Blood was everywhere, but there were no corpses. Even if there were bodies, they would just disintegrate the moment they collapsed on the ground. It was swift and it was ruthless. There were many of them, but their numbers withered faster than leaves fell from the branches.
"..."
A light colored kimono was dyed in red while the once stainless blade was dipped by the blood work every stab and slashed the wielder created. They screamed, but the one swift slash from the sword immediately silenced them.
"..."
Even if it was noisy or silent, the girl who wielded a sword like a part of her continued to move and swing with no hesitation. Her heart raced faster, but her emotions were restrained until it slowly suffocated her
"..." There was an unknown expression with each one she cut down
A pair of icy blue eyes blankly stared at the victims right dead in the eyes. There wasn't any fear, just the necessity to kill those who stood in front of her...but there was pain that stung her heart. She stood there and continued with the slaughter. She bit her lip, and she couldn't let out even a silent scream.
"..."
The only thing that was different was the one she slayed were no older than the girl. Even if it there was an age gap, the other boys and girls are just at least a couple of years older than her.
"None"
The girl looked and left right. There was no one else left but her. Not too long ago, it was all way too noisy and crowded. Everyone glared at each other with pure murderous intent. They were after each other's neck, but in the end only one remained. It was a girl unfazed the amount of blood that painted her from head to toe and the strong stench of blood on her then around her.
"Shishou, there's no one left. Only one remained like you said" The girl panted, horror in her eyes
The girl slowly walked towards the tall man who coldly looked at her with three pairs of eyes, with two of them had the characters of "Upper" and "One" on each side. The strongest Upper Moon, narrowed his eyes and looked towards the stoic and still unfazed girl.
"Hmph. Of all twenty two, twenty one weak ones were pruned out. You, you were the only one not pruned"
Kokushibo was unclear whether he was impressed or dismayed at the result. Twenty one was eliminated, and the only one who refused to be pruned was the girl.
"I was right to not have cut you down like the others, Akane"
"..." Akane looked away, somewhat filled with guilt
"Let me wipe this blood so I may see it...the mark on your face"
Kokushibo bent down and even with the demon's passive intimidation, the girl was only solemn and discontent rather than nervous around the demon swordsman.
"There. The mark that seethed against your fellow humans...is as clear as the blade of a fine sword"
Kokushibo commented on the small yet permanent 'stain' that was on Akane's lower cheek. The mark on her face was still not small, as if a lost and confused in the dark yet it continued to move forward even if the desire changed midway. The girl's pure-hearted passion had its fuel changed by horrified realization and uncertainty.
"Do not let the stray wind strip you away of everything. Instead, spread that hatred further...render everything to ash"
"My gramps told me this sword was meant to protect the others and for the future, but I did the opposite. Even if I abandoned his teachings that I loathed for the breath of the wind, the small mark on my face will remain forever"
Akane clenched her fists, her emotionless expression displayed visible anger and disappointment.
"This blade was supposed to protect...but it only trampled on others. I can't possibly use his teachings, so I'll become the wind that will snuff out these false flames"
"You will not live long enough to extinguish the foolish swords of men because of that mark. Accept the blood of that man, and even the gentle breeze can become a tornado that shredded everything in its path. Sharpen that blade further...and do not ever let that hit be quenched even by a gentle river"
Kokushibo made an offer and even gave an advise as he gazed at Akane right in her eyes. The girl hesitated for a moment, but it was already clear what would be her answer even before Kokushibo asked her.
Did I made the right decision?
Shinobu immediately opened her eyes and grabbed the sword that rested beside her immediately. She reflexively prepared a defensive stance, but she looked around. There was no one else but her right now.
"..."
What's wrong?
"I had a weird dream again. I saw flames...then wind engulfed it and it was extinguished"
Shinobu made sure there was no one else within the vicinity while responded to the confused Akane. She was outside at night, and she was cautious of an attack by another demon or a demon slayer.
"I tried to relax my mind, but I ended up being confused by the thoughts that flowed in my mind"
Hmm. Maybe you're practicing way too much? As soon as the sun sets, you immediately begin to sharpen your blade until dawn
"We don't have time to waste. I need to be capable of defending myself against demon slayers and other demons"
Shinobu has been slowly improving her techniques by battling and killing demons. She is already adjusting to her "newly found" demon strength and abilities but she has yet to master the Breath of Water which she slowly learns from remembering her past keen observations of Giyuu practicing.
You're a bit out of focus today. I can tell because I know someone when they are distracted. I'm a swordmaster after all
"It's about Tomioka-san"
You're boyfrie - old acquaintance? Do you regret showing yourself to him?
"It's complicated but I feel uneasy when I saw him again. He doesn't know who he was talking to but I know him"
Do you...want to let him know it's you?
"I don't know. It's been a month since I became a demon and I'm not certain whether I can retain my humanity"
Shinobu lowers her sword when her hands begin to shake. Fear and anxiety starts to consume her just thinking about her humanity losing to her demonic nature.
He's someone close to you, isn't he? That's why you don't want him to get himself killed
"Tomioka-san may look like he's cold and distant about he cares about others and he's a kind person"
For the first time, Shinobu genuinely speaks fondly and sincerely of Giyuu to Akane who notices this.
You two were really close, huh. I don't know if I had someone I can call a friend but on some nights, I would see someone smiling at me
"You lost your human memories. You couldn't remember anything prior to becoming a demon"
This is odd. You sound concerned to a demon like me...
"...I'm not really sure"
It's been more than a month since Shinobu had become a demon. Her personality remained human, but she slowly changed the more she spoke towards the demon fused with her. The demon she once hated was now an existence she was already comfortable with.
"I'm beginning to feel like I'm changing the more I stay as a demon..." Shinobu bit her thumb
You're not alone. I feel these thoughts and feelings are changing
"I don't know if it's a good thing or a bad thing for both of us"
If it's a bad thing, then it gives us more reason to turn you back to being human
"Is there really a chance for me to go back to being human?"
What are you trying to say, Shinobu? Have you lost hope all of a sudden?
"..."
Shinobu dropped her shoulders and sat in one corner to ponder about herself and her future. Her goal was to return as a human while she avoided her old allies as much as possible, but Akane feared there were doubts in Shinobu's heart.
Shinobu...do you still want to go back being human?
"I...don't know"
There was a minute of silence between them when Shinobu's doubts was indeed confirmed. For the first time in Akane's life, she was shocked by the response of someone who had thought of nothing but to become human again...suddenly doubted her goal.
...Then do you want to remain as a demon?
"..."
Shinobu...
"The more days passed, the less I feel like being human. Demon, no...Akane, I think I'm losing touch of my humanity"
Shinobu unsheathed her sword and turned the blade to the side to see the reflection of her demonic eyes from the steel illuminated by the moon above them.
Shinobu, what you wish to do is up to yourself. I will not dictate whether you should find a way to return to being human or stay as a demon
"Even if I'm beginning to doubt myself, I won't stop trying. I'm not letting go of my humanity without a fight"
Shinobu stood up and sheathed her blade again and declared she has yet to give up. She still remained human, so her goal didn't change. Akane already made it clear she would support whatever decision she would make, so this caused her to curve a faint smile while her spiritual self smiled.
Hmph. That's more like it
For a moment, the demon Akane thought Shinobu's desire to return as a human wavered, but the former Pillar clung to what remained of her humanity.
Butterfly Estate
Giyuu blankly stared at the ceiling, his memory refreshed the image of the masked swordswoman who he encountered the other day. To his surprise, the swordswoman was a breath user, water breath user to be specific. It was as if Giyuu was mesmerized by that girl that Tanjiro blinked and tilted his head.
"You both look and smell happy today, Giyuu-san" Tanjiro pointed out
"Two days ago, I met the swordswoman I was talking about. She was a breath user, but not part of the demon slayer corps" Giyuu crossed his arms
"Whoa! Like a renegade breath user. I thought all breath users are part of the corps"
"Another breath user taught her, but she didn't tell who it was. She didn't tell me what her name was"
It surprised Tanjiro how Giyuu seemed upset and dismayed he never learned the identity of this mysterious swordswoman. Tanjiro never met this masked swordswoman so he was curious of her identity much like Giyuu.
"Do you like her, Giyuu-san?" Tanjiro jokingly asked
"I'm curious about her. That's all"
"You're giving off a sweet scent. Do you want to see her again?"
"I feel like I know her from somewhere, but I can't put my finger on it"
Giyuu rubbed his chin, even more intrigued at the identity of this swordswoman due to the familiarity he sensed. More than anything, he wanted to know if the identity beyond the mask was someone she knew.
"Also if possible, she should be a demon slayer with those skills"
"Then do you want her to teach more of Breath of Water if she joined?" Tanjiro smiled
"...She can improve her skills if she had more proper training" Giyuu looked away
"It looks like it was fortunate you were on that mission"
Tanjiro was purely glad for Giyuu that he coincidentally encountered the masked swordswoman after they briefly first met about a couple of weeks ago.
"I just remembered during that mission two days ago. A demon said he was responsible for Kochou's death..." Giyuu's voice turned serious
"There's a scent of anger..." Tanjiro was worried
"A lowly demon like that couldn't have taken out Kochou. She would have handled herself against something like that"
Giyuu's hands tensed and he gently squeezed his arms. Even Tanjiro could sense he was angry behind that stoic expression and emotionless tone. Giyuu refused to be believe that a demon that wasn't even on Lower Moon level had taken out Shinobu.
"Giyuu-san would you believe there's a chance Shinobu-san is still alive?" Tanjiro took a deep breath before he brought it up
"What do you mean, Tanjiro?"
"I didn't tell you this before, but we fought a demon who had Shinobu-san's scent"
"What...?!"
Giyuu clearly heard what Tanjiro had said, but this greatly shocked him that he stood up and his expression was visibly in disbelief.
"Mitsuri-san also said she met a demon who looked exactly like Shinobu-san. The demon denied this and ran away before Mitsuri-san could confirm it" Tanjiro added
"That would be impossible. Kochou died so she couldn't possibly become a demon" Giyuu refused to believe it
He was calm, but he became upset when he heard the possibility that Shinobu was alive as a demon.
"Giyuu-san, her body was never found, right?"
"...?!"
"What if..."
"Tanjiro, I refused to believe Kochou will turn into a demon, let alone allow herself to become one. Until I see it to myself, I can't think of that possibility just yet" Giyuu clarified to Tanjiro
"Giyuu-san..."
"If Kochou did become a demon and lost her humanity, then I have no choice but to take her out..."
"I understand that, Giyuu-san. If she became a completely different person, then we have no choice but to do our jobs as demon slayers"
Tanjiro agreed with a heavy heart. He cared for the people around him, but he would raise his sword even against his loved one if they had lost their humanity and sanity. In Giyuu's case, despite his word that he would take out Shinobu if she turned out like other demons, there was doubt in his heart.
Later that night
Shinobu sprung her legs and pushed herself forward in a burst. Her silver blade illuminated by the moonlight, swiftly dispatched three demons in front of her with ease. The demon fused with her was not yet on Upper Moon level, but she could hold her ground against powerful demons and skilled demon slayers. They now tolerated each other enough that Akane allowed Shinobu to use her strength like they were one person.
"I'm getting used to this body the more I fight"
Shinobu noticed physical changes while she effortlessly decapitated a demon who pounced from the left. She moved her left foot backward and swung her sword without the need to look at the demon itself
The truth is, I never had beaten a Pillar at their peak strength. It's only because of my mentor that I was able to put up a fight against them
"I'm guessing if you had another one hundred years, you might be capable of taking out a Pillar. You knew how to use breaths despite being a demon" Shinobu commented
I'm not certain about that. Only the Upper Moons are capable of killing Pillars and even the lowest one is still powerful for me
"Upper Moons, huh..."
Akane mentioned the Upper Moons before and what kind of demons they were, but Shinobu's thoughts views somewhat changed now. The Upper Moons were demons that needed at least three Pillars to defeat, but when she thought about them now...she looked at her blood-stained blade.
"It wouldn't be too bad if I were to become one..."
Shinobu...?!"
"What...? What did I just say...? Why did I say that...?"
Shinobu staggered back, shocked and horrified at her own words. She expressed a desire to become strong enough worthy of an Upper Moon's strength and title. Even the demon Akane was shocked and alarmed by this.
It's like you're thoughts are changing...
"I'm becoming so used to being a demon that my mind is becoming one as well" Shinobu's bit her lip
This is the risk of becoming a demon. Even if you cling to your humanity, it will be snuffed out unless you break that man's curse
"His curse?"
Every demon is connected to the original demon. That's why no one can escape from him. His blood will overwhelm your humanity sooner or later
"That damn..."
Just calm down for a moment, you can't think straight if you're angry
"I need to find the other demons that ran away first. I'll kill every single one of them!"
A frustrated Shinobu clenched her sword tighter and decided to change her location to hunt down more of the demons that escaped to vent out her frustration.
"...!"
Shinobu's instincts to defend herself immediately kicked in and her body reflexively leaped away from the spot she stood a few seconds ago. A demon punched the ground, and she barely dodged it because she allowed herself to be distracted.
"...?!" Shinobu prepared to swing her sword
She stomped the ground and delivered one powerful swing, the pair of demons were immediately taken out. Even if she could use the Breath of Water from her constant observation of Giyuu's practice, she only needed to use them against demons who had Blood Demon Arts.
"Murata, there's another demon right here!" A demon slayer shouted
"We shouldn't face that kind of demon with just the two of us! She has a sword!" Murata shouted
"Don't be a wimp! It's not like this demon is the rumored demons swordsman!"
The unnamed demon slayer drew his sword and didn't even hesitate to charge at the uninterested Shinobu.
"What?!"
He swung his blade, but Shinobu stepped aside with little effort. She had little no problems to defend herself against an ordinary demon slayer. The only ones she would worry about would be the Pillars whom she would hesitate to fight, and she knew she would have difficulty if she were to fight them.
"Do you think even with a nichirin sword, you can cut off my head?"
"You demon-"
Shinobu swung her own nichirin sword and she held back when she targeted the demon slayer who was overconfident that he faced her without a second thought.
"Aaah! My stomach!" The unnamed demon slayer cried out
"Takeuchi!" Murata screamed out
The demon slayer whose name was apparently Takeuchi rolled on the ground and screamed in pain after Shinobu delivered one effortless slash on his abdomen.
"Fortunately for you, that was only a normal cut...but it only caused increased pain due to my poison that lowered your pain tolerance" Shinobu explained
"S-shallow..."
Takeuchi crawled away while Murata stood frozen, unsure whether he should help his fellow demon slayer or not. There was indeed a cut on his abdomen and even blood, but the slash was not fatal. Shinobu made sure her attack would not kill him, but she wanted to discourage him for his recklessness.
"Y-you may look strong, but I'm not just going to stand here!"
Murata shook off his head and drew his own sword while his fellow demon slayer writhed in pain near him. He stepped in front of Takeuchi and decided to bravely face against the demon with a fight rather than let her kill him like a coward.
"..."
Shinobu fell quiet for a moment and dropped her shoulders. She was awfully quiet that it made Murata more nervous since he wasn't sure what the demon's next move would be.
"Eek!"
Just when Murata blinked, Shinobu leaped forward with her blade drawn. She was already in front of a frozen Murata and prepared to swing down her blade when she stopped at the last second, just an inch before the blade made contact with Murata's chest.
"...!"
Shinobu looked up at the night sky and jumped back before a blade could have cut her.
"Sorry to keep everyone waiting! The Flame Pillar, Rengoku Kyoujorou is here!"
Like always, Kyoujorou made his entrance and even announced himself as soon as he arrived at the scene. The two demon slayers behind him sparkled with joy, greatly relieved at the sight of a Pillar in the scene.
"You there! Take your friend curling in pain away while I deal with the demon!"
"Y-yes!"
Murata saluted and complied without a second thought. She grabbed Takeuchi who was still in pain and dragged him away as fast as he could.
"You have a sword, but you're probably not the demon swordsman I'm looking for!"
"..."
"Breath of Flame first form: Unknowing Fire!"
Kyoujorou Rengoku gathered all of his speed as he charged at high speed towards the masked swordswoman in front of her. This one attack could easily decapitate a demon in one or multiple slash.
"She dodged!"
Shinobu leapt into the air before Kyoujorou's blade could even reach her. He was somewhat impressed since it wasn't always a demon could dodge a Pillar's attack.
"Flame...Pillar..."
"Excuse me?" Kyoujorou was confused
"It's been a long time since I saw a Flame Pillar..."
At that moment, Shinobu's behavior drastically changed the moment Kyoujorou Rengoku arrived at attacked her.
"Breath of the wind..."
"...?"
"Eight form: Primary gale slash!"
Shinobu jumped towards Kyoujorou and swung her blade which generated slashes similar to circular torrents of wind. It slashed through the trees behind Kyoujorou right after he dodged and not even the leaves were spared. It was no gentle breeze, but a violent wind that almost passed through him.
"Ugh...! My head. You should really stop doing that, Akane"
Can you fight him? He's a Pillar, you know
"You don't need to interfere. I can take on Rengoku-san"
Shinobu shook her head when Akane briefly overtake Shinobu again and fought the Flame Pillar without a hint of doubt
"You can use breaths?! I never met a demon who can use a Breaths before!"
Kyoujorou was both shocked and impressed to have witnessed a demon that could actually use Breaths like demon slayers.
"Interesting! If you weren't a demon, maybe you would have been a fine demon slayer...!"
"You have no idea..." Shinobu scoffed
"Breath of Flame fifth form: Flame tiger!"
"Breath of Water fourth form: Striking tide"
This time, Kyoujorou performed a series of high speed slashes that resembled a tiger while Shinobu countered with multiple consecutive slashes while she twisted her body in a manner similar to a harsh tide. Their blades clashed with one another, and both Breaths of opposite nature countered each of their slashes.
(I'm still not used to flighting against another Pillar..."
Shinobu muttered to herself as she jumped back, her shoulder, arm, and chest received several of the multiple slashes. It didn't matter to her since she regenerated her cuts within a few seconds.
"...!"
It wasn't just her body. She heard a crack from her mask when some parts of it were touched by Kyoujorou's blade.
"It seems I landed a couple of hits on you. Even your mask is cracking!"
(Damn it) Shinobu clicked her tongue
"Breath of Flame"
"...!"
"Ninth form: Rengoku!"
Unlike the first form, his ninth form was much stronger and faster. He initiated the attacked from a distance to perform a deadly dashing slashes. He charged forward in a speed that his direction left an impression on the ground.
"I can't believing I'm using this..." Shinobu sighed
Shinobu...?
"Breath of Water eleventh form..."
Eleventh?!
"...Dead calm"
Shinobu relaxed her whole body and focused her body to enter a total state of defence. It was a technique she had yet to fully master unlike the one who invented it, but she saw herself in a situation where she had no choice but to use it. She gambled in the defensive form of her current breath style and used imperceptible speed to at least reduce the impact of the attack on her. The fiery Flame and calm Water went head on...
"That form...!"
Shinobu was knocked away, but her balance remained while Kyoujorou jumped back in shock. It was obvious to why he reacted that away as he instantly recognized the form.
"That's the Water Pillar's new technique! Where did you learn it...?!"
(It's breaking, huh...) Shinobu gently pressed her badly damaged mask
She may have prevented her own decapitation, but she wasn't able to defend her mask from the impact of the attack.
"I'll ask you again. Where did you-"
"You let your guard down again, Akane..."
Shishou!
Kyoujorou Rengoku was briefly shocked when a demon managed to appear behind him unnoticed. That demon was none other than Akane's mentor Kokushibo. The powerful demon swordsman raised his blade and could swing it down faster than the Flame Pillar could react.
"Hmm? You tried to defend a Pillar, Akane?"
Akane overtook Shinobu again and used her own speed that was greater than Shinobu to block Kokushibo's flesh blade. She kicked the Flame Pillar to the side and blocked the downwards slash with her own sword.
"Don't...interfere in my own fight, shishou..." Akane pleaded
"Then finish off that Pillar or I will..."
"Not yet. I'm not content like this...!" Akane shook her head
"You're hesitating to fight Pillars because of that human you were fused with?"
"I want to kill a Pillar on my own this time. I couldn't get stronger if you keep popping out on my random fights!" Akane was clearly upset
"Then when are you going to kill that Pillar?"
"When you stop coming out of nowhere and let me fight on my own"
"Hmph..."
Kokushibo drew away his blade and sheathed it back while Akane took a slight breath of relief.
(That demon is incredibly strong. I can tell from the bloodlust and threatening aura!) Kyoujorou prepared to draw his sword
He wasn't reckless enough charge in even when both demons had their swords sheathed. He knew if he were to make one move, he would be cut down as fast as Kokushibo appeared behind him.
"This is annoying..." Half of the mask shattered and fell apart on the ground
"I suggest you get a stronger mask"
"I will since this is the second time it broke"
The right half remained intact, but the left side of the face was now exposed with half of the mask broken. Akane didn't look at Kyoujorou, but the latter directly looked at her. Even if the person in front was different, the appearance of who the body belonged to remained the same.
"You're-" Kyoujorou gasped
"It seems I caused an unnecessary disruption..."
"...!"
Rather than kill Rengoku Kyoujorou, Kokushibo struck Kyoujorou at back of his head and rendered him unconscious.
"Shishou? You didn't kill him?"
"I'm letting this pass due to my...unexpected appearance, but there won't be a next time. Do remember that, Akane"
"Yes..." Akane lowered her head
"That human won't resist the influence of that man's blood forever" Kokushibo walked towards Akane and reminded her
"..."
"Akane, you're not growing attached to that human, are you?" Kokushibo's expression darkened
"...No. I won't allow a mere human to get the best of me. I am a demon who killed countless demon slayers for two centuries. She is no different"
"Hmph. Better make sure of that..."
Kokushibo was both cold and stern towards to Akane, but somehow he was not completely ruthless to her. It was not always he would spare a Pillar, but he had his reasons because of Akane's insistence.
"Akane, do not forget that you're a demon...and an enemy of the demon slayers"
Kokushibo stopped just as he walked past her and left her one last reminder, but Akane wasn't certainly grateful for those words. She remained quiet even when the demon swordsman left the scene.
"An enemy, huh. Well...demons aren't certainly my allies either"
Akane remove what remains of the half broken mask since she needed a replacement again.
"Thankfully, it wasn't the Water Pillar..."
Rengoku Kyoujorou remained unconscious with his body flat on the ground, but Akane barely cared about him. He was just relieved the one Shinobu briefly fought wasn't Giyuu or it might have ended differently.
Chapter 14: Giyuu learns there's a demon who can use the technique that only he can use which prompts him to track down this demon when he suspects he might knew who it is. Meanwhile, Shinobu struggles to retain her humanity as she starts to lean on her demon nature.