THE COLOR OF THE WORLD

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Disclaimer: Kimetsu no Yaiba belongs to Koyoharu Gotouge

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Genre(s): Adventure/ Hurt/Comfort

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Warning(s): Typo is my most loyal fan, spelling mistakes because English is not my mother language, Possibly OOC and a lot of Angst. I hope.

Beta'ed by LamboLover36. Thank you so much~

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Manga: Chapter 36, 37, 38, 39 & 40

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Nezuko choked on her own saliva when one of the Demon Hunter members—a boy maybe three years older than her. Short, black hair and bangs cut in a tidy, horizontal line. A cocky smirk adorned his sturdy jaw. So sure with himself that he could kill this 'kiddy' demon and get safely promoted. Drowning in an illusion that he's stronger, tougher, faster—fell to pieces like he was nothing. Literally to pieces, meat and blood included. Because somehow, without her eyes seeing his hands move, the kid sliced him up at the speed of light, the teen doesn't even have time to scream. At least he's not suffering, was the only thing that appeased the horrified girl. At least he didn't feel any pain as he died and I couldn't do anything to save him—

"Take it back…" the youngest demon's voice echoed, guttural sounds that made the hair on her neck stand. The atmosphere turned tenser, the air turned colder, Nezuko unconsciously took a step back. He kept growling, pupil shrinking and nerves bunching, his expression looked deranged. So different from his apathetic boredom just a moment ago, "take that word back. Or I will mince you up after I'm done completely shredding you. So take that word back!"

"Kuh…" she had a hard time breathing, her body trembling from his pressure alone. But determination was lit in those burgundy eyes, and she took a stance, "never. I will not take it back. What I've said isn't wrong!" because family should love each other. Should protect each other. Should help each other. Not this. Not this terrifying, sorrowful, sad, sad, sad show of a bond, "you're the strange one! Thinking you can control what others should do. The one who's wrong…" she lept, the kid twitched his fingers, Nezuko ducked under the wire that moved, "IS YOU!"

She danced under the dangerous thread gracefully, thanking her sharp Sight that showed her its color—albeit transparent—so she could evade them easily. Nezuko was almost right in his personal space. But the kid was quicker than her, as he created another batch of thread that flew everywhere and provided no opening for the girl to sneak into, she had to jump back. When the attack didn't stop and kept proceeding towards her, Nezuko maneuvered one of her swords to the side of her shoulder, water started exploding from the blue blade, "Breath of Water, First Style—" and she swung it to the opposite direction, ready to cut the wire like what she did to Mother's before, "SURFACE SLICE—"

SLAAASSHHH

Yet she could only widen her eyes in horror when the niichirin blade—the blade that could split the boulder Sakonji prepared. The blade that could chop the head of the Green Demon with thick hands. The blade that could hack the big trunk of the tallest tree in one swipe—broke. Half of the blade was gone, the only remaining piece of the beautiful iron Haganezuka was so proud of was now on its handle.

…what?

Then she fell dramatically to the ground when the wire she intended to cut sliced her cheek instead, the stinging pain registered five seconds later.

Wha, wha, wha, wha, WHAT? THE BLADE BROKE?! Nezuko rolled, dodging the incoming strikes that came a lot more frequently, now that she's in a vulnerable position and the kid not wanting to miss this opportunity. I don't believe it! The string this guy is manipulating…is it even stronger than the body of that demon I couldn't cut a while ago?

A strike from the left, she dodged. Another from below, she jumped. The third one from each of her sides, she did the bridge pose then cartwheeled back. She couldn't do it. These strings are moving as if they're alive, Nezuko couldn't cut them and couldn't keep avoiding them even with her Sight warned her of the incoming attacks, her strength won't last. It was clear she's getting driven into a corner just from this, even though he's playing around like he isn't going to kill her; he said he'll torture her first before he killed her, right? Because she won't take the words back (she still won't, by the way. No matter how her life was in danger, she wouldn't let that truth be buried by this kid who was hiding under the covers and won't face the reality). One last pull from his nimble fingers, and every single corner of her body was suddenly covered by the transparent thread. Surrounding her and overwhelming her entirely, I can't dodge it in time—

The air whistled, the kid's eyes widened. A shadow descended upon Nezuko and she gasped—

CRAS CRAS CRAS CRAS

—when Tanjiro—already in his teenager form—stood protectively in front of her, taking on the devastating attacks with his body alone.

"NIICHAN!"

No, no, no, no, no! Nezuko immediately grabbed onto his waist—he grunted in pain—and pushed him to the side, taking shelter inside the foliage. She didn't care that the demons were still there, watching them with shock written in their pale complexion. She didn't care that the kid didn't continue his onslaught and preferred to observe them, disbelief shown as his eyebrows rose high. She didn't. The only thing she cared about right now was her brother. Her precious, over-freaking-protective brother that sacrificed most of his skin and tore both of his wrists to protect this stupid, not-quick-enough sister—, "please, please, please, be okay" Nezuko rummaged through the box she carried, plucking three anpans and two dorayakis from the compartment. Then she pulled the mouth guard of his away and shoved a snack into his mouth, Tanjiro almost choked, "please heal yourself. Don't do this to me, niichan. Don't do this to me—"

Don't leave me alone. Not again. Not AGAIN—

"R-Rui…" Neechan said, she was stammering, looking at the ginger-haired fiend—or particularly—at his earrings, "that demon is—"

"Your sibling?"but Rui was occupied by something else entirely. His body was trembling, index finger pointed at the family—the one that she called real family, rejecting his own version of one—who was still fussing over each other; Tanjiro, whining and checking if his sister received any injuries from attacks he couldn't block. And Nezuko, berating him for doing this dangerous thing when he promised her he wouldn't recklessly jump in anymore, think about yourself a little more, please brother—an idea lit up in his head, he mused, "I see…"

"Rui. That demon…" Neechan was still trying to garner her little brother's attention, "that demon is the one our Lord wants. Don't—"

"Her brother became a demon and yet, they're together," it was futile, though. Rui was completely submerged in his own thought, "the brother protected the sister. He offered his body." a smile started blossoming on his young face. Shivers ran through his entire figure and he was giddy, "I want it, I want it…"

"These genuine bonds…I WANT IT!"

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Nezuko jolted in her place and instantly swiveled her head to the side. When she was too occupied with her own problem ("eat a little more. I don't care if our stock will deplete drastically after this. Just eat it! So your healing skill will close those wounds a lot faster. Just work with me, niichan. Please!"), something had happened. She heard the sounds of trees falling, bush rustled and bird scampering away in fright. When her burgundy orbs landed back to their battlefield, she saw the kid—Nezuko thought someone called the other without using a family title. Rui, right? Was it his name? It sounded like a boy name for her—was standing over Neechan. Who was now beheaded and without a head. The head itself was on the ground, whimpering and on a verge of crying. Wha-What happened? Nezuko was baffled. I didn't pay any attention because I was too busy scolding niichan for his latest stunt. Were they having another falling out?

Neechan slowly picked her falling head as she stood. With one last glance, she took off. Leaving them with a silence that was almost choking, "she's a failure just like Mother…" Rui turned around, staring at Kamado's siblings, Nezuko's grip on her broken Zanbato tightened, "girl. Let's have a talk."

"You see, I was moved by watching your 'bonds'. My body quivered and my heart jumped. I think there are definitely no words to describe what I'm feeling at that moment. But I have to kill you guys," he put his palm on his chest, head tilted. Giving off a vibe of an innocent child even though he's nothing but that, "I heard from my neechan. That that brother of yours is our Lord's target," Nezuko's breath hitched. Right, she almost forgot about that because of this clusterfuck of an event. It seems like Muzan already alerted every single demon out there. To search for a demon with ginger hair, wearing rectangle earrings with rising-sun symbols. To search and capture her beloved family and snatch him away from her no—, "And I'm sure you don't want that to happen, aren't you? It'll be sad either way. To be killed together by me. Or be separated from your family and then still be killed by me. There's only one way to avoid this."

"Give me your older brother. If you hand him over quietly, I'll spare your life. Maybe ask my lord not to maim him. Too much."

"…I don't understand what you're trying to say here"

"I'll make your older brother my own starting today." He continued, eyes still shining with innocence that made Nezuko's stomach flutter, "didn't you say 'both family and allies are tied by strong bonds. There's nothing shallow about it even if we're not connected by blood'? So, give him to me. I'll take care of him—"

"TO HECK WITH THAT!" she interrupted his sentences, grabbing onto her brother and held him tightly. The slayer snarled low, broken sword pointed to the foe, "I told you twice already. Bonds created by fear are not bonds you can call a family! Open your freaking eyes and face the world already! That misunderstanding of such basic knowledge is the sole reason why your family won't connect to you!"

"Do you even know…" her breath puffed, eyes almost bloodshot in her anger towards this ridiculous happening, "do you even know why I could easily kill your Mother? Not because she's weak. Not because she lost her puppets to use. No…"

"It's because she wanted to get away from you!" she spat, "because you're horrible and because this bond is nothing but a fake creation of a fake family!"

"You really talk too much. Do you think I'll be sad when I hear that? No. Mother has the weakest bond towards us from the very beginning. No wonder she decided to kick the bucket first," How could he—toward his own mother—(whereas Nezuko was still begging for the world to give her her mother back. To give her her happy life back. This is not fair, not fair, not fair—), "well, no matter. I'll kill you if you won't give me your brother peacefully like I suggest you do," his finger cradled the white locks that had been covering his left eye this whole time. And slowly yet surely swept it away, the demon hunter's breath caught in her throat—

Gazing straight at the number five carved onto his white pupil that swimming by the red sclera.

"You can't beat me—one of the Twelve Demon Moons—anyway"

The father has the role of a father. The Mother has the role of a mother. The parents protect their children. While the big brothers and sisters protect their younger siblings. No matter what it is.

They put their life on the line, no questions asked

Without her consent, Tanjiro, that was safely protected within her arms, suddenly sailed to the sky. The faint patch of black fog that was almost transparent was dancing around him, making a grotesque image of him being trapped like some kind of an animal in a cage without escape. Before the ginger-haired boy landed right into the kid's embrace, growling, and hissing, arms forcefully pulled back and held securely by the thread that sprouted from the end of Rui's right fingers.

"NIICHAN!"

"So, now that I've taken him, do you understand what your role is supposed to be in this scenario?" he asked a loaded question, the other palm that was not occupied in restraining Tanjiro were open for the world to see, strings ready to be launched, "go home. And leave us, siblings, alone."

"DON'T JOKE AROUND!" Nezuko dashed, clutching her other blade that was still intact with fervor. Raw emotion almost blinded her. Fueling her with intense rage, "HE'S MY SIBLING! I'm not going to let you have him and leave without a fight!"

"And after I said I'll spare your life if you don't oppose me too…" Rui sighed, lazily moved his fingers around to start his onslaught, didn't think the danger of this girl's presence is something to be noted. Nezuko swerved between the threads, trying to find a way in and snatch her older brother back yet to no avail. Rui may look bored with this fight, but it was clear he has the upper hand. The pink slayer crouched when the string crossed above her head, cutting some strands from her ponytail, "this is your last chance. Give up already and leave us now—ARGH!"

The youngest of the white-haired family let out a guttural sound, cutting off his threat into a howl of pain. Tanjiro, still with his hands tied behind his back, used his free foot to stomp onto Rui's own, crushing the bone in an instant. That one second of distraction was enough for the kid to loosen his grip on him, loosening the string as well, and he used that chance to break free. Tanjiro twisted his body and scratched at Rui's face. Creating four slashes on his milky complexion.

Nezuko did the follow-up attack, water already sprouting from the blue blade as she was already in the middle of a stance. However, she had to abandon it when Rui, only gritting his teeth from all the injuries he gained, let his thread soar through the air. It almost got her own neck if she didn't back-flip at the right time and the right angle, the water bursting into a spray of harmless liquid. When her burgundy eyes locked onto him once again, she realized her only family was not in his embrace anymore. Red liquid dripped from the sky and she shot her gaze upward.

"N-NIICHAN?"

Tanjiro was up there, hanging upside-down by the wire of the demon kid. It circled around his legs, waist, hands, and neck, so tight it actually dig into his skin and drawing out blood.

"Don't worry. He won't die from something like this. He's a demon," Rui said, scoffing at the terror painted onto Nezukos' face. The wounds he got from the ginger-haired beast were in the process of healing. Bone reformed itself, skin knitted back together. In a second, there were no blemishes on his flawless body anymore, "but I have to teach him a lesson here. I'll let him lose some blood for a while. Although, if things aren't going to play out so simply…" the ginger-haired boy screamed when the thread tightened, choking him even further, "I'll keep this up until sunrise. He'll 'warm' up a little. And he'll realize, as an older brother, he should not hurt his younger brother."

Stop speaking like he's already your niichan! He's mine! Was what went through her mind, but she held her complaints back this time. No, she should calm down. Even your breath. Take a deep whiff. Don't get too emotional because she's starting to go blind. Her sight was solely on this kid, not accounting for the environment around, in which Rui could easily launch a surprise attack on her person. Focus. Control yourself and give the most accurate final shot possible. Nezuko took one last glance at her brother, who was still trying to escape from the bindings no matter how constricting the said binding was, then back to the enemy. She should not be reckless, now that she knew she couldn't simply cut the strings like what she did to Mother's. There's only one sword left and if this one is broken too, she's sure her chance of winning this battle will be gone. His neck must be even harder than the string itself. If I cannot use a simple technique to cut that string then—

Nezuko twisted her body and knees tensed. Body half-crouched and the sword was raised skywards, placed at the side of her head, "full focus. Breath of Water, Tenth Style—" ripples of water started forming in the background. Slowly then drastically changing into the form of a humongous blue dragon. Her figure unfurled and she rushed.

If I cannot use a simple technique to cut that string, then I'll use this skill instead!

"THE DRAGON OF CHANGE!"

This is a continuous skill, Sakonji told her as he taught the move, a constant flux of rushing water. Rotated yourself around like a winding dragon; from the first strike to second. From the second strike to third. From the third strike to fourth. Through increasing the rotation, she swung the Zanbato down—

PTAS

—it'll create a strong slash, severing the wires in one strike.

Yes! I cut it, I cut it! Nezuko cheered internally. Now, if I can close the distance between myself and him, I can—

"Say," Rui started talking, eyelids dropped with pity as he crossed his arms in front of his chest. Red goop (no. It was blood) started covering the tip of his palms, creeping up till his wrists, "did you think that was as strong as my strings could get?"

It was silence at that second. And the next, multiple red cobwebs of deadly thread suddenly appeared in front of her. Raining onto her, drenching her with its disgusting blood color, blocking her with no way forward.

Blood Demon Technique. CRUEL STRING PRISON

NO! And I was so close too! Time itself came to a halt. Everything that she saw now was in slow motion. I can't cut these strings, I don't have enough rotation! Should I change it to the Second Style? But these strings have a completely different fog from the ones a while ago. It must be a lot stronger than before!

I can't lose. I can't lose to this! If I lose, I'll die! I'll die and I'll leave niichan alone! Tears started springing out of her eyes, her sight started to go hazy. I can't…I CAN'T—

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(What is this? scene after scene spun with a speed that made her head ache. Rolling downward and upward, like a yo-yo on a string. Is this…my life? A life that I have been going through so far?)

Nezuko saw Inosuke, laughing and guffawing, swords swinging in every direction possible cutting the fallen leaves in tandem.

Nezuko saw Zenitsu, sobbing and hiccupping, clutching onto the box Tanjiro was in and trying to calm himself down by hearing the soft sound of the demon's heart lullaby.

Nezuko saw Kiyoshi, Shoichi, and Teruko. Smiling and crying as they survived the ordeal and can still greet the next day with hope blossoming.

Nezuko saw Tamayo-san and Yushiro-san, scurrying around the wrecked house and saving any instruments that were still intact after the sudden battle.

Nezuko saw Sabito-kun and Makomo-chan conversing with each other. Chuckling and laughing as they oversee her training.

Nezuko saw Urokodaki, mask tilted upward a little bit. Unknowingly showing her his soft smile, caressing her hair as she started to doze off.

(Aah…I understand. She belatedly thought. Now I understand why people say they see their life flash before their eyes whenever they're on the verge of dying)

Nezuko saw Tanjiro. Ginger and a demon but still her precious brother otherwise.

(It's because they're trying to find a solution in their past life. Trying to survive one second longer in this cruel world without mercy)

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Where is it, then? Her Sight changed. It went from sharp to a bright clarity. Her eyes went to left and right, memorizing every single scene within seconds. Where is my chance of surviving this devastating attack? I need it. I need it because I don't want to die and leave my brother alone not again not again—

("Nezuko" her mother's voice resounded. One of the many memories she had stood out. And now, she was watching it like she was right there. Mother was just as beautiful as the ponytail girl recalled; with her black hair that was tied to the back, covered by a white cloth. Her tiny mouth quirked upwards, making her beauty mark under her lips follow along)

I…remembered this scene.

("Nezuko", Mother said. Soft and alluring, it always managed to send her to sleep, "Nezuko, would you like to join your father and brother?")

It was just a regular day, if her memory served. Maybe a bit colder than a usual winter because their father—sickly and frail, bones were figuratively forming the jutting chin. His red locks that were tied into a messy ponytail didn't help his image of being a healthy man. Nor did the burn mark on his forehead that, as each day passed by, went deeper and wider—was frequently coughing, she worried blood would start sprouting from his dry throat. Little Nezuko was seen helping their Mother with washing the clothes. Short hair flying in the breeze as she stared at the confusing scenery inside their house.

"Mama," Little Nezuko called, pulling on her sleeve to gain her attention, "what are Papa and Nii-nii doing?"

Mother turned, one of her hand was supporting Rokuta's bum so he didn't fall off from the baby carrier, "oh, they're Breathing"

"Brea…thing?" she tilted her head, watching Father and Tanjiro sitting in full-lotus form (or trying, in Tanjiro's case. His legs were shaking and it was clear he was having difficulty in maintaining the position) eyes closed and face relaxed (again, trying, in Tanjiro's case. His eyebrows were scrunched and he was sweating. The eyes beneath the eyelids were swerving around, an indication that he was fidgeting). The view looked serene, almost like she was gazing at a still statue in a temple of prayer, "but I'm breathing right now. And I don't have to do that weird sitting."

"Not that kind of breathing, my Nezuko," Mother giggled, patting her head fondly, "do you remember Father's Kagura Dance? Have you ever wondered how can he move that gracefully even though he looks so weak?" the oldest sister nodded, "Father was Breathing. By controlling his Breath, no matter how much he moved, he won't get tired. As long as he performs the correct way to breathe, he can dance forever. That's what your Father told me before."

"Hee…" Nezuko hummed, watching Tanjiro who take a peek when he couldn't handle the not-moving-an-inch-activity anymore. Father let out a warning cough, a silence order to her brother not to lose his concentration. How did he know that, when his eyes were still closed, little Nezuko didn't know. Maybe because of this…Breathing. Tanjiro immediately continues his 'training', "do you know how to Breath too, Mama?"

"I've been practicing one Breath. Your father said this one will strengthen and give power to yourself. So I can handle heavy workout around the house and…well. Rather than confusing yourself with this boring explanation, why not take a look at this," Mother bend over and clasped the basin, full of water and clothes that were still in the need of washing piled up to the brim. She took one deep breath and, when she forcefully exhale those air she inhaled, she stood up; the heavy basin was now within her grasp. Clutching it so tightly yet easily, even added with the burden of carrying Rokuta around. Like the thing itself was light; while two days ago, she needs the help of Tanjiro and Takeo in bringing a bucket of chopped wood into their house.

"Waoowww! Mama! You're so strong!" her burgundy eyes were sparkling in wonder, "teach me, Mama! Teach me! I want to be strong like you too!"

"Haha, alright. Why don't you repeat after me?

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"Control your breathing and take a deep breath," Mother instructed that day and older Nezuko followed, sword raised as her lungs expanded, "hold that for a few seconds. And after you finished preparing yourself—"

"Breath of Water, Tenth Style Modified—"

The coiling dragon behind her person stopped, rapidly ascending to the sky before it dived with a speed of sound. Making the air whistle and the wind disperse—

"Let that air out and explode it outward!"

"ROAR OF THE WAILING DRAGON!"*

SRAAASSSHHH

OMAKE chapter 41 & 42

Murata balked as the pretty, butterfly hunter saved him from the cocoon that was choke full of acidic water. The demon that trapped him—a girl with white hair that was tied into three, simple tails—laid there, not too far from the open field, skin turned purple and corpse slowly rotting. He may not have seen anything and was trying his best to hold his breath as he was submerged by the liquid that almost dissolved his entire body, but he listened. How this butterfly woman's sword—thin and pointy. The blade looked more like a big needle rather than a simple katana—has poison on its own; created from the wisteria flower demons hated, she explained. Lethal enough that it actually killed the fiend without a need to cut the neck like the usual method other slayers used to finish their mission.

(The pretty woman also happily talked about how she'll torture the demon in a pretense of getting along with each other—such as poking her eyes, cutting her stomach, dragging her intestines out, over and over. Until it finally amounted to how many innocent humans she devoured before the hunter forgives her—but Murata was trying to forget that conversation ever happened. Or he'll get very vivid nightmares for the next few days. So yeah. Not talking about that)

She must be a Pillar then. There's no way an ordinary hunter can do this. Only Pillar does. Murata let out a laugh. It sounded a bit manic in this lull of silence. We're saved. We're SAVED! Don't worry, Nezuko, Zenitsu, Inosuke. Wherever you are right now, this woman will definitely save you!

Now, Murata sneezed, his entire body trembled. He'll be a lot more grateful if she gave him something to cover his naked figure before she disappeared to save his companion minutes ago though.

(A/N): *This modified version she used almost acted like The Dragon of Change but different. Both of them are just as flexible. But in the case of The Dragon of Change, if you can't get enough spin, it's just as powerful as Water Wheel. To rectify that, Roar of the Wailing Dragon exists. Holding back her Breath means it's acting like a lid to contain the power of the dragon. When it's full and it's about to burst, release it and the power will be just as powerful as The Dragon of Change does. Roar of the Wailing Dragon is like a level 2 of the Dragon of Changes or something. The stronger and faster version of it, with less Mana Point to use, in the game term. As long as Nezuko twirl at least once.

Use this technique along with Short Rapid Breath, however, she can spam the skills like bullets. Of course, Short Rapid Breath is not good for a long, drawn-out battle. She will face a cooldown time and need to adjust her breath for a while, so it'll not hurt her lungs when she decides to change technique that requires her to take a deep, long breath. And of course, using one dragon is a lot more powerful than multiple dragons, because the longer she holds her Breath, the stronger it is when the dragon unleashes his roar. Quality over Quantity, you see. But for the sake of overwhelming your enemy, sometime Quantity is the best approach for that problem.

Unfortunately, no cool new technique for this Nezuko. Because she is a Water Breath User through and through, her water will not explode into a fire just like canon!Tanjiro did :'D

By the way, this technique can only be used when her sword is in normal form and not Naginata.