Coming to the forest, and seeing all the dead bodies on the ground, Joichirou placed his hands together and prayed the fallen slayers a farewell.
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"Did you know any of them, Sensei?" Shinobu asked as she looked around.
"Only a few." Joichirou answered as he rose to his feet. "Most of them were sent with Ozaki, and some became acquainted with her as well."
"Ozaki, huh?" Shinobu repeated the name Joichirou said. "She's a Mizunoto, and a Tsukugo, correct?"
"That's right. I'll be going Southeast, you two decide where you want to go." Then before any of them could see, Joichirou disappeared in the blink of an eye.
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As the two young Hashira's began to run together, they eventually separated as they began going in different directions, with Shinobu going West, and Giyuu going Northwest.
Joichirou never stopped running. He just continued moving forward. Even with his frail-looking body, which still had a bit of muscle, unlike his teens to mid-20's, Joichirou searched frantically for the slayer known as Ozaki. Being that she was his only family, he couldn't…no, wouldn't lose another person who was precious to his life, once again. Nor would he waste the 2nd chance he had been given by the mysterious demon who had assisted him nearly 19 years ago.
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19 years ago…
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Joichirou was still new to the whole Demon Slayer Corp, but due to his immense strength and stamina, he had surpassed his peers within weeks. From being a Mizunoto to Kanoe in a mere 6 months, had astonished every slayer he had met. But he knew his efforts would soon catch up to him. Feeling the immense fatigue around his whole body, Joichirou felt himself getting weaker by the day. And it never helped that he was also…
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"A marked one, huh?" Joichirou answered to himself as he looked in the crystal clear river as it reflected the sun's bright rays and showed his face. But his entire focus was on the mark that clearly didn't hide its existence from the world. Like a lightning bolt coming from the sky, its shape and form looked similar, the mark was on the right side of his face coming straight down from where Joichirou's forehead began to the base of his neck. As the mark cracked a bit in different places, the most noticeable crack was just a bit under his right eye, and just slightly near his nose. Joichirou was astounded as the mark that had just appeared without him realizing, was suddenly improving his stamina and strength to that of a demon. "I believe I've heard something about these marks from my family, but I can't seem to remember." As Joichirou sighed, he continued on his mission.
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As he ran, Joichirou realized early on that if he uses too much of his stamina it affects him later on. In hopes to contain some strength, he slowed down his normal fighting styles and tactics. But it mattered not, as he began to realize his body still continued to move at speeds faster than humanly possible.
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Later that night…
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Completely exhausted and tired, Joichirou leaned against a tree in the middle of a forest clearing. Trying his best to calm himself while using his breaths had helped a bit, it didn't clear his head enough to sense the danger around him. Just barely hearing the rustle of leaves moving behind him, Joichirou dodged his attacker's attack. Then getting into position, Joichirou began to lean on his right foot while slightly extending his left leg outward. Then moving his chest a bit forward, he placed his right hand on his sword and waited for his enemy to move.
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"You look exhausted, slayer." The demon spoke as he showed his face completely, only for Joichirou to see nothing on the demon's face to indicate his age.
"I see." Joichirou responded trying his best to ignore his sudden weakness. "You're a newly created demon, aren't you?"
"Why does that matter to you?!" The demon yelled as he rushed forward trying his best to strike at the now weak Joichirou.
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Still being able to see the demon move, Joichirou focused all of his strength into defense, but the demon never gave him a chance to rest. Feeling his stamina depleting more and more, Joichirou began to think that his was his end. Then, jumping with the last of his strength, readied himself as he placed his hand on his sword, and waited.
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"Wait, are you putting in a last ditch effort?" The demon asked as began to laugh. "You…really are pathetic!"
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Not answering to his provocation, the air around Joichirou changed suddenly when his hand finally grasped his sword. Seeing this, the demon rushed up without hesitation. Waiting for the demon to get close as possible, Joichirou waited. And waited. Until finally, he released his sword slightly from its sheath.
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"Breath of the…" But Joichirou was stopped himself from using his breath as someone had entered his field of vision, and completely punched the heck out of the demon and sent him flying. "Who's that?" Joichirou thought to himself as he began to relax.
"You alright, kiddo?" The figure asked after sending the demon flying.
"Kiddo?" Joichirou repeated as he never moved from his stance.
"You seem to be alright." The answered to himself, only for his expression to change quickly when he noticed the mark on Joichirou's face. Then looking down in defeat, he spoke once again. "I see, you're a marked on, too."
"Marked one?" Releasing himself from his stance, Joichirou began to ask the question that always plagued his mind. "Do you know what these marks are?"
"I do. And they are usually death sentences for humans." The figure spoke with sorrow in his voice. "Hey, kid." He said as he turned around to show a star emblem on the left side of his neck, which caught Joichirou's attention. "Take some advice from a demon who knows about the mark and forbid yourself from using it ever again."
"Wait, you're a…demon?" The shock that Joichirou felt in that moment was enough to make him to stumble backwards a bit.
"Not all demons are human killers and eaters." Seeing Joichirou take a stance again, the demon lifted his arms up in an attempt to show that he meant no harm.
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As soon as he lifted his arms, Joichirou noticed three lines on his arms. Knowing what those were, he called out.
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"You're an Edo criminal?" Joichirou asked.
"That's right. But, I was given a second chance by a woman who also happened to be a demon. But unlike other demons, she sought a peaceful world in which humanity can rest with ease." As he began to remember a woman dressed in a black yukata with the patterns of cherry blossom branches, he smiled and continued to speak. "After giving me my second chance, I told that just before I die of old age to change me into a demon, and she kept her promise."
"Why would you do that?" Joichirou continued his interrogation.
"Because I owe her everything." He responded with a serious tone. "She did not take advantage of my weakness, but instead took advantage of my strength, just a she had with all the other Stars." Then the demon had turned to leave. But just before he did, he spoke without turning his attention. "I suggest you cut that demon's head off, we took too much time talking. And I hope to see you again." And just like the wind, he disappeared without a trace.
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After their conversation, Joichirou saw the demon that had attacked him impaled in the chest by a tree branch unable to move from where he was. Without wasting a second, Joichirou twirled with ferocity that he became a blur and sliced off the demon's head in one fell swoop. As the demon disappeared, Joichirou stumbled and fell to the ground out of pure exhaustion. Then as he awoke to the sun shining on his eye, he continued on his journey.
Wondering about the mark that was plastered on his face, he began to calm his raging heart and took a look in the river only to see the mark disappear like dust in the wind. Closing his eyes, he began to thank the demon who had helped him in his time of need and sought to find a way to live.
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Present Time…
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After reminiscing in the past, Joichirou began to focus on where he went. Seeing something reflect on his left eye, he looked up to see a ton of wires.
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"The wires are thicker in numbers. The puppeteer is probably…" Joichirou was cut off due to a voice screaming in the distance. A voice he had clearly recognized. "Ozaki?!" As he began to look back and forth, he gritted his teeth and made a quick decision.
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In the middle of the mountain…
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Sitting on a boulder, pulling the strings with such ferocity, Mother Spider was in fear for her life, that she saw her puppets as nothing but a waste. But just before she could pull her strings back, she began to hear the crunching and rustling of leaves. Looking around frantically, she looked up to see a figure jumping from the treetops. Completely scared out of her mind, Mother Spider had completely frozen, unable to make a decision. But in that same second, she lifted her hand towards her executioner and accepted her fate. But the death she wished for had never come to pass. Instead she felt the strings on her fingers snap off. As Mother Spider opened her eyes, she saw a man with a figure that looked horrid, but the way he held himself was peaceful. If actions could speak, his actions had said: "I'm not dying just yet." And seeing this, she extended her hands out to him in desperation.
Seeing the pain in her eyes, Joichirou grabbed on of Mother Spiders hand and held it tight. Ever since his rescue from that demon, his views and principles on demons had changed significantly. Always giving demons a second chance if they ever asked for it, and this particular demon, her expression yelled to be saved.
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"You've held on for quite some time, huh?" Joichirou asked only to see the woman in front of him change into a little child, who had begun to cry. "You know there was once a child that I knew who would've loved to have a great conversation with you. So, in her stead I'll have one with you. At least until another slayer comes this way."
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As Joichirou said this, he sat on the ground and patiently waited for the demon to move. Seeing this, she slid down the boulder, and sat next to the man who gave her a second chance.
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With Tanjiro and Inosuke…
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After bandaging up the only slayer left alive, a young petite girl with wide, dark eyes and shoulder-length hair that was worn in a mid-ponytail, with shorter bangs left hanging over her face. As she sat looking at Tanjiro bandaging her left arm with was completely popped out of its socket and placed back with the help of Inosuke, she thanked him.
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"Oh, and by the way, my name is Ozaki." Ozaki replied with a bright smile, which completely changed her character from before.
"And I'm Tanjiro. That's Inosuke. We're Mizunoto's who were sent to help." Tanjiro said with a beaming smile, which seemed to have calmed Ozaki's spirits for a moment.
"Ah, Sensei is going to kill me if he found out about this." Ozaki spoke as she leaned her head back in shame.
"Wait, Sensei?" Tanjiro asked, and at the same time it had also gotten the attention of Inosuke.
"Oh, that's right, you said you were Mizunoto's, like me huh?" As Ozaki thought about it, she nodded her head almost as if she agreed on something. "I won't tell you now, but if I survive this, I'll tell you, sound good?"
"Yes, please." Tanjiro said, only to see Ozaki's expression change. "Miss Ozaki, what's wrong?"
"I don't know, but I keep sensing a more dangerous presence just past that clearing over there." Ozaki spoke as she turned her attention to the young demon slayers. "Once I rest for a bit, I'll meet up with you again."
"But…" Tanjiro was cut off by Inosuke.
"Oh, you better, Kokaki!" Inosuke yelled. "Otherwise, I'll use you as a board!"
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Laughing at the provocation, Ozaki's expression in that moment, caused Inosuke to become all giddy again. After answering to his provocation, Ozaki began to watch the two young Demon Slayers leave. Then once they were out of ear shot, Ozaki spoke up.
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"If you were going to hide, then you should've hidden your presence better, demon." Ozaki spoke as she rose to her feet and grabbed her sword with her only good arm and pointed it into the shadows of the forest.
"Tanjiro…where?" Was all the voice said.
"Tanjiro…come closer." Listening to her words, a small figure walked out of the shadows. Her small stature, along with her long white hair, and an obvious haori that was too big for a girl like her, made her seem like a life-size doll. "A…kid?"
"Kaguya." Was all Kaguya needed to say in order for Ozaki to understand
"I see. You name is Kaguya." Placing her sword down, Ozaki sat down out of pure exhaustion.
"Guard…let down. Why?" Kaguya asked.
"If you wanted to attack me, you wouldn't have waited for me to speak. Because of that, I know you wanted to talk, not fight." Ozaki answered as she sighed a breath of relief from taking in the air around her.
"Arm…let me see." Kaguya asked once more as she had gotten closer, only to be pushed back.
"Just because I know you won't attack me; doesn't mean I trust you. Yet." Ozaki said with malice in her voice. "Sensei may trust you guys, but I don't."
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But even as she said that, using her speed, Kaguya ended up right beside Ozaki and looked at her arm. Struggling to get away, Ozaki tried to move, but with Kaguya's strength overpowering her she gave in. For a few minutes of silence, Ozaki and Kaguya just sat, they did nothing but look at the arm that was rendered useless. As the night went on, the two whether they saw it or not, had gotten closer.
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Wondering the vast forest…
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Nezuko had begun to call out for Zenitsu, after somehow being separated from each other.
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"How did we even get separated from each other." Nezuko spoke to herself as she began to think on how she got separated. But with nothing came to mind, she sighed only to then hear the sound of thunder. "Was that thunder?" Nezuko asked as she looked up to see no clouds in sight. "There are not clouds, so that couldn't be… Zenitsu!"
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Now finally having a lead, Nezuko had begun to run in the direction of the sound where the thunder came.
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"Zenitsu, please be safe." Nezuko thought as she began to run towards Zenitsu.
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After battling Brother Spider Demon…
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Through his wheezing, Zenitsu had begun to use his breathing as a means of slowing down his blood flow. Even though it was painful and in most times he wanted to give up, remembering how weak Nezuko looked on one of the last few night in the Wisteria household, made him try harder to survive. He knew deep down that it would break Nezuko if someone she was close to suddenly died, or worse turned into a demon. Then if the worse had happened, Zenitsu vision had started to dim, but still continuing to use his breaths to try and slow down his blow flow even more, he began to see what looked to be a butterfly.
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"Hello?" A quiet voice spoke, only for it to get louder and louder, until it was within ear shot.
"Who's there?" Zenitsu asked without taking his eyes off of the moon.
"Oh, good your still there." Shinobu spoke with a bright smile, as she knelt down to get closer to Zenitsu. Then, placing her finger on his forehead, she nodded with agreement. "Looks like you slow your blood flow long enough to slow down the effects of the poison." As Shinobu said this, she pulled out a box, and removed a needle from it and began creating an antidote. "This should do the trick."
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Picking up Zenitsu's now small arm, she injected the needle into it, which caused Zenitsu to grit his teeth a bit due to the foreign object. After doing so, Zenitsu felt the poison wearing off and he had begun to calm down. In that same moment, he began to hear footsteps, one's in which he knew all to well. Shinobu saw Zenitsu's expression change a bit and looked down to see Nezuko out of breath and looking upwards.
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"I take it that this is your friend, little one?" Shinobu asked.
"Does he have golden hair? If so then, that is my friend Zenitsu." Nezuko spoke out of breath, but still standing. As Shinobu came down to greet her, Nezuko continued to look up at the house.
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Seeing the amount of people hanging from wires caused her hatred to boil, but unlike others, Nezuko knew how to contain such anger. But then realizing where she was, she began to look around for her brother. Or to be more precise, her brother's color. But not being able to see him or it, Nezuko spoke to Shinobu, who at this point landed right in front of her.
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"Excuse me, Miss…" Nezuko just realized she didn't know Shinobu's name.
"Hmm? What is it?" Shinobu looked towards Nezuko after she spoke.
"Have you seen a boy with a scar on the left side of his forehead, by any chance?" Nezuko asked.
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After thinking for a bit, Shinobu spoke.
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"No, I haven't." Shinobu then turned towards the East and pointed. "I came from the East, just down that way. But I didn't see anyone with a scar on their forehead. Sorry." But as Shinobu looked back, she noticed Nezuko no longer standing where she thought she was, but instead running in the direction of where Shinobu came. "Uh…Hey!" Shinobu yelled as she began to chase after Nezuko.