Hinokami's Blessing
Chapter 10
12Thirtypain03
WARNING: This story is rated M for mature rated content. If some acts of violence, blood, or anything easily triggering makes you uncomfortable, please leave and do not read. Any change to a character, when introduced, killed, changed into demon/human, or more will be labelled in the chapter of occurrence. If a character has died in a chapter, that chapter will give a cause of death to that character.
Urokodaki's House
Urokodaki continued on with his own endeavors, as he continued to work on his swords.
It seemed that at the moment, Giyu was still here. Urokodaki was somewhat confused with Giyu's own behaviour. Usually, Giyu did not come back to the Urokodaki house. For reasons he felt were personal, yet he knew, Giyu almost never showed up to visit Urokodaki.
Once Nezuko and Tanjirou were sent up here however, Giyu kept coming back occasionally, and ever since having both Nezuko and Tanjirou go out to slay demons, they both had spend some time together.
It was strange for Urokodaki's own opinion, but he did value the time he spent with Giyu. Even if he was awkward and quiet, Urokodaki knew the reasons. He knew the reasons for Giyu's own problems and what he thought about all this time.
He even knew of Giyu's…
Perhaps he shouldn't be thinking of that, it is a personal topic for Giyu, and it's something he shouldn't even think about. For now, he was glad that he could spend time with Giyu.
Once they saw a crow flying towards the two, they immediately tensed. This usually signaled that Tanjirou and Nezuko had done something that warranted an update for their mission.
"Caw! Tanjirou Kamado and Nezuko Kamado have defeated the Hand Demon responsible for the deaths of Sabito and Makomo!" The crow squaked, and immediately Urokodaki sighed in relief.
He noticed the look Giyu was giving. It seemed to be a mix of guilty and closure. Urokodaki knew why. Giyu felt a sense of closure, as Sabito and Makomo's own killer were now defeated. By Tanjirou and Nezuko, both had done what he couldn't.
And for that, he coldn't do nothing but thank them. He may have failed to protect Sabito and his sister's life, but he will do everything he can to defend Nezuko and Tanjirou.
He couldn't fail to protect someone, again. He had to do what he had failed to do.
Even though the killer of Sabito and Makomo were now gone, Giyu felt a sense of inferiority. In reality, he should have been the one to seek revenge on the hand demon, but since he was a Hashira, he couldn't go. Only trainees could.
Perhaps Giyu should have taken the possibility to go to the forest and Final Selection yet again, to find and kill the hand demon once and for all, but that was already vacated by Kanae, who obviously wanted to go to make sure Kanao was safe and alive. And so, Giyu couldn't do anything to seek revenge on the Hand Demon.
Apparently, Kanae had once again run into Upper Moon 2, and unfortunately was injured enough to be sent back. Apparently, a demon slayer wearing a mask was responsible for temporarily holding the demon back for around 10 seconds, which was enough to get Kanae out of there.
Giyu and Urokodaki had a good idea who that demon slayer was.
He just had to be satisfied that the demon was now dead. And while he was glad, it still did not fill the guilt he had in his heart and thoughts.
It was the demons in his head that hurt Giyu more than the demons he slayed.
Urokodaki knew Giyu was suffering, and he wished he could have helped him more. Alas, he was hoping Tanjirou and Nezuko were a good influence on them.
And so, once they were told Tanjirou and Nezuko had survived, they knew they had to keep their part of the deal. Both would become demon slayers, and thus, were now in the corps.
While they may have had the protection, there was the risk they would be executed once captured by the Hashira. They could only hope that Ubuyashiki's own approval and blessing would be enough to bypass the other Hashira's speculation.
After around a day when the crow gave them the news, Tanjirou and Nezuko had gotten back. Urokodaki had given them a large hug, and Giyu thanked them immensely for avenging the deaths of Sabito and Makomo.
Tanjirou and Nezuko explained the whole story of their fight, and when Giyu asked him about a certain encounter, Tanjirou knew he had to be honest.
"Well, unfortunately, Nezuko herself had went to sleep after she was thrown by the demon and hit her head on a rock." Tanjirou explained, and Nezuko looked down in shame at her apparent weakness throughout the last time.
"I'm sorry…" Nezuko mumbled.
"Don't be!" Tanjirou exclaimed, with a smile, "You gave me a critical chance to defeat it! It's what makes humans capable of defeating demons!"
Nezuko sighed, still upset but taking the compliment from her brother.
"Anyways, as I was trying to escape with my sister, I ran into two people." Tanjirou explained to the both of them. "One of them was a human girl who seemed to be a young adult, and the other was a demon boy."
"Go on." Giyu nodded, as he was taking in everything. "Did you engage in a fight with them?"
Tanjirou looked a bit shocked at the question, before nodding, "I did for a bit, before the demon blew me off with his blood demon art, at least I think it was. At least I was able to fend off the demon from finishing the girl."
Giyu's eyes widened in shock at this, and even Urokodaki had a scent of shock. Why were the both of them shocked.
"What's going on?" Tanjirou asked.
"Do you think that demon had an idea you, yourself were a demon?" Urokodaki asked.
"He never explicitly told me, nor did I smell that he had that idea, all he probably thought was that I was unusually strong or determined to fend him off." Tanjirou explained, clearly confused about why the both of them were taking this seriously.
"Tanjirou, that was Upper Moon two you encountered, and the person you defended was a Hashira, the Flower Hashira." Urokodaki explained.
"What?" Tanjirou asked. "What is a Hashira and Upper Moon?"
Giyu sighed, "I guess it's a matter of time before we have to tell you, especially since you've encountered both so early in your training."
"You are already aware of who Muzan is, right?" Giyu asked.
Tanjirou nodded, "Yes, I do. He was the one who killed my family, and the person I described to you, Urokodaki."
Urokodaki nodded, with Giyu as well. "While we both were confused as to who you were describing, considering the circumstances with both you and your sister both turning into demons, it made sense to conclude he was responsible, as he's the only one able to turn others into demons."
Giyu coughed, clearly aware he gave them the wrong information originally. "I wasn't aware."
"Anyways, as for Muzan, he also has something called the Twelve Kizuki. These are designated through the twelve strongest demons Muzan has at his disposal. The Twelve Kizuki can be divided into Upper Moons and Lower Moons." Giyu started.
"The Lower Moons are usually capable of killing many demon slayers, and it takes the Hashira, the strongest demon slayers to kill them. Usually, the Hashira were capable of being able to kill some of Muzan's strongest demons. Unfortunately, the Upper Moons, or the stronger six of the Twelve Kizuki are designed to kill many of the Hashira." Giyu explained.
"So, I witnessed the power of some of the strongest individuals?" Tanjirou asked, and once Giyu nodded, he shuddered, "No wonder they smelled so strong…" His hands began to shake as he realized the situation…
"So, why exactly is it a big deal if I run into them, despite how strong and deadly they are?" Tanjirou asked.
"It is rumoured and highly theorized that Muzan is able to see through the eyes of other demons. He will usually prioritize the strongest of the demons." Giyu explained, "In a way, your smell can help you determine what demon you are getting involve in for a fight. If your smell tells you how strong the demon is, there's a high dance Muzan will look through the demon's eyes." Giyu told Tanjirou, warning him.
"Oh, then what about me and Nezuko?" Tanjirou asked. "If we're demons, wouldn't Muzan be staring at us?"
Giyu shook his head, "It depends on how much blood he gave you, and despite this, considering how much both of you adapted from your original body and demonic traits, we assume you managed to overcome this curse."
"Well that's a relieve…" Tanjirou sighed, looking to Nezuko who merely nodded. She was still somewhat tired, and thus was wanting to sleep.
"I'll let the both of you get some rest. We have a lot to talk about regarding everything that occurred at Final Selection." Urokodaki explained, as he motioned for the both of them to get some rest.
Tanjirou obliged after everything, and both he and Nezuko went to sleep.
Urokodaki sighed as he looked to Giyu, "So, what do you think about this situation?"
Giyu looked over, "I'm not sure if the demon was aware that Tanjirou was a demon, as he seemed to have been wearing his mask when he was engaging in everything. However, I'm more inclined to see Kanae's reaction."
"How is she doing, by the way?" Urokodaki asked.
"She's recovering fine. The ice in her lungs may cause her to take longer to recover her breathing, but Kocho thinks she will make a recovery. Tsuyuri was nervous for her wellbeing, but I think everything will work out." Giyu explained.
"That's good." Urokodaki nodded, as he then began to think, "I understand the younger Kocho sibling gets on your nerve, but I think this is her way of communicating with you."
Giyu sighed, "She doesn't have to annoy me and say hurtful things to me."
"Giyu." Urokodaki looked at the Water Hashira, "You don't always need to avoid talking to people."
Giyu merely looked towards Urokodaki, "I'm afraid I cannot. The damage is already done, and many withing the Hashira already hate me. I shouldn't even be in the Hashira, that role belongs to Sabito."
Urokodaki sighed, "You managed to achieve such a role because of him. Perform that role to the best of your ability, for his sake, alright?"
Giyu nodded, "Got it."
"Good, now let's figure out what to do regarding these two demon slayers now." With that, the two began to send messages to Ubuyashiki, who had gotten the message about Kanae's condition over her crow.
While Ubuyashiki was glad Kanae had survived her second encounter with the Upper Moon 2, albeit being in worse condition than last time, she still survived and could give more crucial information about him.
Once Giyu had informed Ubuyashiki that Tanjirou and Nezuko both would be involved in the Final Selection area to help contain the demons within the area for them to resolve the issue properly.
Once that was done, both had begun to inform the swordsmith village, so that they can be prepared for their swords.
Eventually, Nezuko and Tanjirou woke up, before they were shown a multitude of orbs by Urokodaki. Giyu had returned to the estate when he was informed about the prospects of a meeting.
Tanjirou eyed the orbs, seemingly amazed with the overall quality, before he allowed Nezuko to see them as well.
"They're so pretty!" Nezuko exclaimed.
"Under many certain circumstances, the sun orb would be placed on the blade of your choice which would then give you the colour you get with your overall qualities as a demon slayer." Urokodaki explained, "In this case, your nirchirin blades are already forged in the sun orb. That is responsible for embedding your blade with the sunlight properties that allows you to decapitate demons successfully."
"Oh, I see…" Tanjirou and Nezuko both mumbled.
"However, we will soon see your colour, as the new nirchirin blade will come." Urokodaki explained.
"Oh wow! We get to see our coloured blades so soon?" Tanjirou asked.
Nezuko too, was excited, and Tanjirou smiled as well. Both clearly excited and were able to grasp the idea they would soon be demon slayers.
Eventually, both Tanjirou and Nezuko had noticed an individual was coming towards them. Through the entrance of Urokodaki's house, both Nezuko and Tanjirou looked at him in apprehension. Both were glad they were wearing their masks to hide their demonic traits.
The aura for this individual, thankfully, wasn't malicious, Tanjirou could smell that, and Nezuko could sense that.
That was, when Nezuko realized it was a Noh theater mask. It was something she had seen during festivals in the village, as they had usually comical expressions, that made Nezuko laugh, almost.
This man, was carrying some long wooden boxes, was mumbling something. Nezuko could tell this man was short-tempered, as a result, would be best not to get on his bad side. Nezuko hoped Tanjirou would not accidentally irritate him.
"Urokodaki!" Nezuko called out to him. He had come out, once Nezuko called him.
"Yes?" Urokodaki asked.
"Who is that?" Nezuko asked yet again, as she pointed to the man with the comedic Noh threater mask.
"Oh, that is the swordsmith, he's the one who will bring the blade you made from the ore you picked back then." Urokodaki explained, "He'll be the one giving you both your customized nirchirin swords."
"Oh! I need to bring Tanjirou down!" Nezuko called out to Tanjirou, only for Tanjirou to comedically deadpan.
"I'm right here." Tanjirou mumbled, with Nezuko realizing and apologizing.
Eventually, the individual came in, and placed the wooden boxes down, looking straight to Nezuko and Tanjirou.
"I better see a red blade." The swordsmith chirped up, and Nezuko knew she was right about her assumptions. Tanjirou, for his part seemed surprised for a split second before calming down.
"Uh, and why is that?" Nezuko asked.
"He's a child of brightness. Haven't seen them in so long." The swordsmith explained, as he pointed to Tanjirou.
Tanjirou, for his part seemed a bit surprised again, as he was never mentioned as a child of brightness before.
"Um, but I'm the child of Tanjurou Kamado, and Kie Kamado." Tanjirou explained, then pointing towards Nezuko, "We both are."
"Eh, whatever, just give me a red blade!" The swordsmith was also impatient, it seems. "But you boy! You have red hair, and the earrings. It's clear you both are charcoal workers from your bloodline!"
"Oh…" Both individuals mumbled as they had no way to respond to such a claim.
"Anyways, let's just see the colour of your blades then!" The swordsmith exclaimed.
Both of them nodded as they begun to lift over the box.
"I'll let you go first, Nezuko." Tanjirou told his sister, and she nodded, thanking her brother as she opened it.
"I'll open it then." Nezuko told them as she noticed the silver katana, just like the ones both she and her brother was using prior to now.
As she quickly opened it, she the lifted the sword and placed in down.
"You need to hold it in the air." The swordsmith deadpanned, and Nezuko chuckled at her embarrassment.
"Got it."
With that, she held the blade up.
Somewhat expectedly, Nezuko's blade began to change from the base to the tip.
The blade was turning dark blue.
"Well, that's a nice colour." Urokodaki commented, "As expected of a water breathing user. However, there is something unusual."
True to his statement, it seems that some parts of Nezuko's sword, or maybe the colour itself was a shade closer to purple than the typical water breathing user.
"What does that mean?" Nezuko asked.
"I don't know, but considering how most of your blade is the usual blue colour, I would assume it means you are affluent in water breathing." Urokodaki explained.
"Yeah, yeah yeah, what's new. You!" The swordsmith pointed to Tanjirou who looked alarmed. "Now is your turn!"
"Alright, alright…" Tanjirou mumbled as he took out his own blade. He seemed a bit nervous as he was unsure what kind of colour he would get.
He knew Nezuko was better with using the water breathing style and technique than him, as he had a harder time learning it. Meaning, if Nezuko had an issue getting the proper colour, Tanjirou did not want to know what his sword would look like.
Eventually, he lifted the blade up in the air, and it began to manifest.
Tanjirou closed his eyes, before opening it, only to see black.
Pure, pitch black. It was on the base of his blade before it went and manifested to the tip.
There was no other colour that could have possibly been visible. It was the purest of black anyone could ever see. Tanjirou could bet that if he was in the dark, his blade would be impossible to see.
"Black…" Even Urokodaki was shocked, unable to speak.
"WHAT?! I WAS EXPECTING A RED BLADE! CURSE YOU!" The swordsmith unexpectedly got violent as he began to tussle with Tanjirou comedically. Tanjirou, doing his best to hold him back began asking questions.
"What's wrong with black?" Tanjirou asked.
"It's not bad, per say, but rather those with black blades don't live long, and struggle to learn breathing styles." Urokodaki explained.
"Well at least one of those statements was correct." Tanjirou mumbled, before the swordsmith gave up.
"Worthless…" The guy mumbled, as Tanjirou ignored him, and continued to observe his now, black nirchirin blade.
"I may say, however, that is perhaps the darkest, and blackest blade I think I've ever seen…" Urokodaki commented,
"Does that mean I'll struggle?" Tanjirou asked.
"As I've said, it's not guaranteed." Urokodaki explained.
And so, Tanjirou nodded, clearly getting over it.
Before the two could talk more, they received a surprising occureence.
"Caw! Tanjirou Kamado and Nezuko Kamado! Head for a town to the North! Night after night! Young girls are disappearing!" The crow told the both of them.
"Seems we already have a job for us, right brother?" Nezuko asked her brother, who nodded in response.
"Girls are disappearing?" Tanjirou asked himself, clearly concerned, as he stared at Nezuko with paranoia.
What if Nezuko herself disappeared in front of him?
Tanjirou knew he had a job. He had trained so hard for this, and he was finally going on his journey as a demon slayer, with his sister. He had a lot to do to protect Nezuko, and the others who have lost their loved ones.
He stared at his nirchirin sword, as he was told more about them. He was told that they could change their colour depending on the wielder and the colour, represents characteristics.
For Tanjirou, since many people were not documented with black nirchirin blades, Tanjirou just had to experience it himself the effects of it. Nezuko had an easier time, since her blue blade correlated perfectly for water breathing.
As Tanjirou looked around, the both of them wielding their nirchirin blade, alongside some uniforms made by the demon slayer corps.
Soon, the both of them looked around as they explored the village observing the surroundings. They also had their respective masks on, preventing the others from seeing them as demons. Of course, it was more difficult for them to talk to others during the night, but it also helped regarding finding demon-like activities.
Nezuko was observing around, and Tanjirou could tell she was sensing something. In particular, she looked at an individual who seemed to be in distress. This individual was a boy who seemed very sadden and pitiful.
Tanjirou used the conversation of the other villagers to decipher what was going on, and once he heard some girls gossip, Tanjirou knew what to do.
"Kazumi is looking very bad right now…"
"Probably because of Satoko's disappearance. Ever since then, he's been miserable."
Tanjirou immediately knew that this condition fit the rest of the other ones. Therefore, if he could talk to Kazumi, then he could gather more information about this demon.
"It's so creepy. When night comes, another girl will disappear, all young too…" The women commented yet again, and Tanjirou decided to confront Kazumi.
"Excuse me, are you Kazumi?" Tanjirou asked.
Said individual, Kazumi nodded. "Yes, what is it?"
"I would like to learn more about the disappearance of Satoko." Tanjirou explained.
"W-Why?" Kazumi asked, a bit nervous.
"Well you see, me and my sister are demon slayers, and we assume that the disappearance of many young girls may be due to a demon." Tanjirou explained.
Kazumi nodded nervously as he begun to walk towards the area Satoko disappeared. Tanjirou could smell the sense of sadness and loss in his own smell. Tanjirou felt sorry for him, and wished his sister a more prosperous life next time.
Eventually, Kazumi stopped, and Tanjirou could immediately smell something.
Nezuko too could sense something.
"What's going on brother?" Nezuko asked his brother as he immediately went to smell the scent.
"I smell two individuals… One of them must be the girl you mentioned, but the other…" Tanjirou mumbled, "Is a demon."
Kazumi could only ponder at everything as he did not know what to do in this sitation. The best he could do, was follow and let this demon slayer do his job.
Tanjirou looked on. He needed to do something.
Eventually, he looked at Nezuko, a thought popping up, and for a second, he was debating using Nezuko as a pawn to feint the demon, but he decided against it.
That was something he would never do to his sister. However, to Tanjirou's surprise, Nezuko was willing to do something like this.
"NO!" Tanjirou exclaimed, "I'm not putting you through this."
Eventually, Tanjirou smelt something. "The demon's here! Alright fine, Nezuko, let's get this over with…"
With that, Tanjirou quickly skidded away.
Kazumi merely looked at Nezuko who smiled. "I'll be alright, Kazumi, this is all meant to be a feint, alright?"
Kazumi nodded nervously, and so both Kazumi and Nezuko acted like they were walking together. This was perhaps the best way for Tanjirou to observe the demon responsible for this.
Tanjirou noticed this due to the smell getting stronger, and being able to map out the specific demons.
And so, when the demon's arms began to wrap around Nezuko, Tanjirou blurred.
Water Breathing, First Form: Water Surface Slash
Tanjirou quickly slashed the arms of the demon, who yelled in pain, before disappearing.
Kazumi, for his part seemed to be in disbelief. Whether it was about the prospects of demons and demon slayers, Tanjirou wasn't sure. But he made sure to keep Kazumi away and protected, for the demon way try to get rid of him by a sense of evidence.
"Where is the demon gone?" Nezuko asked, as she was trying to find the demon. Thankfully, Nezuko could see the infrared trails of the demon and the girl they most definitely had in their possession.
Likewise, Tanjirou himself could also smell the demon's scent. Considering this demon didn't seem to be visible with the typical, naked eye, both Tanjirou and Nezuko both had to utilize their other senses to detect the other demon.
Eventually, both Nezuko and Tanjirou could tell the demon was trying to grab Nezuko yet again.
This time, Nezuko countered and grabbed the demon, as if trying to yank it into sight.
Before the demon could once again go back into its realm, Tanjirou struck his sword near Nezuko where the demon was.
Almost immediately, the area began to ooze a black cloudy aura, which eventually manifested into another girl showing up, unconscious, and not moving.
Tanjirou feared the worse and sighed, knowing he failed to save another girl. Backing up, he noticed another figure manifesting itself above the plum of black aura.
"This is a demon…" Tanjirou mumbled, as he was glad he moved out the way.
"With a blood demon art… I've learned about blood demon arts because of the encounter with that Upper moon demon I encountered. By comparison, this one looks much easier and weaker to maneuver through!" Tanjirou exclaimed to himself.
"Where are the girls you kidnapped, huh?" Nezuko asked once the demon came out, and her hand was freed by a slash towards the demon's arm to free Nezuko's own.
"Grrrr…." Was all the demon mumbled, as he decided to just go back into his own black dimension.
"Crap!" Tanjirou exclaimed. He began to think of something to counter this blood demon art. The only thing he could tell was that the demon was still visible through his nose.
"Nezuko! Can you sense the demon?" Tanjirou asked his sister.
His sister, Nezuko nodded, "I can, the remnants of the infrared light is still residing where he was."
"Alright, we'll have to wait for the demon to come out." Tanjirou told her sister.
"But if the demon could travel anywhere, we would be constantly chasing it…" Nezuko countered Tanjirou's statement, and he sighed.
"Well then we'll have to follow the demon through." Tanjirou then told Nezuko, revising his strategy.
"That's risky! We don't know what will be in there!" Nezuko exclaimed, worried for her brother. "You are not going to just jump in recklessly!"
Tanjirou sighed, knowing he couldn't just put his sister to worry for him.
Water Breathing, Fourth Form: Striking Tide
Nezuko quickly slashed apart another opening the demon was about to make. To the surprise of both Tanjirou and Nezuko, there were three demons.
Tanjirou had to rush to Nezuko's side to grab hold of her, to prevent her from being sent down in the black aura.
"We need to calm down, let's try this." Tanjirou explained.
Water Breathing, Eight Form: Waterfall Basin
Water Breathing, Ninth Form: Splashing Water Flow, Turbulent
Tanjirou had successfully managed to strike down the three demons using this form, whilst Nezuko severed the lower torso of one of them.
"Brother, you are going to have to strike their vital organs and area to strike them down!" Nezuko exclaimed.
"I'm trying, but the sheer fact there's three of them makes it more difficult!" Tanjirou answered back.
"It must be a demon split into three." Nezuko told Tanjirou. "So if we focus on one of the demon bodies, the rest may fall."
"Indeed, we should find a way to split them up." Tanjirou exclaimed, as he realized the demon was trying to get the young girl in Kazumi's arms again.
"No you don't!" Nezuko exclaimed.
Water Breathing, Second Form: Water Wheel
Nezuko had managed to yet again cut the arms off the demon in protecting Kazumi.
"Stop interfering with my meal!" The demon exclaimed, chilling right out of his blood demon art. "The girl is fresh right now!"
"What does that mean?" Tanjirou asked.
"Isn't it obvious?!" The demon asked. "She's at the prime of her age for tastiness! Once they get pass sixteen, they they get less tasty for every moment that passes!"
To say what was said, Nezuko has incredibly pissed at what was just said.
Both Kazumi and Tanjirou both were also angry, but Tanjirou held his anger back a bit. Kazumi was more disgusted at what was told.
Still, the demon continued, "I've eaten quite a few sixteen year old girls in this town, but despite this, I'm so hungry! Not enough and not good enough for me!"
"You monster!" Nezuko exclaimed in anger, as she felt her veins bulging.
The demon continued to tease Kazumi, as he began to show the hairpins he accumulated over the course of his meals. Tanjirou knew he had to kill this demon.
Nezuko, however went for the kill first.
Water Breathing, Third Form: Flowing Dance
Unfortunately, Nezuko missed, and he sank into the ground.
Nezuko looked determined to finish the demon off, and proceeded to jump into the pool.
Tanjirou's eyes widened in shock, "Why Nezuko! Didn't you just say you wouldn't do the same for me?!"
Tanjirou exclaimed as he begun to worry for Nezuko.
Once Nezuko jumped in, she tensed at how bad it smelt.
"This demon has terrible odour…" Nezuko commented, as she continued to manage her way through the void of the demon's.
Eventually, she spotted the demon, who was clearly trying to grab onto her. Nezuko could feel the air thinning in the void, but thankfully, she was able to handle it due to the harsh mountain she trained on.
"You won't harm anyone ever again!" Nezuko angrily told the demon. "You are the scummiest of all demons!"
With that, Nezuko began her onslaught on the demon.
Tanjirou growled once he noticed the remnants of the other demon attacking him.
Managing to strike the demon right in the mouth, and pushing him into the wall, Tanjirou stared the demon down with his mask.
"That is enough, now." Tanjirou glared directly at the demon, pointing his blade. "Tell me about Muzan Kibutsuji."
"I cannot!" The demon exclaimed in shock and fear.
"And why is that?" Tanjirou asked, clearly not caring for his fear and rejection.
"B-Because…" The demon mumbled, "I can't!"
Tanjirou merely stared the demon down, "I don't care." He then raised the blade very close to the demon, and continued to cut the demon apart, ignoring the cries of mercy from the demon.
"Please! Stop! Just let me live… I cannot tell you anything about him if that's why you're here!" The demon begged.
Tanjirou just stared at the demon now, before chuckling in a deprecating way.
"Let you live? After what you did to those other girls? Don't you think they would be begging for the same thing? How do you think Kazumi feels?" Tanjirou asked, as he was clearly trying to get his spouse to wake up, before crying and tearing up.
"You ask for the very thing you denied others, and so, you will suffer." Tanjirou eyed the demon. "Unless you tell me about Muzan."
The demon gulped as he was clearly busy dealing with Nezuko.
"Please… I cannot." The demon mumbled.
"Then I'll kill you in the most painful way, through two hundred and forty cuts." Tanjirou said, not knowing nor caring the demon's eyes were widened and full of fear.
Tanjirou could tell despite this, he did not care for what he did. Tanjirou could not smell the regret or purity from this demon, and so, Tanjirou would not give him any mercy.
This was a scum of a demon, in Tanjirou's mind. He could only hope Nezuko was faring well whilst he was trying to coerce the demon to reveal anything.
"Why 240?!" The demon asked.
"It's simple, each cut represents the number of years for each victim of your own desires. You killed 15 young girls, with you saying they are no older than 16 years. So a simple multiplication method. If you cannot tell me about Muzan, then you can tell me about his subordinates." Tanjirou explained.
"O-Ok… All I know are the lower moons! One of them has a family, as has white hair!" The demon explained.
"Do you know anything about their whereabouts?" Tanjirou asked, cutting the demon's extremities, teeth, and spine to keep the demon immobilized.
"Oww… Some mountain…" The demon mumbled, "Mount Nagatumo..."
Tanjirou sighed, "Guess this is all the information I'll get. Goodbye." Was all Tanjirou told the demon as he sliced the head off. The demon disintegrated before he could yell.
Tanjirou looked towards the area where Nezuko jumped in, and in turn, was silently praying that Nezuko was alright.
He didn't get any information about Muzan, but he managed to at least get some on his subordinates.
Tanjirou sighed, "I only got some information about Muzan's subordinates… Maybe if I ask that subordinate, with time I can get more information."
Before Tanjirou knew it, he noticed Nezuko jump out of the pile.
"Nezuko! What happened?" Tanjirou asked.
"The demon mostly tried running and tiring me out, but I just dodged and slashed him away. Suddenly the demon just disintegrated before I could slice their neck." Nezuko explained.
"Guess the form I had outside was the real one…" Tanjirou mumbled.
"Do you think the demon went out anticipating we would charge into his blood demon art?" Nezuko asked.
"Not entirely false." Tanjirou explained.
Despite that, the demon was now gone, and Tanjirou silently prayed he was at least born a human in his next life. He may have done very bad things, and did not regret it, but Tanjirou would at least wish he would have a better life than what the circumstances gave him.
Kazumi was nearby, crying over the death of his fiancé, named Satoko.
Tanjirou sighed, knowing it was a tragedy. The sad reality was that he would not be able to save everyone, no matter what he did.
He was just going to have to accept them, and move on.
Nezuko went over to Kazumi, "Kazumi, I'm so sorry…"
Kazumi was still teary, before looking up.
"How are you feeling?" Tanjirou asked.
"I just lost my fiancé… And all you ask is if I'm alright?!" Kazumi then grabbed Tanjirou's shoulder. Nezuko looked angry in return, trying to grab his hand, but Tanjirou raised his good hand up to stop Nezuko.
"I wanted to ask, so that I could give you advice to move on." Was what Tanjirou meant, giving Kazumi a sad smile. He then took off his mask, showing his demonic eyes and marks, including his teeth.
Despite Kazumi's initial shock and nervousness, he saw the sad smile that encompassed Tanjirou's face. A smile full of loss, pain, and confusion. Kazumi could see very human eyes and the face of a human, even if Tanjirou in reality was a human.
He grabbed Kazumi's hands with his own, roughed up, and smiled again, "Regardless of what you've lost and how you've fallen, you have to keep living, as that's the beauty of our specices."
"What do you know?! You are just a kid!" Kazumi exclaimed.
"I may be, but that doesn't mean I know tragedy." Tanjirou told Kazumi. The eyes in Tanjirou said it all, and Kazumi felt immense guilt.
Despite Tanjirou's passive guilt, as he put back his mask, Kazumi tried to grab Tanjirou again, this time to apologize.
However, his hand was blocked by Nezuko. "You had enough to say to my brother. Move on."
She then gave Kazumi a hairtie, Satoko's.
"I hope you can remember her and cherish what moments you spent with her while you could. Hope you recover fine." Was all Nezuko told the boy before she too went with her brother.
"Did this happen to you as well?" Kazumi asked, and Nezuko remained still, for a second, before continuing to walk, and catching up with her brother.
But in that small action, Kazumi had his answer. He could see that Nezuko and Tanjirou had gone through a lot, and were clearly trying to help.
He shouldn't have gotten angry for them asking a simple question. He shouldn't have yelled, he should've thanked them.
But now, it was too late. Just as it was too late to ask for Satoko to come back.
"Both of their hands… Even if they're demons, I could see the hardness and roughness from the training they did…" Kazumi mumbled before he cried his tears into the night.
Tanjirou and Nezuko both could hear the cries of Kazumi, and as their respective crow came by to congratulate them for their mission, all Nezuko could think about was revenge.
"I'm going to kill you, Kibutsuji Muzan, not just for my sake, but for all the other people who have died in your hands." Nezuko mumbled, while Tanjirou was thinking someone else.
"How many people do you have to kill until you are satisfied, huh Muzan? Why must you cause premature death and suffering to those around you?" Tanjirou asked.
"I won't forgive you, for the damage you've caused this world. After all, you came into our house and killed our family, turning us into demons, so expect your karma to come for you." Tanjirou mumbled, as he gave an unexpected scowl, as his eyes had lost their glint briefly.
A.N / Well that is Chapter 10! Hope you enjoyed. Tanjirou and Nezuko both have had their first mission. In all honesty, I had no real difference or anything new regarding this. I thought it was fine how it was.
Also, I know Tokie is the one who is saved by the Swamp Demon, but in this story, Kazumi is given the dead body of Satoko, I know, I'm dark.
As for the next chapter, they will be doing something different, with a different timeline. In a sense, Tanjirou and Nezuko won't meet Muzan next, but instead the former demon moon, maybe. They will also have a different plot and different fight scenes, which I hope I can do well as time goes on. This may include a new demon character with a new blood demon art, but for now, I'll see what I come up with. Take care!
Character Profile:
Kazumi: Male, 17 years old.
- Status: Alive, Human
Satoko: Female, 16 years old.
- Status: Dead, Human
o COD: Eaten by Swamp Demon
Swamp Demon: Male
- Status: Dead, Demon
Abilities: Blood Demon Arts
Swamp Demon:
- Swamp Domain: Can summon a swamp dimsension to navigate freely, manifesting as a puddle traveling into the ground, allowing him to kidnap others through houses or without realization. Can also swim in the dimension to outmaneuver his victims.
- Self-Replication: Can split himself into three clones. The real clone if killed will kill the other clones, but each clone can function on their own, traveling in their own puddles.