In a Town in the Northwest…
.
As Tanjiro was bent over the ground, he began to sniff the ground. As he did a young man by the name of Kazuki was following Tanjiro as he began his sniffing journey. As Tanjiro said this, he began to remember what the Kasugaigarasu told him and his sister just a few days before they left for the town.
.
A few days prior…
.
"Caww!" The crow cawed grabbing everyone's attention. "Tanjiro and Nezuko Kamado. You are to head towards the town in the northwest. There are two demons at large. One who consumes young women, and the other is unknown."
"Unknown, do you not know what the demon eats?" Tanjiro asked, only to get a slight chuckle from the crow.
.
Not really understanding, both Nezuko and Tanjiro looked at each other with confusion written on their face before they decided to set off to the town.
.
Present Time…
.
Returning from his memories, Tanjiro began to stay on high alert since the sun had begun to set in the distance. But even when the sun had set, Tanjiro continued his investigation. Then after a good while of silence, Kazumi spoke up.
.
"Hey, we should stop and get some rest. We can do this tomorrow." Kazumi answered.
"No! Those things are active at night." Tanjiro replied back in a rush, as he continued to sniff around.
.
Confused as to why someone who looks like he doesn't believe him, is actually helping him. Kazumi was still grateful for his assistance.
.
At the other side of the town…
.
Looking around with intent, Nezuko touched walls, the ground on which she walked on, posters, and such to see the colors she was now able to see clearly due to Urokodaki's training. And as night had begun to set in, Nezuko began to sigh, as the sun disappeared without a trace.
.
"Not only is there one demon I have to keep an eye out for, but there's another demon who's pretty much a mystery." Nezuko sighed as she continued to walk. "And not only that, but I have to carry this empty box. I mean what is it even for?" Nezuko questioned to no one as she pulled against the straps of the light-weight box.
.
As she continued to walk, Nezuko looked around noticing the dark, black, red highlighted color stream beginning to thicken and act wild. As she noticed this, Nezuko began to run, until a pair of claws came out of nowhere from around the corner.
.
"Oh, crap!" Nezuko thought to herself as she jumped out of the way, just in time. "A demon!"
.
Out of the shadows, a horned demon crawled out and began muttering something to itself. Nezuko wasn't able to fully hear but she did hear was:
.
"Damn him. Damn him, damn him. DAMN THAT DEMON HUNTER!" The horned demon yelled after which he began rubbing his lower teeth against his upper teeth causing them to create a scratching sound. "He got in my way and killed my other halves!"
"This one is completely starved. This is just great." Nezuko thought to herself. "I hope Nii-chan is having a better time than I am having right now."
.
Back to Tanjiro…
.
Still sniffing around, Kazumi continued to follow the young demon slayer. Hearing Tanjiro finally sigh in defeat, Kazumi spoke up.
.
"Is something the matter?" Kazumi asked.
"You said that the girl you were with disappeared right next to you, correct?" Tanjiro asked.
"Yes, I was with Satoko when she disappeared last night. Why?" Kazumi answered confused as to why Tanjiro asked such a thing.
"It's because this creature doesn't have her scent. And since it's only been a day, it couldn't have grabbed another girl without the risk of being seen." Tanjiro answered.
"Creature? Scent? What are you talking about?" Kazumi asked becoming more and more worried.
"What I'm saying is that there is a chance that Satoko is alive." Tanjiro responded to Kazumi only for his expression to change suddenly. "Mr. Kazumi, get down!"
.
As Tanjiro yelled, Kazumi looked behind him to see two hand coming for him. Then seeing his life flash before his eyes, Kazumi thought this was his end, only to be brought back to reality by an ear-piercing scream.
As Kazumi looked in front of him, he noticed Tanjiro falling from the sky, while blood shot upwards, and the hands the nearly grabbed him suddenly fell towards the ground, after being sliced off.
.
"Water Breathing, 8th Form: Waterfall Basin!" Tanjiro thought to himself as he jumped in front of Kazumi while breathing. "I rushed the technique, so it must've been a shallow cut. Damn it." As the demon screamed, its arms regrew back within seconds, and it began to laugh.
"Who knew being struck by a Nichirin Blade would hurt so much." The demon continued to laugh. Then as the moon showed itself from behind the clouds, what Tanjiro saw shook him to his core.
.
Back to Nezuko…
.
Trying her best to make some distance so she can pull out her blade, Nezuko was practically face to face with a staved horned demon.
.
"This demon is completely starved. But that's impossible. Last I heard, there were women disappearing, so it must've been another demon." Nezuko thought to herself as the horned demon's onslaught continued.
"I have to surpass him and make this my territory. I have to beat that demon hunter!" The horned demon yelled as his eyes went from a normal dark red to a bright crimson red.
"This guy sure is persistent. But no matter…" Nezuko began to breath as she continued to back up. "Water Breathing: 4th Form…" As Nezuko began moving forward, she pulled out her blade. "Striking Tide!"
.
As Nezuko began to dance around the demon as she made consecutive slashes on the demon, causing it to bleed profusely.
.
"I did. I can do this!" Nezuko exclaimed to herself with joy. "Now then, are you the one who's abducting young women in this area?!" Nezuko asked as she pointed her blade to the demon, who at this point was trying to force his limbs to regrow.
"Damn him…damn…him…That demon hunter goes in and steals my kill which I've worked hard for. And he goes and stabs me with that blade! I won't forgive him! I'll never forgive him! If it's makes me stronger, then I'll eat him! And I won't leave a trace of him! NOT EVEN HIS BLOOD!" The horned demon yelled to the top of his lungs as he began rushing towards Nezuko without his arms.
"This demon is crazy! He's still trying to attack even though he doesn't have any arms." Nezuko then realized that this demon didn't care, Nezuko prepared for another attack only to feel a heavy weight on her back. As she looked back, Nezuko noticed a gray fog. "Is that…?"
"Duck!" was all the woman said as she lifted up her right leg.
.
Seeing this, Nezuko reacted just in time to feel a gust of wind blow right past her. Then the sound of a wall breaking into a million pieces.
.
"And that's why you never mess with demons who know how to resist eating humans." The demon said as her pink kimono flutter as she landed on the ground in front of Nezuko.
.
As Nezuko looked at the demon, she noticed how black her hair was, with a couple of white strands randomly popping up here and there. But her kimono is what caught Nezuko's attention the most. While the kimono reached just above the knees and its sleeves just below the elbows, it's pure light-pink base suited perfectly to the demon girl's skin. And while a painting of a mountain was wrapped around her waist, it fluttered along with her kimono.
.
"Can I assume you're the demon slayer sent to this location?" The demon asked.
"Who are you?" Was all Nezuko could respond with at the moment.
"Forgive me. My name is Suzuha. And I'll ask again, are you the demon slayer sent to this location?" Suzuha introduced herself and repeated her question.
"Yes. And I'm Nezuko. Nezuko Kamado." Nezuko answered as she introduced herself to this unique demon.
"Kamado?" Suzuha repeated as she looked closely at Nezuko's eye and saw a memory flood her head.
.
"The memory of a calm, caring family. The father weak and thin but had the spirit of a warrior. The mother, just as strong, but stronger. A young brother, who tries his best to follow in his eldest brother's footsteps. A young sister, who is always cheerful and playful when it came to playing with her older siblings. And a child, a boy in fact, sleeping in both his mother's and father's arms."
.
Coming back from the memory, Suzuha turned her attention towards the demon she had just kicked and noticed him standing once again, and without hesitation, rushed up to the two women.
.
"I'll buy you as much time as I can, prepare a move that will kill him instantly. He's gone without eating for days, it's best to end him. Now!" Suzuha answered as she rushed up to the horned demon, punching him in the stomach with such a force that it caused him to cough up blood.
So…so strong!" The horned demon thought to himself. "This girl is a demon…but I don't smell blood on her. How could she be so strong?" As the demon thought this he was sent flying back once again but managed to stop himself by grabbing the ground. Then in a matter of seconds the ground began to open up and water seems to protrude. But just as he was about to dive in, Suzuha rushed up and swung low with her feet to prevent him from reentering. "She's quick too. And not only that, but she's preventing me from reentering my lake?!"
.
Back to Tanjiro…
.
Seeing the demon emerge from the shadows, was enough to send Tanjiro into shock. He wore a standard demon slayer uniform, had an uncovered sheath to his right. His face was deathly pale, with tattoo-like marks that went from the top of his forehead straight down to the bottom of his neck. And the lines also extended twice on each side, from each cheek to his ear. As a smug-like smile appeared on his face, he walked up slowly to reveal who he truly was.
.
"Wait, you…you're a…" Tanjiro was at a loss for words, but the demon had answered for Tanjiro.
"That's right. I used to be a demon slayer, just as yourself." The demon responded, before continuing. "So, from one hunter to another, I'll let you live if you hand over that man. Humans taste better when they have guilt and despair running through them." The demon said as he began to laugh.
.
Complete filled with countless emotions, Tanjiro just stood there without moving an inch or saying a word, and had his head facing down towards the ground. Seeing this the demon began to scoff.
.
"I don't believe it. You're at a loss for words!" The demon began to laugh hysterically at this point, only to hear the sound of a sword being released from its sheath. "Hmm?"
"Your scent is telling me that you've murdered scores of people." Tanjiro said malice in his voice, which clearly scared Kazumi out of his skin. "Mr. Kazumi, I suggest you step back, this could get bloody." As Tanjiro said that, he removed the box that was hanging from his shoulders. "If I were to ever fall open that box, you here?"
"Right." Kazumi answered.
"You're strong. Stronger than I. I'm sure you'll find Makoto again." Tanjiro said as he turned his attention towards the demon.
"It would seem that you are prepared to die." The demon said as he disappeared from sight, only for his scent to reappear behind him. "Now, die!" His voice answered with malice.
.
Ducking just in time, Tanjiro twisted his body mid-air and sliced the demon's hand off, only to get hit in the stomach with the same hand that Tanjiro had cut off.
.
"He regrew it that fast? What's up with that?!" Tanjiro thought to himself as he was sent flying back.
"If you wondering, yes I have eaten scores of humans. But they aren't regular human. Their marechi!" The demon stated with such pride, that it seems like he was gloating. "Marechi, worth 50, no 100 people. And each one with their own unique taste. I can never get enough of them." The demon stopped mid-sentence and turned his attention towards Kazumi. "Now then, marechi…Time for you to become my next meal."
.
Seeing the demon completely focused on him, Kazumi panicked and fell back. Seeing this, Tanjiro, through gasps and short breaths, yelled out.
.
"Mr. Kazumi! Open the box!" Tanjiro yelled.
.
Remembering what Tanjiro had told him, Kazumi rushed towards the box and opened the door. As the inside remained a shadow, the demon laughed as he rushed forward, only to see his entire world turn upside-down. Then in a matter of moment, a young girl, looking to be 8 years of age, emerged from the box. Her long white-hair dragged against the floor as she crawled out of the small, compact box. Her eyes looking with such malice, that if looks could kill, her look would be it. Her kimono was covered by black haori that extended way past her short, tiny arms. And as the demon stood on her own two feet, she began to growl lowly. Seeing this, Kazumi became even more terrified. But that fear was short lived when the young demon child calmed down and looked his way with such kindness it felt like he was in Heaven's Eden.
.
"Kaguya! Look out!" Tanjiro yelled to grab the demon girl's attention.
"Too late!" The demon man answered as he extended his arm out and a sword flew right in it. "Blood Demon Art, Breath of the Wild: Lion's Claw!" As the demon's sword flew straight to Kaguya's neck, he believed he had won once again, only to be proven wrong once again.
.
As before, the demon's world turned upside-down, as he noticed his blade missing from his hand, and Kaguya right in front of him. Even though her body was short and small, the demon believed that all she could was flip him around, but breathing with such force, caused his entire body to shiver like crazy, as her left fist came rushing in and punched the demon's chest with such a force that Kaguya broke through his ribs and it echoed throughout the street.
.
"Tanjiro, now!" Kaguya said for the first time in almost 2 years.
.
Back to Nezuko…
.
As Nezuko noticed Suzuha holding her own against the starved horned demon, Nezuko rose to her feet and began to breath.
.
"Even though he's a demon, he shouldn't have to suffer like this." With determination in her eyes, Nezuko rushed forth and jumped with all her might. "Water Breathing Technique, 5th Form…" As Nezuko fell from the sky she readied her sword. And seeing her shadow, Suzuha kicked the demon into the right position for Nezuko to strike.
.
At the same time…
.
Tanjiro, following Kaguya's instructions, began to run forth while also preparing an attack.
.
"Water Breathing Technique, 1st Form:…" Holding his blade over his shoulder, Tanjiro began to close the distance between him and the demon.
.
Seeing his end near, the demon tried to put in one last ditch effort to save himself. But it was too late at that point.
.
"Surface Slice!" Tanjiro yelled as his blade sliced through the demon's neck.
.
Back to Nezuko…
.
"The Merciful Rain of a Dry Day." Nezuko said as she fell from the sky and passed her blade through the horned demon's neck with no resistance whatsoever. "Rest in peace."
.
In no time, both demons that have tortured this small town had fallen to the blades of two young demon slayers. Seeing this, both Kaguya and Suzuha began to relax after the moment had passed.