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 47, 48, 49 & 50
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And Tanjiro chucked a roll of bandage right at Sanemi's forehead.
"GAH?!"
The moment Spiky Hair went down, he turned. Pulled his mouthguard off and threw it at the Snake Man.
"What the—"
He didn't stop there. Tanjiro stepped out of the box and opened the latch of both of the compartments, letting the snacks and water bottles made of bamboo tumble out. He proceeded to throw every single item in the Snake Man's direction, with speed so fast that everything turned into a blur.
(White girl monotony recited the ensuing 'battle' to their leader, who couldn't help but chuckle, "it was an intense fight, Oyakata-sama.")
"Oi, you—" an anpan flew, he ducked, "—will you stop this—" two dorayakis zoomed, he dodged, "—foolish attack—" rice ball and dango flew, he evaded, "—and this foolish struggle—" dango and dorayaki appeared, he leaned back, "—you stupid demon!" water bottles sailed, he caught them both with his hands, "HAH! You can't hurt me with those pathetic assault anywa—ARGH!"
He forgot that he was in the middle of restraining Nezuko.
And now, the said girl had moved away, approaching Tanjiro who was ready to throw the box itself as his last attempt in freeing his family.
Kanroji snorted. Uzui guffawed. Kocho turned her head to the side to hide her laugh away.
"Niichan!" she called. Tanjiro—who had a comically angry expression. Eyes popped, fangs bared. Smoke coming out of his mouth and ears—jolted. He hastily put the wooden box back down and immediately went to her side.
(His eyes were not molten yellow anymore, which is good. Rather than temptation, Brother was giving in to his anger towards those hissy hunters who abused his little sister)
Yet he flinched when he almost reached the balcony. The sunlight shone that part of the mansion, accidentally burning the tips of his fingers away. He was torn between continuing his dash or hiding under the shade. Another burn on his skin when he took one step forward, he finally relented. The ginger fiend sat on the tatami with legs crossed, pointed at the wounds on her body and the rope that still tied her hands, then patted the empty space in front of him. A silent order for her to get over here so I can treat your injuries, hurry up! Now, it was Nezuko's turn to hesitate.
She was in a presence of Pillars, the upper echelon of the Demon Hunter Association. People who could kill her in a jiffy if she said something wrong. And let's not talk about Oyakata-sama, who was the leader of them all. If she shows disobedience more than this, he could boot her out of the organization itself. That was nothing to be concern of though, as she said she doesn't really care as long as her brother is safe. But that was if she's lucky enough. Worst case scenario, he decided to put her face up as a wanted (wo)man and order any hunters available to hunt them down. She was sure Oyakata-sama was not that kind of person. Nevertheless, her negative thoughts won't shut up and kept spiraling down and down and—
"You can come in, Nezuko-san," she jerked when the soft voice of their leader echoed, waking her up from her reverie. Oyakata-sama gave her his charming smile as he gestured to the impatient demon, "let your brother check on you. Family should not let the other worry unnecessarily, hm?"
Nezuko blushed at his kindness (his ivory fog is really soothing. So soft, it felt like she was wrapped inside a cotton cloud) she excused herself before approaching the anxious beast in tandem. The moment she arrived, Tanjiro sharpened his claws—the hunters around tensed at that, thinking that he decided to pounce the human anyway. Although it was a false alarm when he asked her sister to turn around—and hacked the rope away, making it crumble under the vicious strike. He rummaged through the box, frowned, then seemed to remember something as he lightly smacked his palm. Tanjiro stood and strode toward Sanemi, who was wary once more when he presumed the boy was going to attack him for real this time, finger already cradling the handle of the sword. But no. Tanjiro was just trying to pick the fallen bandages from the ground; the same bandages he used as an impromptu weapon a moment ago. The ginger beast stopped when he saw Spiky Hair's glare, stuck out his tongue and went back to the gaping sister, huffing haughtily.
Sanemi's veins figuratively snapped.
Giyuu coughed. Loudly.
"Even though Sanemi thrust his bleeding arm in front of him, he held himself back. Or rather, he didn't even glance at it and just went for his sister," Oyakata-sama said, smiling as he watched the ginger boy whine vehemently whenever he found other wounds that hid it existences from his sight, bandaging them with fervor and ignoring Nezuko's own fuss; his injuries may have closed, but the blood decorating his white yukata and the checkered haori still worried her otherwise, "and that's proof that Tanjiro will not attack humans right there."
Murmur started surrounding the entire environment.
Tanjiro grunted with satisfaction as the treatment is finally done. Nezuko was almost entirely covered in bandages, even her face did not escape from the overprotective brother, rounding up her forehead and lower jaw. A growl could suddenly be heard and the Kamados stared at the source of the voice, Tanjiro's stomach. He sheepishly laughed, pulled out one of the snacks from inside the box—some that were fortunately saved from his blind attack—then proceeded to eat the rice cracker in one, big bite.
"And that's also the proof that a demon who eats human food exists."
The murmurs stopped and were changed into something akin to shock. The ginger demon hummed in contentment.
"Nezuko. Despite this, there will still probably be other people who won't willingly agree about Tanjiro," Oyakata-sama said, in which Nezuko immediately bowed low. Her brother just kept on munching and started tightening her hair into the usual ponytail, complete with the usual braids along the way, while their leader continued, "you have just proved that, from this point on, you and Tanjiro can be useful enough to fight with the demon hunters. Defeat the Twelve Demon Moons. If you do that—"
"—then everyone will acknowledge you and the gravity of your words will change."
Head of the Demon Hunters, Ubuyashiki Kagaya. The tone of his voice and the rhythm of his actions ease the emotions of his partner into speaking. Using modern words, one would call it Pink Noise. He has a charismatic personality and the power to move the masses. There are many situations when he brandishes his power.
"You're lucky to meet someone as wonderful as Ubuyashiki-sama," the Kakushi explained as he—judging from the deep voice and his broad back. She couldn't really identify them with how they covered themselves from head to toe—carefully piggy-backed Nezuko to the Butterfly Estate. The other one, the woman, was back-packing Tanjiro, hefting the box into a proper clasp because the demon inside kept moving around. Maybe restless because his sister was out of his sight once more. Or perhaps he was too busy consuming the food—that Giyuu, Kocho, and Golden Man helpfully gathered. Only the salvageable stuff, as some were covered with dirt already—to regain his lost energy, "and even luckier that Shinezugawa-sama or Iguro-sama doesn't decapitate you for the insolence alone. The Pillars are really scary, you know. I thought I was gonna wet myself when your brother attacked them out of nowhere."
"It's not out of nowhere. Niichan was mad because they kept bullying me," Nezuko harrumphed, "Good riddance, anyway. Especially that Sanemi person."
"Oi! Don't talk about them that way!" They spoke at once, sweating. The one who carried Tanjiro then frantically spoke, "they might hear you! You don't know where they will be hiding! For all I know, the meeting is already over and he is here to spy on us!"
"Bring it on! Pillars or not, I don't like how he treated niichan like garbage!"
"You're going to be the death of us! Please, at least don't speak like that when we're around! We still value our lives, okay?"
While the Kakushi was busy praying for their lives and hoping that God will not be cruel enough to pair them with Nezuko once more, the pink hunter herself was busy with her own thoughts. After informing the leader and the Pillars about the description of Muzan's wife and child so they could start gathering info, Oyakata-sama ordered these black clothing people to whisk them away, as the real Pillars meeting will start soon. Kocho offered to take care of the sibling in her place just because. Before they could get away from the main mansion, however, Kagaya whispered to her.
"Give my regards to Tamayo-san."
He knew. He knew about the doctor's existence; a demon who doesn't eat human beings either and was on the opposite of Muzan's side, ready to vanquish him with her own power if she could. But how? Yushiro said that they covered their tracks very carefully—the incident of her pursuer's invasion was his only failing. Because too many people mean too many tracks left behind—and whenever the Demon Slayers were around to search for any lingering demons, they immediately vacated the premise. Kagaya knew yet he didn't hunt them? Was that the reason why he easily accepted Tanjiro in their midst? Because he already knew demons that don't consume humans exist? She didn't understand. Their leader was just too mysterious, that it will unnerve anyone who doesn't know him well.
(But his Ivory color was bright. So bright and so, so nice)
(She hoped her Sight doesn't lie to her like usual. Because she doesn't want a person with such a bright color to be nothing but a liar. Or worse, a manipulator)*
"That's the gist of the whole Pillars of this Demon Hunter Association," the one who carried her spoke. When there's no response, he jolted his hold to garner her attention, "Hey, do you hear me?"
"Hm? Yeah, sure. The Poison Lady is Kocho Shinobu. Tomioka-san, I already knew about him. The Golden Man is Rengoku Kyojuro. The Turban Man is Uzui Tengen. The Breasts Lady is Kanroji Mitsuri. The Monk is Himejima Gyomei. The Uncaring Boy is Tokito Muichiro. The Spiky Hair jerk is Shinazugawa Sanemi. And The Snake Man is Iguro Obanai," Nezuko recounted, ticking her fingers to count the masses. Not noticing the horror that started settling in on the complexion of the Kakushis, "did I miss one?"
"IS THAT WHAT YOU CALLED THEM IN YOUR HEAD THIS WHOLE TIME? OH MY GOD, PLEASE, PLEAASSSEEE! DON'T LET US BE YOUR GUARDIANS ANYMORE!"
When they arrived at the Butterfly Estate, there was no one around to greet them. Feeling as if they just barged into the house without permission, the Kakushis decided to circle around the mansion, searching for the occupant. In the backyard with koi ponds and bonsai trees, they encountered a young Demon hunter. A girl in a side-ponytail with a pink butterfly as her hair-tie. There's also her grey fog, a fog that was too bland for her taste, Nezuko recoiled. She recognized this color, recognized this feeling at seeing something so…unsure. It was a fog that belonged to the pretty girl from the Final Selection exam, the only other girl who passed the dangerous test without a scratch.
Tsuyuri Kanao, the successor of this estate, explained the Kakushis. She was silent yet so beautiful, especially with how the colorful butterfly flocked around her like a flower.
There was an awkward moment when the Kakushi asked for permission to come inside the estate but Kanao didn't say anything; be it denial or agreement, she just kept smiling that soft smile that reminded her so much of Shinobu. Although it ended just as quickly as it happened when another girl—this time having short, twin-tails as her hairstyle. Same hair ornament as well. Maybe it was right for the Poison Lady to call this the Butterfly Estate—shouted accusations at them, thinking that they were trespassers. One look at the exhausted Nezuko, however, she understands the situation instantly and ordered them to come inside, I have to fix that bandage. It was so sloppy.
The box rattled in protest at that.
Kanzaki Aoi, was her name, brought them to the medical wing. The room was littered with clean beds and medium windows for the sun to light up the room (ah, niichan can't come out in this room then. He has to go to the hallway or another room for that). There's another girl there. A kid that was the same age as Hanako, with shoulder-length hair and butterfly hairpins at each side. Except rather than her, Nezuko's sight immediately rested on the screaming patient the girl tended instead. That yellow-hair boy who was crying and sobbing. A very familiar boy that Nezuko almost jumped from Kakushi's hold to see.
"Zenitsu!" she called, tapping Kakushi's shoulders frantically. A way of her in telling him to hurry up, bring me to him! She craned her neck, trying to see her friend—who get hollered for being a noisy patient for the past hours by the TwinTail girl—better, Nezuko's breath hitched, "Zenitsu, are you okay? What's wrong with your hands? And legs? What happened to them? Why did that happen in the first place? Don't tell me Murata-senpai get the same disease too? I thought I told you to take care of yourself?! Don't worry me like this, Zenitsu—"
"N-Nezuko-chan! Hold up! If you're panicking like that, I don't have the time to panic myself!" Zenitsu flailed his tiny arms, hidden by the long, baggy sleeves and her stomach twisted even more. He started speaking to appease the ponytail girl, "I got stabbed by this stinky spider and—"
"Was it Father?"
"Father?"
"The one with a human body but a spider head."
"No, not him. He had a spider body but a human head," another one then? They had Mother and Sister. So maybe it was the Brother? "forget about that. So when he stabbed me, he gave me his poison. And this poison acted by turning me into a spider just like him! And he wanted to use me as his slave too, disgusting! I was saved before I could fully turn into one, but this girl had been nagging me, ordering me to drink this bitter medicine for three months! Three. Whole. Months, Nezuko-chan! This is so—EEP!"
Aoi glared at him, so heatedly, Nezuko swore she could burn Zenitsu alive.
"And Murata-senpai? What about him? Is he okay?"
"Murata who?"
"What do you mean Murata who? I mean Murata-sen…ah, right," Nezuko realized after a minute of blind panic, "you fell asleep before he could introduce himself ("I fell asleep? What?") Murata is that senpai who managed to stay alive. The one we met after we went into the forest."
"Oh, him? He's okay. Nothing major," Zenitsu immediately sulked, he folded those tiny hands in front of his chest, "actually, why the heck was he not there to help me fight the Stinky Spider? I heard from Inosuke that you helped him in pinpointing the spider's manipulator, so okay. I can accept that. But Murata? Inosuke said he was with me but where was he? Stupid senpai! Leaving your kouhai alone—"
"Right! Inosuke!" the pink hunter swiveled her heads, "is he okay? Where is—" then she landed her gaze on the bed across the sunny boy's. Right at the Pig Mask who was lying still, "there he is!" Nezuko frantically slapped Kakushi's shoulders again, a lot faster than before too. He grumbled at her treatment towards him yet obeyed anyway. She scrambled down this time, throwing half of her body to his blanket and grasped his callous hand, "Inosuke! I'm so glad you're okay! I'm sorry! I'm sorry I didn't go to help you, I—"
"It's okay. I'm fine," Inosuke quietly answered, "don't worry about me."
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Wha-What's with that voice?
"Seems like his throat got crushed," Zenitsu belatedly explained, Nezuko gaped, "I dunno the details but I heard his neck get really smushed. In the end, he let out a really loud scream and that clinched it. So now his throat is messed up bad."
"WHY?! His throat was crushed already! Is he trying to kill himself?"
"Don't blame me, Nezuko-chan! Blame the stupid Pig!"
"I'm sorry, I'm stupid. I'm sorry I'm actually alive."
"DON'T SAY SOMETHING LIKE THAT! YOU'RE GOING TO JINX YOURSELF!"
"EVERYONE BE QUIET!"
After getting scolded by Aoi for causing a ruckus in a place where injured people supposed to relax, they finally rest. A doctor arrived—the same one the Grandma from Wisteria Mansion called before, what? Was he a Demon Hunter Association private doctor or something?—and checked every single one of them, even Tanjiro, before reporting the result to the caretaker of the Butterfly Estate. Conclusion of the examination was this:
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-Nezuko: wounds on her face, arms, and legs, as well as countless abrasions. Her whole body is in pain, along with torn muscles and a blow on her lower face that almost dislocated her jaw completely. Wrap ice to it to take care of the swelling that will definitely appear some times after the treatment.
-Zenitsu: his right arm and legs have shrunk and gone numb due to being bitten by spiders. His left arm is spasming. Not a very good condition to hold a sword at all. Keep giving him the medicine to wash the poison out of his bloodstream.
-Inosuke: his larynx and vocal cords are internally bruised from pressure. Because the demon was choking him that he almost died of asphyxiation, he will have episodes of fazing in and out of consciousness. Have to be watched constantly as he's going to faint at uneven times and random places.
-Tanjiro: he's very hungry.
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That report locked their fate down. Now they have to be bedridden for a couple of weeks.
It was somewhat a comfortable rest. Somewhat, being she was completely in pain that she curled up on her bed like a ball for almost every day. Tanjiro permanently stayed in the kitchen to get fed. Zenitsu was being a bother by screaming his lungs out and whining about the bitter medicine, she usually shut him up by throwing a pillow at his face. Inosuke was depressed beyond hell, they had to encourage him every morning because his dark mood was dampening them as well. Then Murata came to visit one day.
He recounted his experience with the Pillars; or grumbled, if she had to be specific. He said they wanted to hear the survivor says about what transpired in Natagumo Mountain. Murata told them about Zenitsu's sleeping skills ("Seriously, what sleeping? I don't remember anything at all!") and in that state, he was trying to chase after Nezuko and Inosuke when the Puppets finally stopped moving ("Why wouldn't you stop me? Or go after me?! At least there's a chance I'm not going to get poisoned by that Stinky Spider!", "I was trying, okay? But I had to hide my teammates' body so demons won't find them. That already wasted enough time. And then another demon trapped me in her cocoon and I can't move at all after that!", "Why, senpai? You said you're intact, no injuries at all because Kocho-san helped you.", "…no clothes…", "Huh?", "N-Nothing, Nezuko! Just forget about it!"). Then there were guys present who wouldn't obey orders when they went to the mountain, they alluded Murata as someone who was 'farmed', whatever that means. In the end, the conclusion was, the Pillars complained about the quality of the soldier taking an extreme nosedive these days. They promised to increase the training regime that will literally send the weak people flying.
That day came a lot faster than Nezuko thought.
Shinobu called them 'Functional Recovery Training'. The three, young girls—the ones who took care of Zenitsu called Terauchi Kiyo. Another with low, dual pigtails called Nakahara Sumi. And the one with low, dual braided hairs called Takada Naho. All of them wore butterfly ornament to tighten up their locks—tasked to massage their bodies that were stiff from lying in bed for so long. After that, Kanao will be ready for a reflex training, by competing in snatching the medicinal broth in a teacup and pouring it onto your opponent. There are several cups prepared on a low table. If the opponent restrains their glass before they managed to raise it, then they may not move that cup and have to go for another one. The final training was a whole-body training. Or putting it frankly, tag. Kanao and Aoi will be their opponent for this and they have to catch them within a time limit.
Okay, Nezuko could see that. It was right for Shinobu to call it exactly that, as they did the same thing when they were being taken care of in that Wisteria Mansion. Don't want their skills to get rusty because of their prolonged rest.
However, their training that day was not as intense as this one.
She managed to win in teacup and tag competition against Aoi. Nezuko trained with Makomo after all. And, not underestimating Aoi or something, but Makomo was way faster.
Then Kanao takes the cake.
If there's a word beyond faster, then Nezuko will use that word instead. Because Kanao is fast. Her form was literally a blur. Even with her sharp Sight, Nezuko could not pinpoint her form at all. Her muted color doesn't help in any case. Instead, it only made it worse because it hid her presence even more. Like the haze of a dawning day.
And the teacup challenge was devastating. The medicine was stinky. It's bad, enough said.
Also. The message was torture. That too.
It's no wonder Nezuko and Inosuke looked like skeletons whenever they came back from the training. Especially the Pig Mask. Because, not only did he lose against the occupant of the Butterfly Estate, he also loses to Nezuko in a term of progression. She pitied Zenitsu, who will start this hellish workout from tomorrow onward.
"YOU'RE BEING FELT UP BY WOMEN! THEY'RE GROPING YOUR BODY! YOU PUT OUT YOUR HAND WHEN YOU'RE PLAYING AROUND WITH TEACUPS! AND THEY'RE TOUCHING YOU WHEN YOU PLAY TAG! THERE ARE TWO BOOBS, TWO BUTTOCKS, AND TWO THIGHS WITH EACH WOMAN! THEY SMELL GOOD IF THEY EVER PASS BY SO I LOOK FORWARD TO EVEN LAY MY EYES ON THEM! HELL YEAH, IT'S BLISS!"
Nezuko took that pity back.
"Remind me to punch him in the face, Nezuko."
"Please wait in line, Aoi. Because I'm going first."
It was wrong to train with those wicked intentions, she promised to drill this into their heads after today. But well, even though she hated it, the results were definitely showing. They managed to get as far as Nezuko was, beating Aoi in the teacup and tag challenge; Zenitsu was black and blue by the end of it though, served him right. However, just like Nezuko, they couldn't beat Kanao either. Inosuke wasn't used to losing so he sulked and got angry all the time. Zenitsu figuratively changed his name to 'Monitsu' and quickly acted as if he gave up. It continued for five days.
Until one day they stopped coming to the training hall for good.
"I should just sic niichan to them both!" Nezuko hissed, pulling her hair out in frustration, "he'll smack some sense into them! Actually, scratch that! I'm doing it now!"
"Ma, forget about them, Nezuko-san," Aoi patted her shoulders, trying to calm her down, "it's not like anyone here misses Zenitsu in the first place," that's true, "if you feel like this is too hard for you, then you don't have to come too."
"No! I'll keep training!" she answered. Determination lit behind those fiery burgundy orbs, "I'm going to beat Tsuyuri-san" and show her that my Sight is just as sharp as her!
Because it was clear. That her gaze may be blank for the most part yet something was clearly different. Something that was familiar. Something that she always sees every time she gazed at the nearest mirror. Something sharp. She didn't know if Kanao could see the colors of the world just like her or not. One thing for sure. If she used her version of Sight as a weapon in winning the teacup and tag challenges, then Nezuko should be able to use her own to do the same.
Easier said than done.
Why can't I win? Is there something she has that I don't? Nezuko thought, dripping wet from another failed attempt. It was ten days after her declaration of winning already. And this was a very reminiscent of her training in splitting the boulder, so frustrating and nerve inducing. First off, our reaction speeds are completely different. I'd probably lose even if I was in perfect condition. Then there's her fog. Now, having this intense training for their recovery, her Sight has been getting stronger again. Tsuyuri-san' main fog was grey, sure. But I saw a tiny bit of pink fog of Kocho-san's. Adopted or not, has she taught her something that Urokodaki-san hadn't taught me in those hellish years?
"N-Nezuko-san."
"Huh?" a voice startled her away from her musing, she turned around. It was Kiyo, Sumi, Naho, staring at her with concern on their faces. They looked hesitant at first but plowed in and thrust a white towel towards her face, the older girl immediately understood their intention, "did you bring this for me? Thank you. You are so nice."
They beamed.
"Umm…Nezuko-san," Kiyo started the conversation, Nezuko hummed in acknowledgment as she dried her hair, "can you do the Full Focus Breath all day and all night?"
Silence.
"…you can actually do that?"
So…that was the difference between her and Kanao. And the Pillars too.
Doing them continuously without rest was too much for her already—just look at her fight with Yahaba—but Kanao did this every day? Not just every day. Every morning, every afternoon, and every night? Then, using this skill, she blows her Breath into a freaking hard gourd and breaks them from the inside? The gourd that was as tall as her waist? That was as big as Tanjiro's box?
These people are monsters!
"You're trying hard there. Even though your two friends went off somewhere else."
It was night and Nezuko was on the top of the roof, doing a meditation to raise her concentration levels. Another fifteen days had gone by and most of her stamina had come back. She can run more than before. Even if she overused her lungs from the fast movement of dashing around in the afternoon, her lungs had definitely gotten stronger. So, more energy for her to use in moving with minimal rest.
(Nezuko also wanted to get away from Yushiro's Calico cat's judging eyes. Sorry, okay. She was too busy trying to save their lives, this main quest of hers totally slipped her mind. Please, stop looking at me like I'm trash, I beg of you!)
At the moment of this reprieve was the time where Shinobu decided to visit. Her smile was just as soft as Nezuko remembered and she could understand why Zenitsu said she was pretty. Because she really is, with her droopy eyes and pointed nose yet small lips. Shinobu sat at the left side of her while the second Kamado flustered, "yes. I'm trying to do it myself before I teach the others how to win. Sometimes, spite can be a powerful weapon. If they saw me, a girl, can win against this challenge, I'm sure they'll get motivated."
Shinobu chuckled, "you're a sly one, Kamado-san."
"I have to! They'll know that giving up is something we cannot do. Being a Demon Hunter is hard. We should not let ourselves stagnant just because of one obstacle. I don't understand why Inosuke decided to throw in the towel when he's the one who told me exactly that…" she grumbled, the last part was mostly to herself, "Ah. And please, called me Nezuko, Kocho-san. Kamado-san is my late father."
"Then call me Shinobu," the Pillar reiterated, "you're my guest, so we should drop the pleasantries"
"Yes!" Nezuko grinned. Before she dropped her fetal position and wrung her fingers, suddenly anxious. This has been on her mind since the very first day they were here and she wanted to know the answer. Even if she was a bit scared with Shinobu's reaction towards this question, "Uum…about that. Is there any reason why you brought us to your place? I-It's not like I'm not grateful for the treatment but…I'm just curious. Because…"
"Because your fog told me you're always agitated"
Shinobu was silent after that particular sentence. Her orbs were gazing at her own with such intensity, Nezuko almost wanted to take that word back. Her senior slowly said, "Tomioka-san told me about your skill. Is that it?" the junior hesitantly nodded. The Poison User wryly smiled, "so I can't even lie to you, right? That is such a useful skill."
"I…might usually be angry," Shinobu started, "from the moment my beloved big Sister got slaughtered by demons. And every time I saw the tears of the people whose loved ones were taken away by them, their shrieks of despair, their tears of sorrow, the anger inside of me continued to grow and get larger. I have a repulsive feeling that I can't do anything about in the deepest part of my body. And I'm sure the other Pillars are similar. Even Tomioka-san or Urokodaki-san who whole-heartedly supported you."
Nezuko agreed with that notion.
"I brought you here because you reminded me of my sister," the pretty lady continued. This time, was a lot quieter. Melancholy and sadness wafted from her pretty, pink color, "she was a kind person, just like you. She sympathized with demons. And she felt sorry for them. She had a wish for humans and demons to coexist together. Living together and understands each other. But me? I could never think about something like that. Pitying those who had killed countless people, sometimes for their own amusement? That's just crazy talk. Demons tell nothing but lies to protect themselves. They have no sensibilities. And their instinct is to kill people," she chewed her bottom lip, "but my sister was quite adamant about it. Even on the verge of her own death. And sometimes. Sometimes—"
"I hate myself for burdening my shoulders with a dream she was long to see"
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"I…" Nezuko gulped, "I…understand. Because I…hate demons too."
"Really, Nezuko-chan?" Shinobu was shocked, "but I thought you believe in second chances."
"Well, maybe hate was too strong of a word. I think...upset is more like it." She reiterated, "or to be exact, I am disappointed with those who succumb to their own greed."
"Humans are just like that. Some are good and some are bad. Some even tethering between, in the grey area. I believe that, if bad people are turned into demons, they'll become even worse. And good people stay the way they are. But Muzan…" they both tensed hearing that accursed name, "but Muzan knew that. That's why he approached those good people when they were in their worst possible condition. When they thought their life was nothing, that everything they did was useless, and anger completely took over their being. Hated the world for the unfairness of all. He then appeared. Showing them the 'way out', erasing their precious memories for a good measure. Because, Shinobu-san, even nice people have their breaking point."
"I've met some. The Green Demon in the Final Selection was just a lonely kid. Kyogai, the Drum Demon wanted someone to appreciate the hard work he put in his novel. And the recent one, Rui. He just wanted a family"
"Of course, we won't know if the demon we face will be those good humans. I mean…I hate Rui for almost capturing niichan and wanted to make him his own brother. Kyogai, for eating humans just because of his ego. And the Green Demon for killing my…my mentors," Shinobu patted her shoulder when Nezuko accidentally let out a choked sob, "sorry. But the point is—"
"The point is, we should broaden our view and look for the underneath," her senior ended the unfinished declaration, she tilted her head, "right?"
Kamado's oldest sister nodded.
"You sure have a beautiful soul," Shinobu giggled for a bit. Before she mellowed once more, "I'll try to be a little more open-minded with the others, now that I know a demon such as your brother exists. But…there's just this one demon. One, that I could not forgive."
Nezuko immediately understood, "don't worry. I'll never forgive Muzan for killing my family and turning niichan into a demon either. So, I'm not condemning you for hating the one who killed your sister."
"Thank you," Shinobu stood up, gaze away from the younger girl as she mumbled, "If only I met you sooner. Maybe I'd understand my sister a lot better"
Then she was gone. Leaving Nezuko alone in this chilly night with beautiful stars. Along with her pink fog that, for a split second, became steady. She got a feeling she was watching a forever-flying bird finally find a branch and take a well-deserved rest. It's…reassuring to watch. The Poison Lady clearly needed that. And if it means sharing the dream together, she doesn't mind. It doesn't burden Nezuko like how Shinobu's sister's dream burdened herself.
Because turning those demons back into humans is one way to achieve that ridiculous wish. Living a life of a fleeting human being, where you can appreciate the beauty of the world even more with how short your lifespan was.
Tamayo and Nezuko promised to create that way and make the implausible possible.
From tomorrow onward, she asked the three kids to beat her with futon beaters whenever she stopped doing the Full Focus Breath while she was sleeping. As she didn't want them to lose their own sleep just for the sake of her training, she started sleeping in the morning till afternoon and mediated at night till morning, Nezuko literally become an owl that week. But it was totally worth it. After one hiccup at her training—Tanjiro, who was finally discharged from his version of the treatment, decided to visit his sister to share the snacks the chef made for him. Then he saw how Kiyo, Sumi, and Naho beat the crap out of her, in which he immediately panicked. Thinking that this place is not safe after all, even if the cook was very gracious in filling up his tummy. She frantically explained the situation when it looked like Tanjiro was ready to bolt them out of there, sun be damn—another ten days had passed and she felt like she is ready. With the tree kids cheering her up from outside the lawn and Tanjiro from inside the house, Nezuko blew hard into the big gourd and—
BOUUMM
—destroying it within a second, shattering the thing into small pieces.
Everyone cheered, Nezuko was crying in relief.
Tag training showed improvisations as well. When at first Kanao's form was a literal blur, now she could see her as clear as day. Her all-over-the-place fog was still a bit of a bother, but now she knew where to look. There'll be one spot where the fog condensed and gathered. The place where Kanao's body was located; the color was originated from their own being after all. The closer you are to the source, the brighter the color was for her Sight to identify. Nezuko had to concentrate real hard to do her Full Focus Breath for a whole day. But the longer she was able to do that, the more her base stamina increased.
Aah…I want to wield my blades now. Nezuko reached her arm forward, gritting her teeth in resolution. I want to wield those swords with these hands of mine.
She grasped Kanao's wrist and the training was completed.
The Reflex challenge was also another success. They were on the same wavelength, reaching and stopping the cups with lightning speed, it was an intense match. The trio kept hollering encouragement, Tanjiro held his breath, Nezuko managed to pull one of it from the table and—
She actually pulled the cup too hard, the liquid inside flew upward.
A beat of awkward silence. Then the Medicinal Broth drenched the both of them. Brother snorted.
"…is that a win?" Kiyo asked.
"I mean…Nezuko-san was the one who 'poured' the medicine," Naho shrugged, "so…I think so?"
"…."
"YEAAAA! NEZUKO-SAN! YOU WIN!"
"YEEES! I FINALLY DID IT!"
"WE'RE GOING TO CELEBRATE BY EATING A LOT OF CAKE!"
"HN HN!"
Zenitsu and Inosuke watched with hopeless sorrow from the entrance of the dojo. Cursing the fact that damn. We're losers.
OMAKE chapter 51-52
Muzan—in his female form. Black hair tied in a low, big bun and wearing an extravagant kimono. Her lips were painted with red lipstick that resembled the color of blood—scowled. These bunch of Lower Moon were useless. No wonder, as they only have their number in one of their eyes. An exact opposite of the Upper Moon, where they have it carved at both of their orbs. Kyogai, she didn't really care. But Rui? His death was a nail to the coffin and she thought, screw this. If they wanted to die so badly, Muzan will gladly grant that wish. So here she was. Ordering one of her demon—a woman with an ability to warped the rooms as she wished. Just by one pluck of her Biwa's string—to bring those useless subordinates in one place, where she could banish them all.
Listening on their thoughts, of how pathetic they were—one of them was scared of the Demon Hunter more than her, the audacity. And then another even dare questioned her method—she was definitely right in making this choice.
However, Muzan smirked beautifully as she gave the Lower Moon One her abundance of blood. This boy is the only one who's suitable enough to receive her blessing. This boy who, in the face of his own demise, still worshiped her. He even said he was blessed to be ended by her, leaving him to be the last one to die after watching the suffering of the other, listening on the melodic screams of the other. Truly, a demon through and through. If he managed to endure the quantity of her blood, he'll obtain even more strength. He'll become one of her puppets she could control, something useful to be kept.
"Now, kill the demon hunter pillars and a hunter in a pink haori," she chuckled as the Lower Moon One wriggled pitifully on the tatami floors, "and bring the demon with Hanafuda earrings to me. The one who managed to undo my curse and hid his location from my sense. Just like that traitor, Tamayo. If you do—"
"—I may share even more blood with you~"
.
.
.
BONUS SCENE
Muichiro hummed, tapped the quill on his chin, gave the last scratch to the parchment he put on the balcony then pulled it upward. Showing them a sketch of a beautiful woman in a bowl hat and a small girl with braided pigtails, "Is this it?"
"Yes! That's them!" Nezuko nodded, "Muzan's wife and daughter!"
"Wow, Tokito. I didn't know you can draw so well!" Kyojuro praised.
"I didn't know either." Muichiro blandly said, "do you think I have any other hidden abilities?"
"Don't ask us." Obanai sighed.
"Ceh! It's only their fucking faces. You know people could easily change that shit with a fucking makeup!" Sanemi huffed, "stupid girl. You should've at least get their fucking names!"
Nezuko gasped. Horror was written in her gaping face. She closed Tanjiro's ears with her palms and scuttled away from the brash hunter. Brother himself was still busy munching on the snack, "language! You're in the presence of a toddler!"
"What toddler? Your brother is a fucking teenager."
"He's a toddler because he imitates anything he sees and hears!" Nezuko pouted, deepening her holds on the eldest Kamado's ear a lot more, "there's a chance niichan will get his conversation skills back, Sanemi ("Don't use my given name! And where's the fucking honorific?") He already talked to me twice! I'm not going to let that foul language be the first word he knows! At least censor them! Because I did!"
"Kamado-san is right, Shinezugawa," Shinobu agreed, "I don't want you to accidentally contaminate my kids with that mouth of yours as well. Refrain from doing so."
"Yeah!" Tengen chimed in, "It's not flamboyant!"
"Pray to the Lord for all of your sin," Gyomei added.
"What the fu—"
"Sanemi," Kagaya softly spoke, the Wind Pillar tensed, "Please censor your swears in the near future. My kids are also present here."
"O-Oyakata-sama—" Sanemi stuttered, his face was pinched and he looked like he wanted to say something. Before he gave up and bowed, his spiky hair dropped in defeat, "as your command, Oyakata-sama…"
Here's the link for the perfect Meme of the Bonus Scene (lol) : https(:)/novirp13. tumblr post /188005141604 /sanemi -is -a -bad -bad -influence -heres -another
(A/N): *I hope that this is just my paranoid brain talking and nothing else. I'm pretty spot on in guessing plot twist (or just hella lucky and spoiled myself from the surprise element, dangit) but I really, REALLY hope that Oyakata-sama is a genuinely good guy TwT
Small detail: after Zenitsu and Inosuke knew about Tanjiro's existence, Nezuko asked them not to swear in front of her brother anymore. So they started censoring their swears too. Although Inosuke frequently forget about it
Another small detail: Sanemi's blood doesn't attract Tanjiro because he retained his human side a lot more than the demon side. He has his priority under control. Mainly, keeping his sister safe. If he has to starve for that, then so be it (besides, I wrote this when the nature of Sanemi's blood was still unknown. And I'm too lazy to rewrite it. So here's my excuse lol)
How Nezuko called other people:
### She'll use their family name and added 'san' if she respects and in a polite term with them. Usually, to someone much older than her, be it to strangers or someone she knew (such as Urokodaki-san and Tomioka-san). She'll use their given name only if they give her the permission to (such as Tamayo-san and Shinobu-san).
### She'll use their given name, then added 'chan' and 'kun' if she respects and in a friendly term towards them. Usually to someone younger, the same age, and a maximum three years older than her (such as Sabito-kun and Makomo-chan).
### She doesn't use any of those honorific if she's neutral towards those who are younger, the same age, and maximum three years older than her (such as Kiyoshi, Shoichi, and Teruko). Or if she's a close friend to them (such as Zenitsu, Inosuke, and Aoi). Can be easily identified by how long Nezuko knows that person. In Aoi's case, as they met everyday because of the training, these two becomes close friends fast. Before, Nezuko called Aoi 'Aoi-san'.
### Then there's an exception. If she doesn't respect those people—no matter if they're younger, the same age, or even older than her—she'll call them using their given name and without any of the honorific (such as Muzan and Sanemi). Can be easily identified by her tone of voice. Zenitsu and Inosuke were included in this category at first because Zenitsu is a pervert and Inosuke hurt Zenitsu. But after speaking with them and knowing they're not 'that bad', Nezuko's tone turned friendlier and she considered them as friends now.