Note: It's been a while, and sorry for being inactive for those who have been asking for an update after three months. I have responsibilities in real life that are exhausting half of the time.
The journey of a former Pillar turned demon continues. Although Shinobu travels by herself, she is usually accompanied by the demon Akane, who lends Shinobu her strength for the sake of their survival. If Shinobu dies, then she dies as well. They've been fighting demon after demon that Shinobu is growing accustomed to her newfound demon body.
"I can feel myself drifting away from my old life, Akane. In a hundred years...I would completely forget myself" Shinobu stares at the fresh demon blood in her blade
...Then you'll become like me
"..."
I fear it would take a year or so before you would lose grip of your humanity
"Your blood and your flesh is infused into my body...yet I'm still me"
You're right about that. I should be using your body as my own while your consciousness is gone forever, but it didn't happen...
"Why?"
Shinobu retreats to a nearby rock and sits while the two of them discuss a mystery that should have been answered during the first days of the unusual transformation. Even if Shinobu is resting, despite a demon like her possessing an incredible amount of stamina, she remains on guard by tightly clenching her sword. There's no guarantee a hostile demon would pounce on her back while she's deep in a forest with no humans in sight.
I'm not certain either. Hirokuma is the one who wanted to see the result of another way to make a demon
"By consuming demon blood, a human can turn into a demon. So his experiment involving if it's possible to create a demon by infusing blood and flesh instead..." Shinobu grits her teeth
Exactly. He succeeded, but he forgot I'm no ordinary demon. We only managed to escape I woke up earlier than expected and retained some of my original strength
"It was because of him that we're stuck together. If we get undone, I will most likely die because it was your blood that healed my mortal wounds"
It's obvious for Shinobu that her dying body is only saved because of the demon's regenerative abilities. Ever since then, her body is being kept alive by her new demon body. At least that's what Shinobu believes judging from their situation.
That may be the case. Your transformation was only caused because of my blood and flesh being fused with yours, but...
"But...?"
I may die while you may live. I no longer have a proper body while your wounds have healed a long time ago
"Then there's a third possibility of both of us dying"
Even if that's the case, would you still go on?
"I won't stop trying. There may or may not be a chance of both of us dying"
The Pillar I despised and used in the beginning ended up being a person I need to live...
"...and the demon I want to get rid as much as possible is keeping me alive up until now"
A twist of fate ends up the two being dependent on each other's survival. At first, they deeply resent each other being natural enemies, but as days pass and each battle they overcome, they learn to coexist and even work together.
"Akane, if I lose my humanity before we find a solution, you must overtake me for good"
Shinobu?
"I may no longer control myself or remember my old life, but you will remain who you are right now"
It's funny because you've been suppressing me since the beginning, but now you're relying on me to stop yourself...
"I don't have much of a choice"
The two fall quiet, specially Akane, since Shinobu's request isn't something she can instantly agree on. It's slightly uneasy with how they've been wrestling control during the first week they are forcibly fused together. Akane doesn't truly expect Shinobu would rely on her in the end...at the very case Shinobu would lose sight of her old self.
If it helps, the remaining wisteria poison in your body is keeping your demon nature's influence on your mind...
"There are still some left on my body?"
It's the main reason why I can't use my Blood Demon Art. I can't draw out more of my strength with how demon blood and wisteria poison are struggling at each other
"If I consume more, it might kill us both"
I told you before, I'm not like the demons we kill every night. Wisteria poison only weakens me. Well, a large amount will do me in...
"I see. That's why neither of us died upon transforming"
Normal feral demons are usually eliminated by demon slayers with ease on most occasions. Those who manages to live for years or even centuries, possesses a superior body such as increased regeneration speed and resistant to poisons if one is dedicated enough to polish their techniques.
"Then how were you so weakened during our fight?"
I escaped from a Pillar about a couple of hours before we found each other which is why I was exhausted by the time you found me
"I see..."
Shinobu cracks her neck as the sound of heavy running and rustling leaves reaches to both of us. It's the sound of approaching enemies judging from the numbers from all directions, but they're not the smartest with the amount of noise they're making. Shinobu stretches her back and swings her blade in the air while waiting for who might be the ones targeting her this time.
"Kuhahaha! I knew it. It's this one" A demon with two large fangs laughs as it leaps in the air
"A female demon with a sword. It's this one who's been going around killing other demons" One carrying a large club smashes through a tree
"She looks strong, but I'm a stronger" Another one with thing elongated arm jumps out of the bushes
Shinobu turns her head and analyzes each demons appearing before her without even the slightest attempt to ambush her silently.
"What a pain..."
None of the demons surrounding her is even on the same level as a Lower Moon, much to her disappointment. If they actually possess enough strength to learn a Blood Demon Art, Akane or Shinobu might have sensed it, but not single one has a worthy scent. She's been slaying careless and arrogant ones like them that her immediate reaction is to sigh and groan out of annoyance.
"Let's get this over with. I'm heading to a town next"
"If I kill you, I'll be surely rewarded!" The armed demon roars
Whether going at her all at once or one by one won't make any difference since numbers aren't sufficient to actually pose a challenge on her. Shinobu may be physically weak when she used to be human, but Akane's accumulated strength puts her above most demons. She is aware of this and acts annoyed at the same behavior "weaklings" tend to possess.
"Raaaagh-!"
The demon with the large fangs loses its head first when Shinobu leaps to him first. Shinobu springs her legs back and a single powerful leap forward and a swift deadly swing ends the demon right before it could sense its immediate death.
"There's a lot tonight" Shinobu thinks to herself with a smile on her lips
She bears her pair of demon fangs and amethyst cat-like eyes - her demon nature coursing through her veins despite the wisteria poison keeping her power in check for the time being. With each swing, rises the thrill and instinctive desire to slay demons and humans alike. She doesn't care who it is so long as she could face someone who wouldn't back down from a fight.
"And that's ten-"
The demons naturally fails at eliminating her despite their numbers with Shinobu making quick work of them in less than five minutes. The last one loses both legs and desperately crawls for its life only to lose its life like the other nine before it. As soon as Shinobu senses her lips curving into a sinister smile and her hands aching to swing and stab through any living being, she staggers back that she almost loses her balance.
"Why am I enjoying fighting? It's like...I wanted to cut down more..."
Then you're really changing. I found thrill in strong opponents and your body is yearning for one...
"Our minds aren't completely merged like our bodies, but we're still connected"
I don't want to believe that it this continues, our minds will become as one
"It hasn't been a year, yet it's already starting"
We mustn't slack off. Hirokuma may be a coward, so he uses his puppets to move for him
Shinobu shakes her head and regains her composure with a goal still in mind. Her target may be a coward with how weak he is compared to Upper Moons, but so long as he lives, she would relentlessly track him down before she would lose her grip of her humanity.
ONE HOUR LATER
Just like she would do, Shinobu would visit towns even if there might be demon slayers on a mission or on patrol, specially Pillars who have their districts they patrol on a regular basis. The last thing Shinobu needs right now is another encounter with a Pillar.
"There's not much scent of blood here. Maybe demon slayers have recently cleared this town..."
Shinobu thinks to herself while adjusting her mask since she is a former Pillar who havd become a demon. Everyone believes she is dead and wishes to stay that way, knowing very well she will be forced to fight her own allies for her survival if they recognize her. In fact, other Pillars would hunt her down once they learn one of their own is now their enemy. They are merciless to all kinds of demons and wouldn't hesitate to cut off her head unlike Tanjiro.
I couldn't feel anything but I'm feeling uneasy for some reason
"Is someone watching us?" Shinobu whispers
That I don't know. Someone may be using a Blood Demon Art to stalk us
"Then..."
Don't draw out your sword yet
Just as Shinobu raises her hand, planning to reach for the sword safely on the left side of her hip. She would immediately warn the stalker that she is aware of unwanted eyes staring at her.
"I can't tell if there's someone watching us" Shinobu removes her mask
Neither can I
"This is annoying - hmm?"
Shinobu senses someone in front of her and immediately pulls out her sword for this reason. She steels her instincts and the rest of her body, in case another demon or demon slayer appears before her.
"Gueh...geh...geh"
A petite demon with a bloated back crawling on all fours turns to a corner of an alleyway, naturally sealing its fate by crossing paths with Shinobu. No matter who the demon is, Shinobu wouldn't spare even as her instincts as a demon is beginning to manifest from time to time.
"Ggah!"
The demon let out a short scream cut off when Shinobu wastes no time. Rather than just stand there and let the demon pounce on her or flee at sight, Shinobu sends its head flying right before it can even think of either of those two actions. The slice is both silent and deadly, a merciless method she uses rather than smash the opponent with raw power which would attract unnecessary attention.
"...!"
The body and the head of the normal demons disintegrates in seconds with the head vanishing after Shinobu sends flying and disintegrating into black dusts right before it collapses on the ground. Her next plan is to proceed and track more demons attempting or already preying on lone humans, but the graceful and almost silent landing of a cat nearly causes Shinobu to reflexively strike the cat down.
"A cat?"
A calico cat with completely round eyes stretches as soon as its four paws hit the ground. For a moment, Shinobu believes it might have been another demon trying to ambush her but the one in front of her is a completely regular cat. In fact, it doesn't even have the slightest thought of its own.
"Meow!" The cat turns around
Does it wants us to follow it?
"..."
Shinobu?
"I...don't like cats"
Seriously...?
"Besides, I'm not following some random cat that appeared out of nowhere"
...
Right now, Akane isn't certain whether Shinobu's refusal is simply because she dislikes cats in general or her natural distrust of a random cat appearing in front of her.
This one doesn't have the presence of an Upper Moon or that man, so I don't believe it belongs to any demon
"Even so, you can't expect me to follow a random cat"
I want to know where this cat will lead us
"And if it's a trap?"
I'll kill whoever is responsible
"You're being careless"
"Meeeooww!"
The cat blinks watching Shinobu seemingly argues with herself since having Akane fused with her means she's the only one who can communicate with her. Other people would just see one person yelling at thin air.
"Meow..." The cat turns away
The cat tilts its head and loses interest at the demon swordswoman continuing arguing with no one in sight and turns away rather than wait for the two to finish arguing.
"Hey-!"
At the corner of her eye, Shinobu realizes the cat jumps on a wall and begins to stroll away while she reflexively jumps on the wall to pursue it. The cat briefly turns its head to her but immediately ignores her again, gracefully threading on four paws while Shinobu blinks in confusion to why her body chooses to chase it.
"What an annoying cat"
The cat briefly pauses on one spot before racing away in a speed clearly abnormal for any cats. Shinobu shakes her head after snapping back to reality and pursue at the unusually agile and speedy cat. Of course, Shinobu has more speed and agility but a cat somehow proves to be evasive even while running.
"...!"
Shinobu slightly slides her left foot as a makeshift break and stiffens the rest of her body in order to force herself into a sudden stop. The cat, after briefly disappearing from Shinlo sight, leaps right in front of her but above her rather than right towards her face.
"What's happening. I can't feel my surroundings-"
Shinobu, on your forehead...
"My forehead? What's this? Paper?" Shinobu gently taps her forehead
A seemingly ordinary paper somehow finds it way sticking right into Shinobu's forehead even if she is certain the paler isn't present even before she is chasing the cat. It's impossible for the car to be the one responsible for slapping the paper on her forehead.
Our surroundings changed
"...You're right. This isn't the alleyway anymore" Shinobu raises her sword
She finds herself in front of a spacious yard with a small garden around her. Small trees and various flowers create a mesmerizing scenery that can distract any lost passerby. Fortunately, Shinobu isn't foolish enough to stand quietly and let the enemy take advantage of her slight confusion. There may be no enemy present right now, but every part of her body is ready to swing her sword and unless a breathing form as soon a she senses a demon's presence.
"...I'm guessing you're the one who made the cat run all the way here" Shinobu frowns
Slow gentle footsteps approach her from behind without the slightest killing or violent intent towards her which is why neither Shinobu nor Akane are hostile at the sudden presence. It puzzles the two to how they can be lead to an unknown place by an unknown person without the slightest detection from both of them.
"My apologies. As soon as Yushiro spotted you again, I had to draw you here here away from Kibutsuji Muzan..."
A sorrowful woman with pale skin bows seeing how Shinobu is displeased with being unknowingly lured into what could have been a trap for her. Beside her is an ill-tempered looking with a clean cut and deeply hostile eyes. The woman happens to be a demon much like them but Akane is instinctively restraining Shinobu from immediately going for the demon's head.
"Who are you? You're a demon but you don't have the same bloodlust as the others" Shinobu raises her blade again
"I am Tamayo, a demon doctor who continues to treats humans rather than feed on them"
"A demon being a normal doctor? I find it unbelievable someone like you would treat humans and resist eating them"
In her eyes, all demons do is endlessly hunt and feast on humans until demon slayers decapitate them. No demon can resist their urge to sink their teeth on human flesh, save for Nezuko who can even resist Sanemi's rare blood intoxicating for demons. Tamayo may wear a genuine gentle and reserved expression, but Shinobu trusts no demon. Akane, being forcibly merged with her body and left a disembodied consciousness, is an exception.
"I should return those words as well. You are a demon yet you slay other demons without a second thought" Tamayo points out
"I haven't forgotten who I was even after being forced into becoming a demon"
"Then I'm thankful you hadn't become one of Kibutsuji Muzan's obedient pawn"
"Why did you go through all of that just to lure me here? Depending on your answer, I may cut off your head"
Right now, Akane remains quiet as soon Tamayo reveals herself, but Shinobu is too occupied from guarding herself against a possible ambush from either of the two unknown demons in front of her. Tamayo and Yushiro are neither combatants, but Shinobu isn't someone who would care even if she knows it.
"You are a former demon slayer, correct? Perhaps...a Pillar?" Tamayo guesses
"...?!"
"I see. You are indeed a former Pillar. I never thought he would think of using a Pillar despite belittling everyone around him"
"An opportunistic bastard caught me off guard and forcibly merged a demon to my dying body"
"An unnatural way to create a demon? The only one who would think of such method...is Hirokuma"
"You know him?! Where is he?!" Shinobu angrily demands
"Don't you dare talk like that to Tamayo-sama!" Yushiro steps forward
"Calm down, Yushiro. It seems this former Pillar is one of his unwilling subjects"
Tamayo taps Yushiro's shoulder, immediately calming and silencing the overprotective demon companion. Shinobu has been tirelessly searching for Hirokuma all while slaying other demons left and right. She would do anything to track him down and rip all of his limbs if that's what it takes to undo their forced merging.
"It was him who fused me with a demon, transforming me into one in the process. I'll kill him as soon as I regain my humanity"
"It's not as simple as that. Your circumstances is different which makes it more complex. His methods are something's irreversible" Tamayo regretfully informs her
"Why do you know him? Are you an ally of him?" Shinobu points her sword
"I can never see someone as cruel as him as my ally. At first, he wished to learn more about his demon nature in order to reverse it...but Muzan's influence poisoned him into creating all sorts of demons" Tamayo clenches her fists
This is odd. She is truly gentle that it's difficult to believe she is a demon. I suppose she retains her humanity just like you
"Akane?" Shinobu presses her temple
I'm observing this woman and that snappy looking boy. There's no hint of killing intent
"Are you saying we should trust her?"
Let's hear her out first. She may be our key to finding that bastard who made us like this. Besides, she's against Muzan.
"...Tch. Fine"
Akane is still skeptical of Tamayo, but she she is willing to bet on the chances Tamayo may know more about Hirokuma's possible whereabouts and a way to control the demonic nature slowly creeping to Shinobu. They wouldn't make progress by blinding chasing him, so their current gamble is a must.
"Do you know where he is at least?" Shinobu sighs
"Unfortunately, no. We have lost contact as soon as he declared he will create improved demons for that filthy man, but I'm aware of his recent experiments involving corpses of demon slayers"
"What?! There's more?!" Shinobu stomps her right foot
"You're not the only one forcibly turned into a demon, but you're the only one who retained your humanity" Tamayo is born glad and surprised
"Then I must be the only one with the voice of the demon fused to me still talking"
"...?" Tamayo blinks in confusion
"The demon whose blood and flesh was infused to me still retained her consciousness. Right now, I'm sharing this body with her. Honestly, she would always find a reason to complain" Shinobu deliberately mocks Akane on the last statement
Hey...!
"This is unheard of. Not only you retained your humanity, you're sharing your consciousness with the demon. I'm surprised neither of you are in constant struggle"
"During the first two weeks, yes. Somehow we learned to tolerate each other the more demons we kill. Besides, we're dependent on each other's survival"
Shinobu reluctantly informs Tamayo of their unique circumstances while she sheathes her sword, gradually lowering her hostility against the two. Yushiro, on the other hand, faintly growls while sticking right beside Tamayo.
"I shouldn't be surprised at circumstances like this. Nezuko-san showed being resistant to feeding on humans" Tamayo mumbles
"Are you referring to Kamado Nezuko? The younger sister of a demon slayer with a sharp sense of smell?"
"Are you...one of Kamado Tanjiro-san's old acquaintances?"
"Tamayo-sama, this may be really the Pillar that boy has been babbling about. The dead one who could be alive" Yushiro whispers
"Then...you are Kochou Shinobu, the one Tanjiro-san believes to have survived?"
"Kamado Tanjiro. The boy whose heart is filled with compassion and understanding despite being a demon slayer. To think he would make an unlikely acquaintance" Shinobu shakes her head
Do you hate it...?
"No. I'm a bit intrigued of this woman now even if I'm still not fully on board on the idea of trusting another demon" Shinobu is unsure of herself right now
Then this woman is going to be important to us. Let's trust for her the time being as she may be give more insights of our current situation and possible
Akane and Shinobu both agree on Tamayo possibly being able to help them on their current situation with her knowledge of being a demon doctor studying about the nature of demons for hundreds of years now.
"If you are searching for a way to return being human, then you can help us" Tamayo offers her help
"If I were to help you, then you must tell me of every little detail you know about Hirokuma and his experiments with corpses"
"I will be more than willing to share my knowledge of that man" Tamayo needs
"Since Tanjiro trusts you, then I'll believe I can trust you...for now" Shinobu frowns
Shortly after that, Shinobu falls quiet and lowers her head. Too quiet that Yushiro steps right in front of Tamayo and lifts one of his hands, fearing that Shinobu might suddenly attack the vulnerable Tamayo.
"The fugitive Tamayo. It's no joke that you're truly against that man" Shinobu lifts her head and chuckles
"Are you the demon merged with that girl?" Tamayo guesses
"I'm the demon Akane, a former student of one of the Upper Moons. Even if I was affiliated to them, I no longer side with them. Right now, I'm sticking with this angry girl, so I'm not your enemy"
"..." Tamayo is wary due to the demon's confident behavior
"My goal right now is unlikely of a demon like me, but it's something I've chosen after having so much free time lounging within her mind"
Akane, speaking through Shinobu, behaves and speaks rather stern and direct. Despite her appearance in her true young form before losing her body, Akane acts as if she's aware of how the world around functions and barely tolerates it, having little purpose without knowledge of her former life.
"Shinobu will get angry I took over without notice again, but I want to speak to you. There's something I need to know" Akane frowns
What she wishes to discuss is confidential enough that she is forced to repress Shinobu even if the latter has her agree to stop overtaking her when they're not in a situation of life and death. Akane isn't someone who leaves everything to Shinobu and has her own set unanswered mysterious...possibly regarding her past.
About a day after learning of Rengoku Kyoujurou's brief encounter against a demon strongly resembling Shinobu, Giyuu impatiently taps while his steaming hot tea is slowly losing its heat with every second he spends in deep thought.
"Calm down, Giyuu. I mean I may have have seen Shinobu but it doesn't mean it's her. It might be just a demon using her face" Kyoujurou flails his hands
"It's really confusing. If the one I met that one time is indeed Kochou, then how was she able to learn Water Breathing?" Giyuu bites his thumb
"Well, the supposed Shinobu I met used Wind Breathing. I mean it's not impossible to learn another Breathing form, but her movements were as if she mastered it her whole life"
The Flame Pillar closes her eyes and recalls his very experience against the masked sword wielding demon who turned out to be Shinobu. He only catches a glance of the face behind the partially cracked mask since Kokushibo immediately knocks him out unconscious and almost got killed.
"What if there's a demon possessing dead bodies?!" Kyoujurou slams the table almost spilling both of their teas
"That's what I want to believe since there's no way Kochou can master two Breathing techniques in less than a year" Giyuu finds it unbelievable
"Still, it's a mystery on how not a single trace of her body was found when her tsukugo ran after her. She chased only one demon, but both the demon and Shinobu's body are gone" Kyoujurou raises his index finger
"It's presumed they either took each other out or the demon escaped after taking Kochou out" Giyuu doesn't see other reasons
"You're going to look for her since you believe she really is alive. Mitsuri met a demon who looked like Shinobu, and that suspicious demon didn't even bother fighting her. If it's the one we know, then it's clear why the demon escaped rather than fight"
"I want to see it for myself. If it's her, I want to ask her myself if it's really her"
"What will you if it's really her?" Kyoujurou loses his energetic tone
"..."
Giyuu averts his gaze against the question. He is determined to search for Shinobu's possible survival despite her presumed death, but he has yet to prepare himself on the eventuality of encountering the demon strongly resembling Shinobu.
"Whether you will kill her because she's a demon or spare her because it's still her is up to you. As your best friend, I will provide support if the tough gets going" The Flame Pillar widely grins
"For the last time, we're not best friends..." Giyuu grunts
"Nonsense! We fight together, we eat together, and we're honest we're each other"
"...There's no helping it with you" Giyuu shakes his head
"Do you want me to come along? If she's with other demons, then I can deal with them while you talk to her...if we encounter her"
"No. I can take care of things myself. Pillars like us only go together if there's a demon stronger than a Lower Moon"
"Okay then! I believe in your strength!"
Rengoku Kyoujurou is a rather strange one. In fact, he's a contrast to the stern and "solo" Tomioka Giyuu. Ironically, they're contrasting personalities matching their techniques prove to be compatible with each other may it be during their normal days or while fighting together.
"That's basically what happened..." Giyuu crosses his arms
"That didn't really answer my question..." Tanjiro scratches his cheek
"I just thought you needed to know first to why I'm suddenly here with you"
"Oh, I see..." Tanjiro hits his palm
"The real reason I asked you to come is because of the recent sighting of a masked swordswoman who killed a demon in a nearby village. She was last sighted wandering around the village territory no more than one day ago, so I figure your sharp nose can pick up her scent"
"Shinobu-san may be using some sort of poison. If she's the demon who I chased some time ago, then she can mask her scent with poison" Tanjiro's fingers fidget
"The demon who you saw eat someone, right?"
"...Yeah"
"Truth to be told, I don't want to kill Kochou if I were to see her again as a demon. If she still remembers herself that is..." Giyuu clenches his fists
It may not seem like it, but Giyuu and Shinobu are surprisingly close allies who spend enough time to be aware of each other's habits and preferences. To be exact, it's just Shinobu teasing Giyuu first, but the two end up continuing in casual yet not-so-cheerful conversations. At the very least, Giyuu wants to believe death can be avoided
"Even if we are fortunate enough that the demon is still the Shinobu we know, she can never go back to the corps..." Giyuu is also aware of that
"Then what do you want to do with her? I don't think...I can cut down Shinobu-san as " Tanjiro drops his shoulders
"I just want to see her...and talk things out"
"I see..."
"If she ends up insulting me with a smile on her face, then it's indeed her"
"That's..."
"I'm just trying to lighten the mood. You already look so down"
Giyuu simply attempts to gain a reaction other than depression from Tanjiro, but it's unlikely of him that Tanjiro presses his lips together and stares at him with wide eyes. The heavy atmosphere between them is gone, but it's rather awkward now thanks to Giyuu attempting humor.
"By the way, where's the loud boar?" Giyuu suddenly notices
"Inosuke? He's just right-"
Tanjiro confidently points right behind them only to realize the hard-headed Inosuke is nowhere to be found for a few minutes now. The unsurprised yet speechless expression in Tanjiro's face increases the weight of the current situation again while Giyuu slaps his palm right to the center of his face.
Chapter 16: Akane, suppressing Shinobu again, wanders on her own when her Breathing form is hinting about her past. As Giyuu and Tanjiro searches for the missing Inosuke, Tanjiro catches am unfamiliar scent.