. Had he just killed anyone? She wasn't sure… but she hoped not.
And yet her Sensei fought, pouring on his determination and pushing himself until she could, once again, only see a blur. The demon matched him blow for blow easily.
And then the demon slayer somehow got faster, shouting as he put his all into the fight.
"Ah. I see you have received your mark," the demon said as Sensei backed away, breathing heavily, but he also retook his stance. He didn't answer.
"It will not be enough," the demon said calmly, as if stating a fact. "Sixth Form: Perpetual Night, Lonely Moon, Incessant!" the demon stated, several slashes full of the moon-shaped blades streaming towards Sensei. Hanako had to bite down on her hand to stop herself from screaming out.
"Fourth Form: Blooming Flame Undulation!" Sensei yelled, his arms practically disappearing, they moved so quickly.
He'd managed to shift position, from the inn at his back to the length of the street, so the blades hit the dirt behind him and missed the buildings, but it took a lot out of the yellow-haired man, Hanako could tell.
So… this was an actual fight to the death.
And her Sensei was losing.
"Impressive," she heard the demon say, his voice carrying through the night air as if he'd been shouting, even though he spoke calmly. "Your form focuses on dexterity, moving around obstacles while still hitting them and doing damage as flames do. But even with that defensive form, you would not have been able to block so well had you not obtained your mark. You are slowing down. My next attack will defeat you. You know this, so tell me where the child is."
"I told you! She's gone!" Sensei shouted.
Hanako could see people close the doors and windows of their houses as quietly as they could, realizing there was a fight and that they wanted no part of it. Hanako couldn't blame them, but she wished someone would do something.
She wished she could do something. But she had promised… and there was literally nothing she could do that wouldn't simply give herself away along with Sensei, or handicap him.
"Then it seems I have no more use for you," the demon said. "First Form: Dark Moon, Evening Palace."
He sheathed his blade and then Sensei was flying down the street. She hadn't even seen the demon move…
She'd heard of a demon that used sword techniques… Waxing One. That was the strongest demon in existence next to Muzan himself.
Why?! Why had this happened?
Sensei yelled out in pain as he fell back. The technique had hit his sword, but… also all around the blade. His shoulders… she could see the blood flying through the air from here. That had been a deep cut… could anyone survive that?
"Hmm. You managed to stay alive," she heard the demon say, his back to her. "Impressive, for a former Pillar. I can see why Muzan-sama sent me after you. But in the end, you weren't good enough."
"You're wrong," Sensei's voice refuted weakly. "I was just strong enough."
With that, Hanako turned and ran, not wanting to see him kill her Sensei. She tried not to sob as her feet pounded on the packed dirt of the road, but she had no idea how well she succeeded as she stumbled through the dark night in the general direction of where she needed to go.
Only when the sun rose did she finally slow down to an exhausted half-walk, half-stumble.
Despite what she'd seen, she'd hoped that Sensei had had another trick up his sleeve – that he would somehow catch up if he'd lived.
He didn't.
xXx
AN: In the words of the Doctor: I'm sorry. I am so, so sorry.
Also, thank you to Kaylessa, TimeLordTim, Found and Quathis for their beta reading skillz of awesome!
Discord: discord. gg/xDDz3gqWfy (no spaces) If you want to come yell at me, I suppose. *ahem*
