Chapter 2
The castle appeared from out of nowhere. They were all falling.
He looks up and just across from him he sees Shinobu-san.
They lock eyes and nod at each other little before they both vanish in the depths of it.
There's also the fact that he needs to reach and kill Muzan quickly. Tamayo-san is in danger, holding him off.
He is falling until a hand grabs him. He looks up. Giyuu is there, ready to pull him up.
"Throw me across to the opposite side!" he calls, "I need to get to Shinobu-san first!"
The Water Pillar nods and swings Tanjirou across the gap.
He crashes through a door.
"Be careful! I'll catch up with you later! So don't die!" Tanjirou calls back, as he takes off, letting his nose lead him to Shinobu.
"You, too!" he hears Giyuu call back.
'Where is she? Where? I told her I'll be there! I can't – I won't fail Shinobu-san! No matter what!' he thought running through the corridors towards her faint scent, 'I am your second sword. So, Shinobu-san…wait for me…!'
His nose twitched.
'I smell blood! Shinobu-san!' he thought, 'Where…?' he looks around quickly, 'Here!'
He opened a door just in time to see Shinobu stab a demon in the neck with enough force to pin him up to the ceiling.
'Dance of the Fire God; Waltz Flash!' he used the enhanced first form to reach Shinobu fast.
"Shinobu-san! Your second sword is here." he said, catching her with one arm, "Now's your chance."
Shinobu wrapped both her hands around Tanjirou's sword hilt, letting her sword fall down, and letting Tanjirou manipulate their trajectory.
'Dance of the Fire God; Blue Heaven!'
Tanjirou spins them vertically in the air, creating a fire wheel, the sword cutting through the neck of the demon, just as Kanao enters the room.
The head fell down first.
Tanjirou wrapped his arms around Shinobu tightly, shielding her from the fall.
"Master! Tanjirou!" Kanao called out coming up to them.
"Ah, sorry, Kanao! I messed up the plan!" Tanjirou laughed, sheepishly, "Shinobu-san. You can rest now. Your injuries are bad. Focus your breathing on healing yourself as much as possible right now." he smiled at the Insect Pillar in his arms.
Shinobu chuckled softly.
"Who's the Pillar between the two of us?" she whispered.
"Shinobu-san, of course. That's why I am looking after you. So. Focus your breathing in healing yourself. I'm going to carry you until we can find a place safe enough for Kanao to protect you. I have to find and kill Muzan."
She smiled and patted his cheek.
Just as they get out of the room, something crashes in.
All three turn to look and blink in surprise as Inosuke appears from the dust.
He looks around him, then noticed the trio at the door.
"Where's the demon?" he asked.
"Shinobu-san beat it." Tanjirou said, pointing to the ashes, "But she got a bit hurt. We're looking for somewhere relatively safe for her to rest."
Shinobu pinched his cheek.
"Don't lie." she told him.
"It was your hand on the sword, Shinobu-san." he replied, "And stop talking. You need to preserve energy!"
She sighed, in a exaggerated manner and let herself be nestled against Tanjirou's chest.
Tanjirou stared at the woman in his arms with awe, as her scent changed into something sweet and warm and calm and kind, his hold on her automatically tightening ever so slightly. He smiled softly at her.
They stumble on Yushirou, Murata and Zenitsu on their way.
"Yushirou!" Tanjirou beamed, "And Murata-san! And Zenitsu!"
"What are you doing here?" Yushirou demanded, "Tamayo-sama is in danger!"
"I am on my way. But this is perfect. Can you treat Shinobu-san, too?" the teen smiled, "Kanao, Inosuke, please help Murata-san in guarding Zenitsu, Shinobu-san and Yushirou." he bowed, gently passing Shinobu to Kanao, "I have to help Tamayo-san and kill Muzan."
And with that he was off.
Notes: Did I finish him off too easily? Yes. Yes, I did. Do I care? Not really. Douma doesn't deserve shit for the pain he put Shinobu through and I am only sorry I had to sacrifice Inosuke finding out about his mother.