The very next day, both Totiko and Ogimoto groups met up with the rest of the Alliance.
"I'm telling you guys! Sectonia and I found a demon in our house!" Inosuke said.
"I see. Did you manage to get a look at it, maybe get an idea on what their power was?" Mark asked.
"Not really. It was getting away from us pretty quickly. But it had to have come from somewhere." Sectonia said.
"At least we know there's a demon prowling around here." Hope said. "Still, I'm worried about Zenitsu and Gemini. They were posted in Kyogoku house. People around say that the house's Madam was killed by accident one night. But it can't be an accident. Anyone else think that she was killed by the demon we're looking for?"
"It is possible." Yuzuriha said before perking her head up. "Hello Uzui."
The group saw Tengen standing there.
"Where'd he come from?!" Bow asked in shock.
"Tengen, where are Zenitsu and Gemini? They're not… dead, are they?" Glimmer asked.
"They've gone missing. I regret involving you all in this mission, I was more focused on finding my wives that it led to your friends going missing." Uzui said. "I don't think it would be best for you all to be here, the Upper Rank Demon may be too much to handle."
"And abandon our comrades? Are you listening to yourself?" David asked.
"There is no shame in abandoning the mission." Uzui said before vanishing.
"Well, we can't. Not when two of our own are at the demon's mercy. Upper Moon or not, I'm going in." David said.
"You got that right." Ace said. "Hmm, the Demon might be traveling through a hidden passageway between the three houses."
"A secret passageway? Hmm… Yeah, that might be possible." David said. "Inosuke, Sectonia, you two said you found something suspicious at your house, right? Why don't you go check it out?"
"We'll do it tonight. Since the demon is more likely to have free reign." Tanjiro said.
"Roger that." Sectonia said.
"Alright, everyone get set up and we'll meet at Ogimoto House at sundown." Hope said. "This'll be our first real battle with an Upper Moon Demon. And based on what you guys saw with Akaza, we'll definitely be in for a whole new fight."
"Y'all know we'll be walking right into the fire on this one, right?" DW typed.
"Yeah, but I'm not worried." David said.
"Yup, we're used to this kind of danger." Ace added.
The night soon came as they prepared to hunt down the demon, Spade however, as he was preparing on his own, a sort of feeling overcame him.
"This is…!" Spade said before seeing a silhouette on top of a building before they streaked away in a dark green light. "So it is you I have to lay to rest next then, very well."
As Spade did that, everyone else prepared for their hunt for the demon.
"So…we must come clean." Tanjiro said as he, David and Mark approached the house Oiran.
"Yeah. I feel bad about lying to you, but we must tell you. We…are men!" David said.
"Yes, I know." she said.
"Wait… Y-you knew all this time?" David asked. "Why didn't you say anything?"
"We all thought you were following some hidden dream or something. Honestly, you three would never pass as real women." she said.
"Was it really that obvious?" David asked, sweatdropping.
"Well, not everything we said were lies." Mark said. "We are worried about Suma, and we're going to rescue her, and the others that have gone missing."
"Thank you, I think I needed to hear that." Koinatsu said. "Because you see, I'm actually leaving this district for good tomorrow. It seems there is someone who has truly fallen in love with someone like me, and that makes me happy. That could be why I've been worried about those I'm leaving behind. I wouldn't be able to do anything about it, even if I knew something was wrong."
"I am happy for you, madam. I'm glad you were able to find happiness." David said..
"We wish you the best of luck." Mark said as the three ran off. "Tanjiro, can you?"
"Yes. I can already smell a demon. It's…" Tanjiro as he stopped before backtracking to their house.
Over at The Ogimoto house, the heroes met up with Inosuke and Sectonia.
"Where the heck are they?" Frosta asked. "It's nightfall and they haven't shown up."
"Maybe something came up. We can't wait for them." Hope said.
"Like that wasn't obvious!" Inosuke said. "It's time to take action ourselves, with the spirit of battle comin through flowing in our hearts!" Inosuke then jumped up and smashed his head through the roof. "Time to come out, Mice! And bring me and Sectonia our swords!"
"Nin Nin!" said some muscular mice as they were bringing Inosuke's clothes, swords and mask as well as Sectonia's swords.
"Thanks. I'll be needing these." Sectonia said as the two claimed their weapons.
"All right! Now I'm ready to hunt some demons!" Inosuke said, fully dressed up in his usual attire.
"I'm with you. Let's go!" Sectonia said.
"Watch out! Cause I'm coming through!" Inosuke said as he led the charge.
Back with Tanjiro, David and Mark, the three had arrived back at Tokito House only to see Koinatsu being taken captive by the demon oiran as she was absorbing her into some obi.
"Oh…Demon slayers? How many of you are there? There are 5 I know of if you count that blond brat and that ugly red head. Is there a Hashira or are they on the way?" she asked.
"Doesn't matter. We're the best you're gonna get, lady." David said. "Normally, I'd take it down a notch against women, but since you're a demon…I guess it doesn't matter anyway."
The three of them checked the demon's eyes. Sure enough, the kanji in them said Upper Six.
"No doubt about it. She's an Upper Moon alright." David said.
"Before we get started, how's about you let Ms. Koinatsu go?" Mark asked, in a tone that suggested it wasn't a question.
"Don't make demands of me, you ugly pieces of trash!" she said as her obi hit the three and sent them crashing into the nearby house.
"Whoa. That is some power she's got. She's definitely stronger than the ones we're used to." David said.
"Well, it was worth a shot." Mark said as the three got up.
"But now we know how she kidnapped Tengen's wives, along with the other missing girls." Tanjiro said. "Her power is in her obi. She can absorb people into it. That's why even though we searched the house thoroughly, we couldn't find any secret paths a human could fit into."
"She really gave us the run around this time. Hope Sectonia's team is having better luck than we are." David said.
"Oh, are you three still alive?" the demoness asked. "You're tougher than I thought. And your eyes are so lovely I might just gouge them all out and gobble them up." she said as she licked her lips.
"Well, you're gonna have a hard time getting them." David said.
"Yeah, we'd rather keep those on us." Mark added before he noticed something. "Ah, Tanjiro! The box's strap…"
"Leave Nezuko to me. I'll keep her safe." David said.
"Thank you, David." Tanjiro said, setting the box down. "It's you and me Mark, let's go!"
"Right, you and me, water and light…" Mark said as the two jumped to receive the responding Upper moon.
"Water Breathing! 4th Form! Striking Tide! Turbulent!" Tanjiro said as he clashed with the obi sashes.
"Light Breathing! 3rd Form! Reflect and Refract!" Mark called out as he used the reflection of his sword's blade to create light beams to fire at the Upper Moon, forcing her to use some of her sashes to block the attacks.
Both of them battled against the demon's obi in midair, before Tanjiro was able to get a clean slice off of it as they all landed on the ground.
"Koinatsu is safe." Mark said, looking back with a sigh. "Though…this woman is no joke."
"Until everyone else can arrive…we'll have to fend for ourselves for now." Tanjiro said.
