"Well, this is bad." Tanjiro said as he, Zenitsu, and another slayer named Inosuke laid side by side in futons, as they had heard from a doctor stating the severity of their injuries.
"Your right." Zenitsu answered. "Who would've thought that every one of us would have broken ribs." But in a split of a second, Zenitsu remembered something. "But, Nezuko-chan has it worse!"
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But just as Zenitsu got up and rushed out the door, he bumped into the one person he was worried about.
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"I can see you're a bit better than yesterday, Zenitsu." Nezuko said as she looked up to see Zenitsu turning a brighter red.
"Ne-nez-Nezuko-chan?" Zenitsu stuttered as he noticed Nezuko in a different light.
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How her skin lightly glowed in the moons warm light. Her black hair spread along the wooden deck, with their mahogany red ends showing. Her violet eyes shining back the color of Zenitsu golden yellow hair. And her body, being wrapped in the soft cloth of the kimono offered by the Wisteria Household. As it parted during their fall, Nezuko's right shoulder was exposed slightly, and it opened to just above her chest, showing a bit of her cleavage. Seeing the situation, Tanjiro rose and removed Zenitsu quickly before anything else happened to his sister.
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The Next Day…
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Hearing the sounds of struggling and grunting, Kaguya got out of her box and looked around the room. As she looked at the paper window, she noticed the sun was high in the sky. As the voices continued to struggle, she heard Nezuko's voice along with another, but she couldn't tell who it belonged to.
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"Come on, Inosuke! Quit struggling, or your going to get badly cut." Nezuko yelled as she tried her best to keep Inosuke down on the wooden deck.
"Let go of me!" Inosuke said.
"Hmmf!" Fine." Nezuko huffed, before coming up with an idea. "You're right. It must be difficult for someone like you to stay still for so long." Turning her attention towards Inosuke, Nezuko saw a vein pop up. "But I mean, for someone like you, it would be very simple and easy. But, oh well. I guess even someone like you can stay still." Nezuko smiled.
"Haah?! I can stay still! I BET I CAN STAY STILL LONGER THAN ANYONE HERE!" Inosuke proclaimed loudly.
"Is that so?" Nezuko said while she gave a smug-like smile. "Then let me see you do it."
"OH, I'll show you. Don't go and make me rip that hair off your head."
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Then Inosuke, sitting like a statue, stay completely still. As he did, Nezuko began to cut his long eyelashes, and trimmed down his hair just a bit. As he sat there, he heard the snipping of the scissors and smelled the fine lightly burned scent of coal coming off of Nezuko, causing Inosuke to feel all giddy on the inside. After another few minutes or so, Nezuko finished.
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"There all done." Nezuko said with a smile as she entered the room where Kaguya was.
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Later that night…
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Looking out towards the night sky, Suzuha just stood in the light of the moon, when the head of the Wisteria household came behind her.
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"May I offer anything to you, young miss?" The old lady asked.
"Oh, no. It's fine. Really." Suzuha answered. "I'm not part of the Demon Slayer Corp."
"Oh, is that so?" The lady said, only to then repeat her question. "Are you sure, I'd be willing to serve you anything you'd like."
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But before Suzuha could reject the lady's kind offer again, her stomach answered for her.
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"Then can I have a bowl of ramen with tempura." Suzuha answered sheepishly. "I'll be sure to pay you back."
"There is no need. Just simply continue to work hard on protecting those young children and I'll accept that as payment." The lady said as she walked away, surprising Suzuha to her core.
"How did she…" But Suzuha cut herself off and just smiled sweetly as she began to walk behind the lady towards the kitchen.
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The Next Day…
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Hearing the sound of a sword swing, Zenitsu woke up to see Tanjiro and Inosuke still sleeping. Opening the door, he noticed the sun rising over the mountains in the horizon. As he walked around the house, the swinging sounds became louder and louder. As Zenitsu then turned the corner, he noticed Nezuko swinging around her katana with conviction, and without rest. Even though she was sweating profusely, she didn't stop for a second. Swinging left, then up. Swinging right, then curving down. Twisting her body so she could spin left, then swinging her sword up. The fluidity of her movement were still rough but there was some progress. After a few minutes of doing the same routine, Nezuko stopped to take a breather for just a short second. Even though her right foot was injured during battle, she continued to stand on it. Then readying herself once more, she held her sword to her left, while supporting it with her right hand open upwards. As Nezuko's sword rested in the crease between her thumb and index finger, she closed her eyes and focused. Seeing her so focused caused Zenitsu to see her in a different light, and the sound she made in that moment caught him by surprise. It sounded wild but controlled. Peaceful, but terrified. Zenitsu never heard a sound such as that, ever since he met Nezuko, the sound she always made was like rushing water going down a rapid river. As entranced as he was, the sound stopped when Nezuko breath outwards, and placed the blade down. As she turned her attention around, the first thing she noticed was Zenitsu staring at her.
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"Can I help you, Zenitsu?" Nezuko asked awkwardly.
"Oh, I'm sorry!" Zenitsu said in a panic. "It's just the sound I usually hear coming off of you changed that I was…sort of entranced by it." Zenitsu said as he looked down to the ground with embarrassment.
"Sound?" Nezuko said with curiosity in her voice. "What do I normally sound like?"
"Huh? Oh, well…you usually sound like the waves of a rapid river. Constantly fighting with yourself but focused on a straight point." Zenitsu answered.
"And what did I sound like that had you so entranced?" Nezuko asked as she sat down on the wooden deck of the house, wiping off the sweat with the towel provided by the House.
"Oh, well…like Tanjiro a bit. But maybe a bit more chaotic." Zenitsu said as he brushed his left index finger on his cheek.
"Chaotic, huh?" Nezuko said as she looked up at the morning sky.
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As the two sat in silence, Zenitsu was trying to figure out a way to start the conversation again, but he couldn't figure out a way. Then after a few minutes, Nezuko spoke up again.
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"I guess I am a bit broken on the inside." Nezuko stated with an embarrassed chuckle.
"Huh?" Zenitsu was caught off guard by Nezuko's sudden speech. "What do you mean?"
"I…most people have their own stories about joining the Demon Slayer Corp. Most reasons being to get revenge against the demons that took their families, or to protect other families so they don't go through the same situation as us." Nezuko spoke, waited for a bit to hear what Zenitsu had to say. But as Zenitsu said nothing, Nezuko continued. "To be perfectly honest, I don't remember what happened to my family. And each time I ask Nii-chan, he would steer the conversation away from it. Almost as if I had something to do with it."
"You don't remember what happened to your family?" Zenitsu asked.
"I don't. I only remember waking up in a small cave far from the mountain I used to live on." Nezuko answered Zenitsu's question before continuing. "But every time I think back, I could only remember the smell of blood around me, and nothing else."
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Zenitsu then began to hear the sound of something breaking coming from Nezuko. If one sound wasn't enough, Zenitsu noticed that Nezuko was capable of created any sound she wanted just by how she felt. But in that moment, when he saw how she was at her lowest, a dark red mark was slowly stretching out across the right side of her forehead.
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"That mark…" Zenitsu pointed out the mark, while Nezuko touched it lightly with the tip of her fingers.
"Oh, this…This was a scar, but ever so often, it just disappears." Nezuko said as she pulled down her bangs to hide it from sight.
"I…I think it pretty." Zenitsu said while blushing a bright red.
"Ah…thank you…" Nezuko answered sheepishly while twiddling with her thumbs.
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Once again silence had taken over the area around the two young demon slayers. Then remembering why he came out, Zenitsu turned to Nezuko and spoke.
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"So, what were you doing earlier, Nezuko?" Zenitsu asked.
"Oh, during the battle with Kyogai, I realized how weak I was…so I thought if I can improve on my speed and swings, I may be of more use to everyone I'm with." Nezuko answered. "But because of my foot, it makes it more difficult." Nezuko spoke with embarrassment.
"Improve your speed…" Zenitsu looked up wondering what he could do to help.
"Oh, I heard from Nii-chan that you slayed a demon with such speed you were a blur." Nezuko spoke quickly after. "So, do you think you could give me some tips on how to move faster."
"Oh, I'm not strong at all. It was Tanjiro who did that. I passed out halfway." Zenitsu said sounding a bit deflated.
"If you were weak, you wouldn't have survived the Final Selection, Zenitsu." Nezuko spoke softly.
"Huh?" Zenitsu looked towards Nezuko, only to see a face of confidence and determination.
"Only the strong persevered through the Final Selection. And I don't know why you pass out, but I believe you pass out, so you don't have to admit the strength you truly possess." Nezuko said as she brought her face a bit closer to Zenitsu to look at him directly in his eyes. "I can see the colors of people souls. And yours is a strong golden color. It's so thick that I feel like I'll suffocate if I got too close."
"A golden color?" Zenitsu repeated as he noticed Nezuko getting closer.
"That's right. And I've seen a lot of different colors, but none of them, not even my brother's compares to yours. So, stop telling yourself that your weak. Because, out of everything, your soul doesn't lie." Nezuko said with a beaming smile as she got up to her feet.
"She thinks that a weak man such as me, is strong? But the way she sounded; she didn't lie." Zenitsu thought to himself, but still couldn't bring himself to believe. Seeing this, Nezuko turned around and spoke.
"I don't care how longs it takes; I'll wait for the day for when you finally realize your true potential." Nezuko spoke with her back facing Zenitsu.
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Listening from the shadows of the house, Suzuha and Kaguya noticed the two. But in Kaguya's eyes she noticed their colors dancing peacefully around each other. Something she had never seen before. Because of this, a smile showed itself on Kaguya's face.
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"You seem happy about something, Kaguya." Suzuha whispered when she noticed Kaguya's smile.
"Colors…pretty." Was all the young child said before returning to her box to sleep.
"Colors, huh?" Suzuha repeated before returning to the shadows as well.
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Several Days Later…
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After hearing from the doctor that their injuries were fully healed, the four teens set off to the one place were one of their traveling companions never wished to return to.
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"I feel bad for Suzuha." Nezuko said as she walked side by side with Zenitsu.
"Why do you say that?" Zenitsu asked when he looked at the box that held Suzuha.
"Well, from what she told us, she just escaped Mt. Natagumo. And now, she's returning there with us." Nezuko said as she felt a kick coming from the box. "Anyways, we should hurry. Come on!" Nezuko said as she began running towards their destination.
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As the other three had begun to rush forward, Zenitsu looked at the two boxes that laid on the Kamado siblings' shoulders. He knew those were no ordinary boxes, in fact he had a small conversation about them with Nezuko. Those boxes were more important than their lives. If push came to shove, the Kamado's wouldn't hesitate to throw the boxes down into the river, or hand them over to their only friends, Inosuke and himself included, so that they would protect it if they had failed to do so. Just remembering the conversation was enough to make Zenitsu hear the sound of fear rise so loudly from Nezuko. But remembering he taught her some basics he remembered from his time under his Gramps. Hoping it be enough to protect her, Zenitsu prayed as he ran to his next destination.
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Several Hours later…
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Coming out of their boxes, Kaguya looked up at the sight she had never seen before but looked at it with disgust. However, to Suzuha she looked at it with fear. She had begun to shake uncontrollably, almost to the point of collapse. But that never happened, due to Kaguya grabbing her hand and held on like her life depended on it. After calming down a bit, Suzuha thanked Kaguya and rushed forward and disappeared into the shadows of the mountain.
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"Was it alright to let her go on her own?" Zenitsu asked before continuing. "I mean, you guys were supposed to protect her, so…"
"Zenitsu…she's the one that told us to let her handle her family." Tanjiro answered. "Let's just let her do what she wants." Even though Tanjiro said that, Zenitsu heard Tanjiro's sound change just slightly but was then changed back to the sound he was used to hearing.
"Let's go." Nezuko said after a few awkward seconds of silence.
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Inside Mount Natagumo…
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Seeing the bodies of deceased, or close to deceased, demon slayers walking towards a man with a tattoo of what looks to be a star-emblem on right of his neck saw all the demon slayers and gave an expression that only read pain. As the moon shined on them through the cracks of the trees, they showed signs of massive bleeding, and loose or broken arms and legs, but continued to walk as if they were being controlled.
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"I am sorry for you lot, but in order to relieve you of your suffering, I only ask that you allow me to take you life. Just as my son had taken yours." The man said with a voice as smooth as silk.
"P-pl-please." Several voices spoke seconds apart from each other asking for the pain they have endured to this point to end.
"Very well." The man answered as he began to breath inwards ever so gently. "Breath of Balance, 1st Form: Gentle Breeze."
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As he said this, the heads of the slayer all fell off their bodies without making a sound as they fell to the ground. As it did, he prayed before continuing onward.
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Several Hours Prior…
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"Huh? You found Rui?" The man asked.
"Not so much as found, but…yes." Lily answered.
"What do you mean?" The man asked once more.
"I… 'ran' into him 9 years back." Lily answered with embarrassment.
"You mean to tell me, you saw my son, and didn't even bother telling me!" the man yelled to the top of his lungs.
"Yes. And I'm sorry for that, but I had my hands ties with two other demons." Lily answered.
"Oh, those girls… then, please forgive me for my outburst." The man apologize as he place his head on the table.
"Chosuke, there is no need for you to apologize. In fact, it is I, who must apologize. Because I changed you into a demon for the sake of killing your own flesh and blood."
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A moment of silence was brought between the two, but that silence didn't last long, since the demon Chosuke spoke up right after.
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"So, where is he?" Chosuke asked.
"Mount Natagumo. He's created a fake family so he could try to fill in the void he created." Lily answered.
"I'll leave as soon as I can." Chosuke added. "But this does not mean I'm turning my back on you Lily. I made a promise, and I intended to keep it."
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Present Time…
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Remembering that, Chosuke continued forward but then heard the rustle of branches above him. As he looked, he noticed a figure hiding, but didn't attack right away, since he knew who it was. Upon closer inspection, she wore what looked to be heavy fur clothing, from her hat to her boots, were all covered with fur to show her background in hunting and survival. Seeing this, Chosuke smiled and spoke to the figure.
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"It's nice to finally meet face-to-face, Yuki." Chosuke spoke as Yuki sat down on the branch.
"You're right." Yuki spoke as she tilted her head slightly to the left to allow the light of the moon to shine on her right eye and show the same emblem Chosuke had, but on top of her right eye. "It's great to finally meet you, Chosuke the 1st."
"If I'm the 1st, then you must be the 8th, correct?" Chosuke added after hearing Yuki speak.
"That's correct." Yuki added with a smile. "But who knew that there would be three Stars here."
"So, you could only sense one." Chosuke replied as he shook his head. "You must open all your sense, but I don't blame you, since you were just joined Lily's Stars about 2 years ago, yes?"
"That's right." Yuki answered as she got to her feet. "Well, I'll be going this way, I'll be sure to send you a signal if I run into Rui." And like that, she was gone. Never made a sound as she jumped from branch to branch.
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Watching as the youngest member of the Stars disappeared into the night, Chosuke smiled warmly before turning his attention deeper into the forest.
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"Even though she's the youngest, she sure is the quickest learner of us all." Chosuke said to himself as he ran farther into the forest, in search for Rui.