Natsu and Tanjirou only walked a few yards away from the front entrance of the Tsuzumi Mansion. "It's kind of dark in here..." Natsu looked back a bit at Tanjirou. "You're okay, Tanjirou?"
"To be honest with you, Natsu, I'm not. I broke my ribs and part of my leg." Tanjirou told Natsu.
Natsu stopped for a moment, which caused Tanjirou to stop. "Wait! Your body's not fully healed from the last mission, and they're still making you fight?"
"Um... yes."
Natsu looked at Tanjirou like he needs help. "That's messed up. What your heart gave out while fighting a demon, or what your ribs accidentally puncture your lungs? You'll be a total goner!" Natsu complained for Tanjirou's safety.
"I appreciate your concern for my well-being, Natsu. I do. But we need to focus on the matter at hand. We have to slay this demon who's roaming this mansion." Tanjirou informed Natsu of what they came to do.
"I understand that, but the least the Demon Slayer Corps. could do is make sure you-" Natsu gasped as he looked passed Tanjirou. His eyes had spotted a corner, as he spotted two children run towards his direction. It was Shoichi and Teruko, who seemed a little scared. "What the-"
"What is it? Is it a demon?" Tanjirou grabbed his hilt and turned around where Natsu looked and spotted the two kids from outside the Tsuzumi Mansion. His eyes widened as he learned that the kids abandoned the Nezuko's box. "Don't come any closer!"
"Sorry, mister. Your box was making scratchy noises and i-it frightened us!" Shoichi said as he walked to both Natsu and Tanjirou. "I told you to stay near the box! It's worth more than you could possibly understand! It's even worth more than my own life!" Tanjirou yelled.
"Tanjirou. Calm down!" Natsu said, placing a hand on Tanjirou's shoulder, trying to reason with him.
"I can't!" Tanjirou replied as he turned to Natsu, knocking his hand away. He felt a little upset. "That box is everything I-"
Tanjirou was interrupted by a loud growl, which partially shook the Tsuzumi Mansion. Natsu and Tanjirou were alerted by the roar and grabbed their hilts to prepare for the demon.
'I'm picking up a strong odor. But, where's it coming from?' Tanjirou thought, as his eyes quickly looked left and right.
Natsu was alerted, knowing that a demon could come out at any moment. "Hey, Tanjirou."
"Yeah?"
"I think we should take the kids out of here. It's not safe for them." Natsu said as he glance at Shoichi and Teruko for a second.
"I think you're right." Tanjirou nodded. He then looked at Shoichi and Teruko. "Listen. It's not safe for you two. We need to get you out of here." Tanjirou said in a calm voice.
"Okay." Teruko shudders a bit, until she glances over at an empty room within the mansion. "But, what about in here?" She then ran into a nearby room for leverage. This caused the boys to gasp and worries.
"No! Not in there!" Tanjirou yelled as he ran in the room after her.
As soon as Tanjirou caught up with Teruko, the room suddenly disappeared from both Natsu and Shoichi's eyes. This brings shock to their eyes as what they had witnessed.
Natsu paused. 'The room just disappeared!'
Shoichi gritted his teeth out of worry. His sister and Tanjirou disappeared in front of his eyes. "Teruko! Teruko! Teruko! Whaere are you!" Shoichi shouted as he looked left and right, hoping that Teruko would answer her. He thought about going off on his own, but his robe was grappled by Natsu.
"Wait, Shoichi! You can't go off on your own!" Natsu said.
"I have to protect my sister! Teruko needs me!" Shoichi yelled.
"I get what you're saying. You want to protect your sister." Natsu then grabbed Shoichi's wrist and ran towards the front entrance. "But first, we need to get you out of here." As he opened the door to the front entrance, a room had suddenly appeared in front of them instead of the way to outside. He stared at the room. 'Wait, this can't be right... this is supposed to be the front entrance...'
"Hey, Natsu. Are we lost?" Shoichi asked.
Natsu looked at Shoichi. "Uh... lost? No. We're not."
"Are you sure? Because if I remember right, this was supposed to be the front entrance." Shoichi pointed towards the room in front of them.
"You're right. This was supposed to be the front entrance. But... something's off." Natsu replied to Shoichi. 'What's going on, here? The front entrance used to be right here...' Natsu started to think back the moment he had entered the mansion. 'First, Teruko, Shoichi, Tanjirou and I had entered the front entrance... then Teruko ran into a room where Tanjirou followed into... the next moment they both disappeared... and so did the room... And now that we're back at the front entrance, there's suddenly a room. Oh. I also heard the sound of a Tsuzumi drum. That was odd. Why did I hear a drum... a drum...' Natsu began thinking back of what had happened since he entered the mansion. Something clicked within Natsu's mind. "Ah!"
"What's wrong?" Shoichi asked.
Natsu then turned to Shoichi. "I think I know what's going on with this mansion!"
Meanwhile, Tanjirou held Teruko in his arms, as they were transported to another room inside of the Tsuzumi Mansion. The lights had suddenly came on in the room all of a sudden. They both looked around at some of the walls and furniture.
'What happened? Did we move?' Tanjirou grunted. 'No. The room changed at the sound of that drum...'
Teruko began crying within Tanjirou's arms, as she was scared.
Tanjirou could see Truko visibly crying and tried to comfort her to the best of his abilities. "Aw, don't cry, Teruko. Sorry to split you up from your brother. But, don't worry. I promise that I'll protect you. And Natsu will protect your brother."
"Y... you mean it?" Teruko asked, as she began to cry less.
"Of course I do. We're Demons Slayers, after all..." Tanjirou smiled. The next two seconds, Tanjirou heard big footsteps that came from the hallway. He wore a serious looked towards that direction. He kept Teruko close to him, so she wouldn't run off. 'No way...'
The next five seconds, a large foot of a demon appeared in front of them. The next four seconds, a large demon named Kyogai had appeared fully in front of them. He was an eight-foot tall demon, that had gray skin, he had long dark hair, bloody red eyes, sharp teeth, black markings on his face, and Tsuzumi drums planted attached to his limbs such as two front shoulders, two thighs and lower belly. He did not bother to look at Tanjirou and Teruko.
Tanjirou silently grunted towards him. 'Tch! Out of all the scent, this one is the strongest! He's eaten many people... which means he's this mansion's lord!' Tanjirou stares at the Tsuzumi drums attatched to his limbs. 'And by the look of it, he must be the one changing the rooms with those Tsuzumi drums attached to his body.'
Teruko nearly screamed, but Tanjirou covered her mouth quickly.
Meanwhile, Natsu and Shoichi was searching room by room, hoping that they could find Tanjirou, Teruko and Kiyoshi. They searched through the first floor of the halls, until they came across one door. Natsu had opened it to see a person standing in the dark room with their back turned.
"Who's there?" Natsu asked as he stared at the person in the dark. Natsu gazed at the person in the dark, as the mysterious person turn their head around and stared at him. "Uh?" Natsu recognized the boar hide on the person's head. The burning blue eyes on the hide, the sharp tusks. It happened to be no other person than Inosuke Hashibara.
Inosuke remained quiet. Then he snorted, relieving air from his snout.
Natsu felt calm and smiled as he recognized Inosuke in the dark. "It's you... Inos-"
Inosuke then speed dashed past both Natsu and Shoichi. He jumped around in the halls, before running off. Not paying any attention to Natsu.
"Wait, Inosuke!" Natsu tried to call for his attention, but Inosuke had ran to fast down the hall to pursue demons. 'He's gotten faster since the Final Selection Exams...' Natsu noted as he watched Inosuke run elsewhere.
"Natsu. Do you know that guy?" Shoichi asked.
"Hm?" Natsu turned to Shoichi. "Yeah, I do. We passed the Final Selection Exams, together." Natsu explained to Shoichi.
"But, he didn't recognize you. I wonder, why is that?" Shoichi pointed at him.
"Um..." Natsu rubbed the back of his head, feeling a little embarrassed. "You know what, let's keep moving." He dodged Shoichi's question by continuing to roam the Tsuzumi Mansion.
"Okay..." Shoichi followed Natsu around.
Six minutes later, Natsu and Shoichi continued to walk around the first floor of the mansion, until they walk pass a porch. A gray-skinned demon was lying in wait, stalking the two boys.
Natsu suddenly stopped as he heard an unfamiliar step within a yard around him. His senses were alerted and he was ready to grab his blade's hilt. "Shoichi, do you here that?" Natsu asked Shoichi, who seemed to be tired a bit.
Shoichi wiped his eyes as they had gotten heavier. "No... I haven't heard anything."
"You're okay, Shoichi?" Natsu asked, as he saw Shoichi was getting sleepy.
"Sorry... I'm just a little tired, that's all." Shoichi said.
"Don't worry, Shoichi. We're almost there. As soon as we find your brother and sister, you can sleep as much as you want." Natsu said as he placed his hand on Shoichi's left shoulder.
"Okay..." A drowsy Shoichi said.
Seconds later, a gray-skinned demon with dark blue hair, four eyes and an extensive tongue had slowly crawled from under a porch and approached the two boys.
"Heh. Heh." The demon snickered at them. "What do we have here? Two children wondering around Kyogai's mansion. They should taste good!" The demon licked its lips.
Shoichi's eyes had gotten bigger, as he stared at the creepy demon with green drapes.
Natsu quickly pulled out his Nichirin sword and pointed it towards the demon's head. "Stay back, Shoichi! There's a demon!"
"O-okay!" Shoichi quickly moved back and ran a few feet away from the demon and Natsu.
The demon licked its mouth with its sharp tongue and looked at Natsu. "You're mine, redhead!" The demon extended its sharp tongue towards Natsu, attmpting to pierce his head. Within a matter of a second, Natsu quickly slashed off the tip of the demon's tongue, severing it. 'What? He cut off the tip of my tongue within an instant!'
Natsu gritted his teeth, sucking on air and prepared to use one of his Flame Breathing techniques. 'Flame Breathing. First form... Flame Strike!' Natsu silently yelled as he quickly dashed towards the demon and severed it head with his flame coated katana.
One second, the demon was focusing to regenerate his sharp tongue. The next second, he noticed he was flying. 'Wait, what?' But he wasn't. As his head hit the floor, he realized that he has been decapitated by the redheaded Demon Slayer. 'I've been killed? This can't be right!' The demon then noticed its life was fading away by evaporating. "Curses..." He mutters before disappearing from existence.
Natsu quickly placed his Nichirin blade back into its sheath.
Shoichi gasped in amazement. "That was amazing! You saved my life!"
"Hm?"
"What you did just there to that demon. It was awesome!" Shoichi said with excitement in his eyes. For once, Shoichi's brown eyes weren't filled with fear, but with excitement.
"I'm glad you like it." Natsu smiled. "Let's keep moving!"
"Okay!" Shoichi nodded.
Meanwhile...
Tanjirou ran through the dark halls of the Tsuzumi Mansion after defeating Kyogai, the former member of the Twelve Kizuki. Lower Rank Six. He still seemed to be bruised up from his recent battle. He rushed towards the room where Teruko and Kiyoshi were in. As soon as he opened the door, he was met by a barrage of adamant objects thrown it him by the siblings.
"Why are throwing things at me?" Tanjirou yelled as he rubbed his forehead.
"Sorry, Tanjirou." Kiyoshi apologized. "The Tsuzumi Drum we had suddenly disappears and we panicked..."
"It's okay. You don't have to worry, anymore. I took care of the demon that took you." Tanjirou informed the two siblings.
Teruko starts crying out of grief.
"Hurry, Kiyoshi. Hop on my back." Tanjirou kneeld as he and told an injured Kiyoshi.
"Alright." Kiyoshi then climbed onto Tanjirou's back as instructed.
Seconds later... the door was opened.
"Hey, Tanjirou! We're here! Shoichi and I-"
"Eek!" Teruko screamed as she hit Natsu in the forehead with an metal pot.
"Oof!" Natsu grumbled as he grasped his forehead, aching a bit.
"Uh?" Teruko, Kiyoshi paused.
"Natsu, you made it!" Tanjirou said.
"Hey, Tanjirou. What was that?" Natsu said still grumbling.
"S-sorry, Natsu!" Teruko quickly apologized to Natsu after recognizing him.
"It's alright... you have a heck of an arm to throw something heavy." Natsu complimented Teruko's strength, which made her smile.
"Hey, Natsu. I heard a scream! Is Teruko in here?" Shoichi said as he ran into the room and saw all three Tanjirou, Teruko and his lost brother, Kiyoshi. He teared up and gasped. "Kiyoshi! Teruko!"
"Shoichi!" Both Kiyoshi and Teruko chanted his name.
"Kiyoshi! You're okay!" Shoichi said as he hugged Teruko.
"Tanjirou. Is everything good? Did you take out the demon?" Natsu asked as he walked up to Tanjirou.
Tanjirou happily nodded. "Mm-hmm. I took care of the demon lord of this mansion."
"Oh, that's good to know." Natsu replied, then noticed Kiyoshi who is on Tanjirou's back. "Is that the person related to Shoichi and Teruko?"
"Yeah. This is there older brother, Kiyoshi. The one we came to rescue.
"Okay. Nice to meet you, Kiyoshi. I'm Natsu Rengoku." Natsu had introduced himself.
"Hi." Kiyoshi replied.
"We can finally leave this place." Tanjirou said.
Natsu agreed on the idea, until he gained second thoughts. "You guys go ahead. I'll catch up."
"Huh? You're not coming with us?" Tanjirou asked, confused.
"It's not that I want to go with you, or anything... I just want to make sure that there no other demons roaming this mansion. That's all." Natsu told Tanjirou.
"Oh. Okay."
"Natsu, can I go with you?" Shoichi asked.
Kiyoshi looked at his younger brother. "Shoichi?"
"Um, that wouldn't be a great idea." Natsu kindly brushed Natsu off.
"Why not? I saw you kill that tongue demon with my very own eyes. I want to see you kill more demons!" Shoichi bragged a bit.
"I appreciate the flattery, but it'd be best if you stayed with your siblings. You'll be safe with Tanjirou, though. He's just as strong as I am." Natsu chuckled.
"Okay..."
Natsu walked to both Shoichi and Teruko and patted their heads. "Don't worry, Shoichi. As soon as I'm done searching the mansion, I'll come outside immediately. Heh." Natsu smiled, showing his white teeth.
Teruko happily blush.
Natsu ran outside of the door. "I'll catch up with you guys!" He then ran in the dark halls of the Tsuzumi mansion. He spent twenty minutes searching the entire mansion, searching room-from-froom. He found absolutely nothing within the mansion, except for a corpse. Natsu looked at the corpse out of pity. 'If only we had made it in time... I'm sorry.' He then carefully carried the corpse towards the front entrance. He left the body by the front entrance of the Tsuzumi Mansion.
"Hey, guys! I'm here-" As soon as he ran outside, he saw something that was odd. Natsu looked around and saw Zenitsu beaten up, cowering behind Teruko and Inosuke Hashibira on the ground, with Zenitu's haori over his chest and Tanjirou's haori used as a pillow.
"Uh, what happened?" Natsu asked.
"N-Natsu!" Zenitsu cried. Then he rushed towards him and tugged onto his haori. "Where have you been! I've been screaming your name for like, hours, man!" He screamed.
"Hours? It hasn't even been a whole hour since we've been here. By the way, why are you all beat up? And who's she?" Natsu asked as he looked at his friends, and then he looked at the unconscious Inosuke Hashibira. Who lied on the ground.
"That's a guy." Tanjirou said.
"What?" Natsu looked to Tanjirou.
A Few Moments Later...
"So, that's really what happened. In order to protect what was inside of Tanjirou's box... you had to fend off guy, named, Inosuke... Hashibira?
"Yeah, that's right." Tanjirou said.
"But, how do you write that?" Natsu asked, looking a bit confused.
"He said that he couldn't read or write..." Tanjirou chuckled.
"Huh." Natsu then looked at Zenitsu. "Then, Zenitsu took a beating from Inosuke and Tanjirou ended up knocking him out with a single headbutt..." Natsu thought out loud as he summed up the situation.
"Yeah. That's about it." Tanjirou said he, Zenitsu and the three kids were burying a body.
Natsu blinked, once. "Alright. I'll go get the other body." Natsu went back to the front entrance and pulled the other corpse outside. He and the others soon burried the corpse of a person that was killed by a demon.
Inosuke had lied within deep sleep as the bodies were being buried. Six seconds later, Inosuke gasped, and his eyes shot open, as if he had forgotten something. He jumped out from Zenitsu's haori and land on his feet, screaming. "YAAAAAAHH!"
"He's back up!" Zenitsu noted as he was a few feet close towards Inosuke.
Inosuke spotted Zenitsu close by and started chasing him. "I'm not done fighting! Let's go for another round!"
"You just woke up! Stop chasing me!" Zenitsu screamed as he ran for life.
Inosuke looked to his left and spotted Natsu, Tanjirou and three kids by two buried wholes. He stopped chasing Zenitsu, who hid behind a tree, scared. "What's going on, here!"
"Hi, Inosuke." Natsu waved.
Inosuke planted his feet into the ground and stared at Natsu. "You. You look strong. Fight me!" He said as he raised two fists.
"Are you sure? You're not fully healed, though..." Natsu blinked.
"Who cares if I'm not fully healed! I'm already as tough as nails! I can take on anything and still stand!" Inosuke yelled proudly.
'This guy is nuts...' Zenitsu thought as he stared.
'Do I have a choice? He already has broken ribs. I don't him to destroy his body even further, though... but, he acts like everything is just one big fight.'
Inosuke quickly put his hide back onto his head and prepared to fight Natsu in hand-to-hand combat.
'I'll try to hold back as much strength.' Natsu thought as he had gripped his right fist.
"Alright, let's go!" He yelled as he charged.
Natsu stood his ground and raised one arm in front. Giving Inosuke a single jab to the boar snout.
Tanjirou, Zenitsu and the three kids such as Kiyoshi, Teruko and Shoichi had gasped as they witness Natsu jab Inosuke in the snout.
Within a moment, Inosuke stood like a statue and in the next... Inosuke slowly tumbled on his back.
'He's really strong...' Shoichi, Teruko and Kiyoshi thought as they had witnessed Natsu knock out Inosuke.
'That was easy... I wish I could do that.' Zenitsu thought as he stared.
Tanjirou just watched for a moment.
Later That Day...
After the burial, the young Demon Slayers and the young kids had all traveled down the mountain, together. Zenitsu who was scared during their way down had latched onto Natsu's back. He wouldn't stop whining about Inosuke threatening him.
A talking crow came out of nowhere and spat out a small pouch into Kiyoshi's hands which was drowning with wisteria scent.
"Thank you for everything!" Kiyoshi thanked the Demon Slayers. Shoichi waved and Teruko bowed. The siblings and the Demon Slayer had begun to go on their separate ways from each other, until... Shoichi decided to run back and say something.
"Hey, Natsu!" Shoichi called for his attention.
Natsu and the other Demon Slayers stop for a moment once they here Shhoichi's voice."What's wrong, Shoichi?" Natsu asked.
"Nothing! I've just decided on something..."
"Yeah?"
Shoichi gripped his fists. "I... I want to be A Demon Slayer, just like you! I want to be strong enough to protect my siblings and other people from demons! Like when you and your friends protected us, earlier today!"
Hearing that put a happy smile onto Natsu's face. "Well I'm glad you feel that way! I hope you do become a Demon Slayer, though! We can work together!"
Shoichi happily gazed. "I hope I get the chance to see you again!"
"Me too! Take care!" Natsu waved, as he saw Shoichi run off.
Natsu and Zenitsu smiled as Inosuke rammed his boar hide into a nearby tree.
"Caw! Come with me! Caw!" the messenger crow cawed as it led them down a mountain.