08/02: Next chapter is currently in progress but may take a while. If all goes well, it will be out in less than a week.
The merged pair Shinobu and Akane follows the scent of blood and the faint trail growing thick with each distance they leap. Shinobu grits her teeth at the sight of blood splattered and splashed around her, specially on the ground creating a straight trail. What started drops of blood in front of her grows to a trail of blood painted carelessly on the ground.
"A remote village?"
After crossing through a thick forest protected by sturdy and tall trees, Shinobu narrows her eyes and recognizes rough shapes of normal homes with a wooden wall surrounding all around it. There isn't a single light lit or slightest sound, which may be because the people or asleep...or there isn't a single living being present.
"Something isn't right..."
Before they could reach the boundary of the village, Shinobu stomps and digs her left foot to the rough soil and raises her guard even when not a single living being is present within their detection range.
I can't sense anything. Even if my power is still weak, my Blood Demon Art would have sensed footsteps or anything
"Can't you detect their heartbeats or breathing?" Shinobu prepares to draw her sword
That's - I can't tell. There's nothing to sense there. Not the slightest...
"Now that I think about it, we haven't encountered any demons on the way here. There's blood but not a single culprit around..."
The only way to find out...is to reach the village
"Hmm...I still have a bad feeling about this"
As long as they're not Upper Moons, we can take them on without problem
"You sound confident when you haven't recovered your full strength"
As long as you can utilize it, then it's no problem. Sometimes it's about adjusting
"..."
Akane sounds confident, but Shinobu still worried they may encounter a demon too strong even for Akane to handle. So far, they haven't faced difficult opponents outside of other demons, but Shinobu isn't too lax to be so sure that they won't be taken by surprise.
Still...I have this familiar feeling that I can't shake off. It's like someone I know...
Unknown to Shinobu, Akane suspects of another presence. Uncertain of the main cause, Akane chooses to refrain informing Shinobu.
"...!" A sudden crash forces Shinobu to a sudden stop and jump back
Shinobu eyes the eeriely quiet and possibly lifeless village, only for her to be forced to stop in her tracks. Unlike a few minutes ago, an unknown object smashes to the ground about a few meters in front of them. Dirt and dust filled smoke conceals the object until it swipes the air with a sheathed sword.
"I know that smell. It's you, isn't it?" A raspy yet anxious voice softly asks
"And you are?" Shinobu quickly draws her sword
"Kazuto. That time...in the village. I started it all...and you ended it"
From a grown man to a young man, Kazuto surprisingly tosses his sword to the side, baffling both Shinobu and Akane. Shinobu briefly lowers her sword, but shakes her head and regains her defensive stance knowing very well the one in front of them is a demon.
"I've been looking for you all this time. That's why I've been following Hirokuma's tracks...because I know what he did to you"
(Who and what is he talking about?)
Hmm...
Shinobu whispers to herself, unsure whether Kazuto is referring to her or possibly Akane. The latter herself grunts in response instead, mildly hostile at a demon she has little connection.
Him again...
"You know him?"
I've met him a lot and he somehow finds me most of the time. He kept babbling about something
"So he's after you. Then you talk to him"
You're going to let me talk? This is the first...
"He threw his sword away. I want to know what's going on with him"
Fine. I hate him, but it's fine
During their short conversation, Kazuto tilts his head since in his perspective, Shinobu is turns to the side and begins speaking to no one but herself. She might as well be talking to the air. Shinobu withdraws her sword and returns it to her scabbard, her hostile expression changing to a familiar irritated and unfriendly expression.
"Kazuto, you again? How do you keep finding me and showing up in the worst time?" Akane clicks her tongue
"Why don't you ever believe what I say? More than two hundred years ago, you were...at our village..."
"Our village? I don't know who the hell you are, but I remember having an old man. He might be a decent person since I never resented him" Akane scoffs
"I'm the one who started it and you're the one who finished it"
"I have no time for you. I'm after Hirokuma for some payback!" Akane grits her teeth
"You don't remember...or is it because Hirokuma confused your memories so you can never know which is real and which is not"
"What are you trying to say?"
"Yami-san once told me how he found you tied like a dog and made you go through something sickening. After he adopted you, you would always bite your own arms or scratch yourself whenever you eat"
"...!"
An unknown shock causes Akane to start moving backward, almost stumbling down at the first step. The unwelcomed feeling darkens her sight as if she's rejecting the claims of someone she despises for no apparent reason. Akane shakes her head and unable to immediately respond.
"It was you who told me how when your parents became monsters, they were the ones who..."
(What's this nauseas feeling? My stomach...my throat. Something feels so disgusting)
Akane covers her mouth, unable to respond to Kazuto's claims due to the sickening sensation in her stomach that almost makes her vomit at the thought of his words. It terrified her then it slightly angered her after Kazuto triggered unnecessary emotions within her.
I...I don't want to...
Why'd you rip his guts out...
What happened...to you two ...?
T-this...this isn't torture...
That's right. That's right...
She then covers her ears after unknown thoughts flow to her and the noise overwhelmed her. Her memory may not remember Kazuto's "claims", but her body trembles at the most unpleasant memory she is forced to experience.
"It was my father who killed your father...and fed it to animals. That same night...you killed the rest after you became a demon"
"I remembered killing people in that village...but I didn't regret it. I don't know why, and I don't care"
"Akane..."
"Let me ask you something. Are you going to be in my way? I won't kill you if you're just going to annoy me"
"I'm not your enemy because it's Hirokuma who instilled on how it's better to lavish in the agony of others than your own"
"Then get out of my way. I'm only after Hirokuma" Akane begins walking towards Kazuto
After deeming him as nothing but a simply irritating person who does nothing but claims baseless events and rant on how she doesn't remember anything, Akane casually walks past him with little guard raised.
"I know where he is tonight. He's in the mountain near Mushigo village. With your speed, you might still catch up to him. I heard demon slayers will be raiding that base of his"w
"...!"
Before Akane can think of leaping out of the scene rather than continue walking away, Kazuto wastes no time in revealing the whereabouts and current status of her primary target, much to her genuine surprise. Akane turns to face Kazuto, whose lips shakes and eyes in deep sorrow.
"Why tell me all of this?"
"After he's dead, then we can settle what happened at our village"
"I don't care about my past..." Akane turns away
"It's because of that Pillar?"
"This former Pillar is only important because I have yet to regain my original body. I have no complicated goals like the others, but I haven't given up on enjoying every step of the way. I don't care how the future turns out as long as I can feel myself alive. I suppose I just go distracted because Shinobu is amusing me" Akane chuckles
"Is that so..."
"Also, I don't know about what you said, but I'm willing to take my chances. You...never lie. An idiot like you never lies..."
Before Kazuto can leave another message to her, Akane loses her interest since her current focus is Hirokuma who is mostly likely at the information Kazuto shared. She has little reason to trust Kazuto but reluctantly chooses to at the sight of her pathetic sadness and gamble for the slightest chance of hope.
It's far, but we might reach him before the prime hour of the night
"Even if we reach him in time, how are we going to fight him? We don't even have a clear plan yet" Shinobu leaps from one tree to another
Would let him slip by this possible chance?
"No, but we're going to charge recklessly!"
We finally have the chance...but we're going in blindly
"Don't you have a strong technique or something?"
I haven't even recovered more than half of my original strength. My Blood Demon Art isn't going to be much of use against his level
"This is getting nowhere..."
Thanks to that man's blood, the disease he can spread to other demons can return to him...along with their techniques
They're close to their goal, but the lack of a clear plan on how to defeat someone whose abilities remain mostly unknown to them. Even Akane isn't sure since she knows Hirokuma doesn't actively seek out fights unless it piques his curiosity.
"Your poison Blood Demon Art can't really kill demons and only harm them while my shadows are barely useful"
Within their shared thoughts, Akane plops down to the perfectly flat black void like the rest of their surroundings while Shinobu is gritting her teeth in frustration with the lack of options and Akane possibly losing hope.
"Can't we adjust our techniques to each other? We're merged together, so it should be like that, right?" Shinobu refuses to give up
"What do you mean?" Akane crosses her arms
"At the very least, we need to learn how to adjust our strength with each other"
"I'm not good at cooperating, specially in this state. I don't even know how to utilize it with the way we are now"
In reality, Shinobu gracefully lands to a ground and comes to a stop again, since an initial problem arises. Their goal is literally in the mountains protected by a thick forest below, but it would be pointless if they can't solve their issue since the beginning.
"We're not compatible fighting together since we've only been switching from the beginning. We never bother to compensate for that weakness..." Akane scratches her head
"I need your strength in this one. Work with me, Akane. This is for both of us"
"..."
"You said it was possible for you to lend your Breathing techniques before"
Shinobu angrily marches closer to Akane who continues to be weighed down by lack of hope. In fact, it doesn't look like she's even trying in their current situation despite the importance of the result.
"Like I said, my Blood Demon Art is barely offensive. Your poison and my shadows might now mix well. It's...incompatible" Akane shakes her head
"Then we need to at least try sync our strength. You're saying it might now mixed well when we're literally mixed!" Shinobu reminds her
"You're saying to mix both of our blood further. It's true that in a way, you can see me more clearly now...but that's a different matter. Your body might not react well if you freely allow me to flow to you"
"There's a risk, isn't it?"
"I'm not certain of the full risks, but you're mind might either explode or you might bleed if you allow me to have further grip on you"
"Demons can't kill other demons. Death isn't an issue for both of us" Shinobu softly sighs
"Even though there's a risk that the dominant ego will be me. I might unintentionally set you aside and possibly occupy you"
"..." Shinobu frowns
"Don't tell me you're willing to trust me...after the whole incident with the Pillar...who you have deep feelings with"
Akane stands back up while she reflexively sweeps her rear and the edge of her kimono even when there isn't a speck of dust in their shared consciousness.
"For this night, are you willing to swallow my power...of will I swallow you first?"
"Beasts can't swallow poisonous prey...and I just happen to be extremely toxic for demons" Shinobu
"Hirokuma must have made me ingest natural poison to temporarily suppress that, huh..." Akane mutters to herself
"Akane"
"Shinobu, for this to be possible, it would mean you have to lean more on your demon blood. That means you will have to allow my cells to mingle with your cells. We might reject each other, but that's your choice" Akane further reminds her of the risk
"Let's see what happens if I dip a bit of my poisonous Blood Demon Art to your ever stretching shadows" Shinobu reaches out to Akane
"All for the sake of ripping Hirokuma's head off, huh. This is risky, but I have no right to complain. I'm not going to be the one who's fighting after all. Although I'm curious to how much of my strength will recover by removing a bit of restraint"
Reluctantly and rather surprising, Akane gives in to Shinobu's desire and willingly accepts her hand for the sake of their mutual goal. For Shinobu to have more chances of victory against Hirokuma, Shinobu will have to be more of a demon than a human for the night...even if that means risking lowering her control over the "suppressed" Akane.
"I have to reach there in time. I can feel it...through Akane's technique that the demon slayer have reached the mountain"
Shinobu's breath briefly grows heavy and her muscles stiffening, but she rejects the current and trivial burden over the more important goal in front of her.
"I'm feeling a bit hot in the inside...and Akane went completely silent all of a sudden"
For the first time, Shinobu expresses genuine concern over the demon's well-being after sensing the complete silence within her thoughts. Usually, Akane would comment a word or two, but it's completely empty as of the moment. As for the demon herself, she's lying in shallow water, weakly groaning in pain.
"I feel like I've been crushed by a boulder and thrown into a boiling pot. No, this burning feeling is this water. Is this... Shinobu's poison? Maybe this is her Blood Demon Art pushing me away...now that my cells are going with hers" Akane mutters to herself
A deep red sky that can't even be called a sky with the zero presence of any clouds, stars, or even the moon. It's merely a red blanket spreading all directions while her weakened body continues to lie down in pain.
"This isn't that kind of poison. I can feel the poison she always had with her suppressed but annoying me. It feels like I'm talking a hot bath..." Akane weakly chuckles
"..." A voice faintly whispers
"Who's...there...?" Akane weakly turns her head
"Oh, it's you. What a bad timing...to show up..."
Akane ignores the ghostly figure faintly calling to her and possibly attempting to interact with her. Right now, she can faintly sense her body sinking into the shallow water for an unknown reason, but the heat isn't completely painful for her. In fact, she's too weak to complain right now and closes her eyes, accepting her current fate.
"I think that person...just suggested..."
Before Akane can finish her sentence, her consciousness complete fades in the spot and she faints while her body remains drenched in the shallow water giving her a prickling sensation yet with enough heat to rob her of her strength.
"What's this? I'm trying to understand more of Akane's technique...but I don't feel so good all of a sudden..."
Shinobu tries to shake off the pain, but her body trembles from an unknown change, mostly likely the risk Akane repeatedly warns her not too long ago. There's no way to learn the true cause with the demon herself completely silent and unconscious, making her the suppressed one rather than Shinobu.
"I've tried to draw more out of this demon blood...but the shadows are returning to me? I can't feel Akane...so what's going on?"
Shinobu fights off the force slowing her down and each attempt to break free causes more of the shadows to return to source, to her, and even latching.
"I can't let this slow me down. I won't allow Hirokuma to escape tonight"
The goal overwhelms her current burden, having her anger building up heat at the thought of the meddling demon who is the one fully responsible for her current state as a demon. Shinobu carries herself even when the shadows are being absorbed to her skin. Surprisingly enough, rather than exhaust or slow her down, her body actually feels lighter as the liquid-like darkness crawls to her skin as if it's sensing her body.
"What's with this feeling I can't understand? I'm back to normal now...but I feel different..."
The more Shinobu moves, the more Akane's Blood Demon Art all retreat to her even if the demon isn't actively commanding it.
Blood Demon Art: Engulfing Delusion
In a spark of a moment and a mere second, Shinobu manages to feel through the shadows itself like drifting in what seems to be ink-like substance and faintly hears Akane's voice. She searched for the demon, but only a dark sea stained the deceptive colors of her poison mixed into the ink like water and oil.
"This is - I've become..."
Even without Akane returning to explain it, Shinobu realizes that the more she attempts to separate the ink from her, the more she pours her own technique in it as well.
"...Akane"
The demon herself is mysteriously missing and ominously silent...only for Shinobu to bear Akane's full appearance, even perfectly mimicking her voice.
"My clothes and physique even changed, huh ..."
Shinobu analyzed her slightly smaller body and the white kimono with the distinct pattern. Even her hair has turned completely snow white and her eyes has shifted to a calmer dark greyish color like steel who lost its shine.
"Kanao. These shadows - I can sense Kanao"
After reaching the foot of the mountain, Shinobu's borrowed Blood Demon Art senses Kanao further up into the mountains, contently moving but remaining in one area which means she's currently locked into a battle.
"Is this the reason Akane isn't here...because I've become her? I don't know about this technique, but if I keep standing here, my target might escape" Shinobu angrily shakes her head
The demon slayers occupied with Hirokuma's minions aren't the least of her problem right now, only Hirokuma whom she needs to focus while Kanao is managing the cannon fodders even after the Flame Pillar leaves the rest of the group, heading deeper into the mountains.
Shinobu undoes the technique, revealing that she is indeed Kochou Shinobu in front of Kanao, who is almost at the verge of tears. The shadows melted and retreat back to the ground dispersing almost immediately.
"M...master, it's really you..."
"I'm sorry for hurting you before. If it wasn't for Tomioka-san, I could have killed you" Shinobu lowers her head
"All I care now is seeing you still as yourself. I...I don't care if you're a demon..."
"You're a good girl, Kanao. I'm sure you're taking good care of everyone back in the estate"
To see Kanao being open to herself and to Shinobu feels what could be a bit of sense of pride. She stretches out her hand and gently pets Kanao in the head, warmly smiling at her tsuguko who dearly misses after being presumed dead for so long.
"Are you two done with your reunion? You actually got the nerve to ignore me and have a chat" Hirokuma massages his neck
"Leave this one to me, Kanao. I have unfinished business with him" Shinobu raises her sword once more
"I want to help. If he's the one who made you like this then..."
"Don't get yourself involved. This is between him and me"
"But..."
"It's alright. I'm not the Pillar I was once. Just to kill him, I'll fight as a demon"
"N-no. If I let you be again...you'll be gone again. Master, you're just going to leave without saying anything, right?"
Kanao strongly protests, fearing either Shinobu might either lose her life again or disappear before they can discuss about everything that happened.
"That's enough free time. We got unfinished business, remember?"
Hirokuma leaps right to Shinobu, pushing her whole body charging with his forearm right in the front. For so long, Shinobu has been facing average demons at best, and now she faces an enemy who is far more experienced than her. Akane is still completely silent, much to Shinobu's chagrin. The most crucial time she needs her to talk or even act and the demon herself is nowhere to be found.
"If the corners Pillar is fighting, then little Akane isn't there, right? In this kind of fight, your demon partner is the most useful, yes?" Hirokuma chuckles
"Enough babbling. I'm here for payback" Shinobu digs her heels to the ground and stops the charge
Shinobu furiously swings her sword, but Hirokuma reacts quick enough that her attempt only leave a shallow cut on his forearm. To her disgust, he even licks the small amount of blood dripping as the cut closes in mere seconds.
"You turned me into a demon when I'm at death's door. This very cursed being...that took away my family!" Shinobu couldn't restrain her anger any longer
"You fought in a different way because you were the physically weakest Pillar. You got the strength you long desire, so why complain? Besides, you've been improving and adapting to your new lifestyle! You should be rejoicing!"
"Re...joicing? After reading me apart and fusing demon's flesh with me...and you say I should be thankful? I'll cut out your tongue then your head!"
"My, what a feisty one~"
Hirokuma towers over Shinobu or even a full grown man, but his movements are both nimble and agile that even someone like Shinobu is being overwhelmed in her primary advantage. It doesn't appear he is using or wielding any form of Blood Demon Art to evade her quickest swings that would instantly decapitate average demons faster than they could let out a single word.
"You left me in this cursed form, forced to suppress my own hunger - guah" Shinobu almost loses her balance as her legs tremble
"Hahahaha! You're hunger is slowly getting to you. It's because you're using more of the demon strength, letting it dominate your humanity" Hirokuma wags his finger
(Why now?! My body feels so weak...and I'm trembling. I couldn't straight. How am I supposed to fight properly?) Shinobu clenches her fists
"You've held out this long, well not long for a demon. I suppose it's because that brat isn't here to support you tonight!"
Hirokuma shatters the ground with a single step and appears right beside Shinobu in a burst of speed due to his well built body despite his size towering regular humans. He spins and strikes Shinobu right to her shoulder after she attempts to block him in a split second.
(Damn it! I've been working with Akane in both fighting and surviving because it's her blood and flesh that turned me into a demon) Shinobu couldn't openly admit it
"You're like a newborn demon who think they can just take on anything. Unfortunately, you bear your fangs at the wrong person"
"...!"
Again with his unusual speed, Hirokuma is already right behind Shinobu and manages to tightly grip her right arm. He proceeds to throw her behind him like disposing trash nonchalantly. In his eyes, Shinobu is no threat since she's only been a demon for months and has yet accumulate centuries worth of strength and experience.
"Why do you play this sick games? You turned other demon slayers into demons like me? You made them into monstrosities while they are helpless to stop themselves. I had to cut down former allies because of you!" Shinobu pushes herself up again
"What I seek is progress. When you're at the top, you can't go any further. That's why I chose those who are at the bottom - humans like you! I just happened to stumble on the weakest Pillar. It's ironic how a demon who showed potential was downgraded by merging with you"
"Huh..." Shinobu tightly clenches her sword
"I'm quite surprised you survived this far. No, I'm more surprised you were able to adjust to little Akane's blood. Is she cooperating with you? That can't be right. That girl only seeks battle since it's the only thing giving her such a rush and making her look forward to what's ahead"
"We both agreed we hated you and want to kill you. Unfortunately for you, you merged me with a demon who's still sane"
"It doesn't really matter. You two are one of the many pawns out there. I still have to people to cure may it be humans or demons. Everyone is suffering and intend to mend that-"
Shinobu leaps forward and aims at the vulnerable neck without the slightest form of defense. Hirokuma rolls his eyes as soon as he notices the instant disappearance from her spot and casually turns his body to the left right before grabbing Shinobu's left arm. He spins about twice before tossing the rogue demon into the trees, breaking four trees at once from the sheer physical force alone.
"Everyone is suffering emotionally, physically, mentally, etc. It's because of my former life that I'm obliged to mend that problem. It's true that I can be a little mad when if comes to curiosity, but a hundred bodies is a smaller price to pay for the the thousands I might save. Isn't that how we all make progress? We kept trying and trying different methods until we hit the right one"
"What kind of sick fantasy you have this time?" Shinobu coughs after having her arm and skull crushed from his physical strength alone
Thankfully enough, her sword is still in perfect shape after blankly swinging it in the air, except for the dents and small cracks from previous battles. Her mild injuries have repaired themselves in an incredible rate.
"Surely there must be a method to prevent everyone from experiencing pain. As a demon, it can't be solved. Sure your wounds may heal but everyone still experience pain and the sensation of it leaves a mental scar from time to time. If I could save myself, then I could save others"
"What's that supposed to mean?" Shinobu returns to the battlefield
"I don't care about immortality, but I wish to rid myself of any form of pain. I tried and tried mending this empty spot in my heart, but it remained hollow and cold since the beginning. What does it mean to have a heart? I tried to fix young Akane back then, but a broken mind cannot be healed. I thought I could reverse it...but humans break too easily. Her joy only lies in either bloodshed or the struggle of others"
"What shallow reason you have. All you want is to rid yourself of emotions, that's all" Shinobu grits her teeth
"You haven't seen what I had to go through. People begged me to save them before, desperately crying to live without the suffering. One day, a woman came to me feeling I'll. I thought she just ate poisonous food, but when she died I learned it was her husband. I desperately tried to save lives while others doesn't even bat an eye killing others. I mean if your riust going to kill them, save them from the suffering at least! Or stop living altogether-!"
"You talked long enough"
Hirokuma's left arm instantly falls to the ground, leaving the rest to water the soil with his tainted blood, but he blankly stares at both his disintegrating arm and dripping blood. Rather than be furious at how Shinobu interrupts him by failing to land a fatal blow right to his neck, Hirokuma lets out a visibly exhausted sigh.
"I went kind of mad trying to distract myself, forgetting that I kept asking what I want to do next? If you don't know, Akane doesn't really care about humans or demons. In her eyes, whoever the end will favor is no matter. That child is only here to enjoy the moment even if what lies in front of her is certain. Do you understand that?" Hirokuma raises his left arm and allows a new one to almost instantly reform in perfect shape
"It's true that I tolerated Akane and somewhat trusted her, but seeing a bit of her old life reminded me she is still a demon who only worries for her survival"
"Even if that child - nevermind. What matters right now is you rather than her? You're drawing more out of Akane's power even if it risks letting your demon instincts cause you to rampage"
"I won't let you hurt Kanao. Even if I give up my humanity, so long as my forner comrades are safe from demons"
"That Water Pillar too, right? It's obvious you held him dear in your heart, otherwise you wouldn't have escaped back then. You're different from that child...who allowed herself to lose everything go lighten her burden"
"Master!" Kanao runs to the scene
Kanao manages to locate where Hirokuma dragged Shinobu away, stumbling upon the two hostile yet having a conversation about their present and future goals.
"Kanao, you shouldn't be-"
"Blood Demon Art: Bone's Embrace" Hirokuma used the opportunity to finally unleash a technique
"Master, look out!" Kanao runs to her in panic
Hirokuma's skin appears to calcify, but disfigured bones wrap around his torso down to his hips, creating a fortified armor made entirely of bones. He loses his human-shaped head and replaces it entirely with a cow skull. His body isn't only fortified by a bone armor, but muscle tissues appears to serve some sort of tape to some sections of his body, most noticably his skull. It steams from a light link color to a maroon one, hardening like cooked flesh.
"Which do you value, little butterfly?"
Sharp edges bones protruded from his back as soon as he charges at full speed towards the two. Their distracted moment proves to the be the best chance ego catch them off guard on what Blood Demon Art he is going to use.
"Kanao, don't!"
In the last second, Shinobu grabs Kanao's collar and tosses her to the side as far as possible. What could have been fatal Kanao has now become a serious injury to Shinobu.
"...!"
He comes his fingers and straightens his hand, using it as a makeshift spear and skewring right to Shinobu's flesh and causing her to drop her sword in the process. Hirokuma raises the weekly struggling Pillar above his and protrudes sharp bones from the inside of her body piercing right through her skin.
"Ggg...aaahhhh..."
"I thought I'd see more after using Akane's technique I've never seen before, but it seems you came here in a haste. I'm guessing you didn't have time to comprehend the nature of that technique?"
Hirokuma smashes Shinobu right to the ground while she profusely bleeds from the several holes he punctured all over her body, specially the gaping hole in her chest.
"Blood Demon Art: Plaguing Enigma"
The next technique has him pressing his hand right above the visible skewered hole in her chest and gently whispering his attack.
"...!"
Shinobu violently coughs up blood, but no voice escapes her lips. Not only her regeneration greatly slows down but the technique amplified the excruciating physical pain and even adds a burning sensation from the fresh and open wounds.
"It's not easy to use one technique to another, but I have to take you a bit more seriously. That's why I'm going to leave your tsuguko's dead body instead"
"Don't you dare..." Shinobu coughs out more blood
"It's like your strength left your body in instant while we were talking earlier. I knew it. Most of your strength stems from Akane and without her cooperation, you won't stand a chance against me"
"I won't let you!" Kanao stands right back up and regains her composure
As soon as Kanao's swings bounces right off the gap in the armor right in the armor, Hirokuma grabs her right by the neck and lifts her a few meters off the ground for Shinobu to see.
"Breath of Flames..."
"I forgot-" Hirokuma is alerted at the presence above
Ever burning flames instantly severs his seemingly impenetrable exterior and shatters the rest of his armor with a full slash right to his chest, forcing him to drop Kanao and jump as far as away from the Pilllar. He manages to evade a fatal blow, but his chest is nearly split in half and it almost reaches his neck. For the first time in a while, he breaks in a cold sweat of fear for his life, but he chuckles seeing the Flame Pillar swing his sword.
"You left so many ones in your workshop. They're so annoying that they won't die until you minced them, but I cut them all down in time" Kyoujurou Rengoku proudly tells him
"A Pillar, huh. It seems I have to cut this little rough play short"
Kyoujurou may be the only Pillar present, but one skilled swordsman alone is enough to silently inform him that he wouldn't stand a chance in a direct fight against a Pillar. Someone like him relies on researching his opponents and making one preparation to another.
"You won't get away, demon. You've toyed with the dead for too long!" Kyoujurou pulls his sword back
"Maybe next time, Flame Pillar" Hirokuma focuses his healing on the wide open wound on his chest
Unleashing the first form of his technique, the Flame Pillar dashes forward leaving a trail of flames in his wake as he aims towards the demon's vulnerable neck. His sword manages to land and even connect to the end of the flesh, but Kyoujurou senses something is amiss so he takes one single jump back.
"He managed to get away..."
The head rolls down to the ground, but there isn't a single drop of blood or life in his eyes. Hirokuma slips away from what could be another extension resembling the true one, almost mimicking his own presence and abilities.
"Rengoku...san" Shinobu catches her breath
"Hey, it's been a while, Shinobu. Don't worry, I'm not here to kill you or anything" Kyoujurou sheathes his blade and raises his hand, early greeting Shinobu
"Master!"
Kanao immediately rushes to her and, assisting her in standing up while the punctured wounds and gaping hole regenerate on their own after Hirokuma cancels his technique slowing her healing down and even paralyzing her in pain.
"It's a shame Giyuu isn't here. He won't stop thinking about meeting you again. Man, if only he's a bit more honest" Kyoujurou wholeheartedly laughs
"I have to go after him. It's not done..." Shinobu grunts
"Forget it. You're not in the condition"
"This isnjust the effect of having not eat a single human. Back then, the demon possessing me use my body to do as she pleases and - To think I'd have to learn that most of my strength is coming from her..."
"I don't really understand, but I'm glad you're still sane after not eating people" Kyoujurou crosses his arms
"I really didn't want anyone to see me like this. I tried to fight like a demon just to kill him... but I'm still afraid of giving up my humanity"
"There's nothing to be ashamed of. You should be proud you resisted your own demon nature and remained the Kochou we all know" Kyoujurou grins
"Kanao..." Shinobu turns to face her
"I'm glad...that I didn't lose you again. I wouldn't be able to hear with the guilt again" Kanao bites her lips, restraining her tears
"It must be hard...having weighing unnecessary guilt even if no one blames you"
Shinobu manages to retain more of strength after her sounds have fully regenerated. Even if the side effect of Hirokuma's Blood Demon Art remains, Shinobu's focus is having to face and speak with Kanao without worrying for her safety of having to unintentionally harm her again. Kanao lowers her head after receiving comforting headpats from Shinobu, who at least finds solace after struggling with her demon nature for so long.
"After you died, I did what I can to protect everyone in the estate. It wasn't easy...because I couldn't stop feeling guilty. I could have saved you, but I failed!" Kanao lets out the guilt crushing her heart
"You might have died or suffered my fate. This is for the best..."
"Still, in that state..."
"Even if I'm a demon now, I'm glad I could speak to you like this"
"Please go home with us. Aoi and the girls wanted to see you when I told them you were alive" Kanao clutches Shinobu's haori
"I will return to everyone, but it will take a while. I still have to get revenge on that filthy demon and separate myself from another demon" Shinobu gently assures
"But..."
"It's alright, Kanao. Shinobu may feel that as a demon, it's best to be away from humans even if we're demon slayers" Kyoujurou pats her in the back
"What Rengoku-san said is right. I'm still in control, but I can't risk hurting you or everyone else. I am still a demon even if I'm suppressing my own hunger and bloodlust"
"What about...Giyuu-san..." Kanao lowers her head
"I'll come back for him too. There's a lot I haven't said to him and a lot I wanted to say"
Shinobu recalls the brief reunion she has with Giyuu during the whole event in the red light district. She has no choice but to leave without saying much about why she chose to remain dead for months and even hide her identity while her revenge is still underway.
"I'm sorry, Kanao..."
"Master?"
"Blood Demon Art: Lavender Serpentine Coil"
Shinobu gently places two fingers on each of Kanao's temple and doesn't hesitate in using a Blood Demon Art on her. Kanao let out a brief and weak incoherent sound as soon as her consciousness surrenders to sleep with little resistance. Shinobu catches the peacefully asleep Kanao, having used a sedative effect of her Blood Demon Art. It's usually fatal for demon slayers, but it doesn't take Shinobu a long time to learn how to control the lethality of her own technique.
"You're going to leave again?" Kyoujurou sighs
"It can't be helped. I have to go after Hirokuma even if I'm not your enemy"
Shinobu carefully places Kanao's body down to a tree, letting her back lean while she continues to be in her deepest sleep. That kind of technique will wear off in an hour or two since Shinobu will leave after a brief conversation with the Flame Pillar.
"We can help you. You don't have to do this by yourself"
"I can't show myself to the others as a demon, but if I were to lose myself...please put me down without hesitation. I'm afraid Tomioka-san might hesitate if that time comes ..."
"I'll do what I can" Kyoujurou respects her wish
"Rengoku-san said, can you pass a message to Tomioka-san for me?"
"Sure!"
Thankfully for Shinobu, the Pillar she encountered tonight is Rengoku Kyoujurou rather than someone violent and ill-tempered Sanemi. The Pillars are told not to see Shinobu as an enemy, but there's a chance she might get into a short scuffle if she were to encounter the Wind Pillar.
"Thank you for looking out for Tomioka-san. That person is so helpless since he doesn't know how to make friends" Shinobu chuckles
"Hahahaha! He's lucky I'm his best friend, so you have nothing to worry about. As long as I'm with him, he's going to be completely fine. If I have time, I'll go by your estate and check on your tsuguko" Kyoujurou gives a thumbs up
"I'll be going now. I need to recover my strength since I'm weaker without the demon fused with me supporting"
Shinobu gently bows, grateful of Kyoujurou's compassion. She then gently pets the still unconscious Kanao, lamenting she has to leave her tusiguko that she treats as her adoptive younger sister. As long as she is in good health, then it makes enduring being a demon all worth the effort. Shinobu leaves a thankful yet sorrowful smile a moment right before she disappears from Rengoku Kyoujurou, who respects her choice in being alone.
Chapter 22:
After the recent event, Akane returns and becomes honest when confronted by Shinobu about her true goal and motivation. Tanjiro's group meets Tamayo again after learning of Shinobu hunting more demons and learns of her circumstances.