Hinokami's Blessing
Chapter 11
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.
This is another warning, because especially for this chapter, there is a sudden plot that may make a bit of you upset. Please respect my decisions and how I plot the story, and how it'll develop individuals going forward.
Back with Tanjirou and Nezuko…
Tanjirou and Nezuko had just managed to kill the swamp demon, after quite the fight. While the blood demon arts for that demon was something surprising, in the end, both Nezuko and Tanjirou had managed to properly decapitate the demon.
Despite being unable to save Satoko, they had prevented more girls from suffering the same fate.
In the meantime, both Nezuko and Tanjirou were heading towards a mansion. Based on the information the crow gave them, they were now responsible for killing the demon killing people with a building.
Tanjirou and Nezuko sighed, knowing they had to continue their missions. They were glad they were demons in a sense that their stamina regeneration was not falling, and with their regeneration, they assumed that they would be fine regardless.
In truth, Tanjirou was somewhat tired. Despite grabbing a snack and sleeping, both individuals were a bit exhausted, at least mentally from the fight with the swamp demon.
Despite this, they will continue, and persevere.
Immediately upon finishing their fight with the swamp demon, Tanjirou and Nezuko made their way towards the mansion. Generally, both would take naps in between missions to recuperate themselves, however there were three catches.
One, they were demons, and couldn't be out in the sun. Two, they were demons, and could run for however long they wanted.
And three, they were demons, needing to avoid many people, especially other fellow demon slayers.
And so, Tanjirou and Nezuko continued on their journey, until the noticed the mansion straight up.
"Looks like we got here sooner than expected, huh?" Nezuko asked her brother, who merely nodded.
"I know, I didn't expect us to even make it this far so quickly… It's almost like our overall stamina improved, even as demons…" Tanjirou mumbled to himself and Nezuko, clearly just as surprised.
"Perhaps then, in spite of the difference, it seems demons too can become stronger like humans, it's almost intriguing…" Nezuko explained to herself, as if trying to decipher the mystery herself.
As much as the two wanted to go in, they had a lot of complications.
The first was that it was becoming day soon, and both knew if they remained in with a demon, that could potentially be dangerous if they needed to escape.
The other was the risk of other demon slayers showing up, which could be a problem. As a result, Tanjirou and Nezuko had to look around to make sure they were clear.
Once they felt confident, the two entered an hour before the sun rose. This would give them around four hours to completely search around to make sure the area was cleared of demons.
However, before the two could enter, they noticed something. A couple of individuals were on the outer end of the mansion.
"I smell something…" Tanjirou explained. Almost immediately did he feel something strange. He felt some form of force, like his instincts gnawing at him.
"What is happening?" Tanjirou asked himself. He looked, and realized that Nezuko was mostly fine, and she could tell something was happening to her brother.
"Brother, are you alright?" Nezuko asked her brother in concern. Because she did not have the strong smell like her brother, she wasn't able to detect what was causing her brother to act like this.
"Must…." Tanjirou was so confused. What was this gnawing feeling? It was like his instincts were telling him to run wild. What was happening?
Tanjirou suddenly began to run into the mansion without warning.
"No! Brother no!" Nezuko quickly chased after her brother, curious and confused as to what was causing her brother to act out.
Eventually, she caught up to her brother, but he was clearly struggling. Almost as if he had managed to stop himself from whatever had caused him from lashing out.
"Brother, what's going on?" Nezuko asked, and Tanjirou was growling, and salivating.
"What's wrong with my brother." Nezuko mumbled.
"Caw! That would be the result of a marechi blood!" Nezuko's crow then flew onto Nezuko's own shoulder.
"What is marechi blood?" She asked as she was holding Tanjirou tightly, while looking confusingly towards his brother.
"Caw! Marechi is a rare blood type that humans can have. They are deemed very valuable to demons because they are very nutritious. For your brother, his advanced smell is making it more difficult for him to withstand the marechi's entrancing stance!" The crow for Nezuko explained.
Nezuko didn't think of that. She forgot that her brother's smell must have made it more difficult for her brother to manage and control his own urges. She suddenly had a great respect for Tanjirou, for managing to control his urges, despite it being worse than Nezuko's own urges himself.
Nezuko, in the process of holding Tanjirou tightly, had accidentally taken off his mask, and she could see with her own eyes the demonic traits that Tanjirou was showing.
His nails had grown to pitch black, his teeth were showing their fangs, and the marks on his face were more virulent.
Whilst the base demon Tanjirou had two flame marks coming from his left forehead and right lower jaw, connecting to his nose, this form now had more flaming marks sporadically coming out of his face, and his hair was changing to crimson red.
"Brother! Snap out of it!" Nezuko called out to her brother, who was clearly struggling. In spite of this, he was managing to at least keep himself still, not moving nor doing anything violent or reckless.
It seemed that Tanjirou was still fighting his urges, even when it seemed like he had fallen for it a bit, or when he lost course of himself.
Nezuko sighed, knowing she too had to play this role, in the case that one of them went berserk.
"Brother, please, don't leave me down if you go through this path…" Nezuko cried, and Tanjirou seemed to be calming down.
The demonic form of Tanjirou seemed to be reverting back to his original self, and Nezuko gave a sigh of relief, as she had successfully stopped her brother from being feral.
"Brother? What happened?" Nezuko asked her brother once she noticed he was hyperventilating.
"Huf…" Tanjirou mumbled, as he was clearly struggling.
"If your struggling to get through this mansion, then you can stay over here and keep the area safe from other demons who may try to come in." Nezuko explained.
"No…" Tanjirou shook his head, "I… I can manage…" Tanjirou was persistent, but Nezuko did not want to risk this.
"I think you should stay back, brother, I don't know what to do if you lose control again…" Nezuko sadly told her brother. Tanjirou, for his part, smiled sadly.
"You know I cannot do that, Nezuko, for I shouldn't leave you alone." Tanjirou told his sister.
Nezuko sighed, "Alright fine, but please, take hold of yourself."
Tanjirou nodded, "You know I will."
Nezuko smiled, before she began to lead the way. Due to the surprising maze of the mansion, they both eventually had to split up.
Tanjirou sighed, as he knew they would have to split up eventually. Eventually, the two did split up.
Apparently, Tanjirou was able to smell some other demons around, and thus decided to take care of them as prepared. However, that was where some interesting phenomenon occurred.
Children. Children appeared out of nowhere, and Tanjirou freaked out, so loud that Nezuko came sprinting to make sure everything was alright.
"What's going on?!" Nezuko asked, freaking out a bit.
"Nothing, just scared that these children were in the middle of the mansion when there's a demon around." Tanjirou explained.
"Why are you all in here?" Nezuko quickly asked the children, who hid behind each other.
"We're looking for our older brother!" One of them explained.
"Why are you looking for your older brother in here? Don't you know what's in there?" Tanjirou asked the kids who nodded.
"A monster!" They exclaimed. "They took our older brother when we were just walking out at night."
"What does you brother wear?" Nezuko asked the siblings.
"Uhh, an orange kimono." The silbings told them.
"I see-" Before any of them could continue, a figure was pushed out towards them.
"Watch out!" Tanjirou exclaimed as he grabbed onto the sibligns and covered them.
"That was a body…" Nezuko told Tanjirou.
"What…"
"That was the body of someone… But I didn't see an orange kimono…" Nezuko informed them.
"I see, you two." He pointed to the siblings, "Can you give the person out there who died a proper burial? Nezuko and I need to solve and stop this demon from hurting your brother, alright?" Tanjirou asked the siblings.
Both of them nodded as they went out the mansion to bury the individual who had just died.
Nezuko and Tanjirou both stared, determined to stop this demon from killing more people. They needed to save the individual the demon had now.
Unfortunately, the siblings decided to come back into the mansion.
"What are you thinking?! Don't follow us back in here!" Tanjirou exclaimed to the siblings.
"We didn't know what to do!" The siblings exclaimed, "Plus. We're unsure if outside is safe, if those monsters can take our older brother!"
Tanjirou sighed, "Well, I guess you'll be safer around me than outside. But then again…"
"But then again what?"
Tanjirou shook his head, "Nevermind."
Before Nezuko and Tanjirou could finish their statements, a sudden bong echoed throughout the mansion, and following that, the walls began to shift around erratically.
"Woah!" Everyone within the room began to scream in surprise as they felt their bodies being moved around.
"The room around us changed…" Tanjirou mumbled, as he began to explore around.
"Nezuko?!" Tanjirou yelled, and heard a faint yeah from Nezuko.
"Are you alright?!"
"yeah…"
Tanjirou sighed before he yelled again, "I'm going to explore around, you do the same!"
"Don't worry about your brother, my sister will take care of him. After all, he both understand the connections between fellow siblings, alright?" Tanjirou told the girl. "What is your name?"
"Teruko…" The girl mumbled.
"Alright Teruko, I'll make sure you are alright here, ok?"
She nodded faintly, as she grabbed closely to Tanjirou's own arm.
Meanwhile, Nezuko looked around, with the brother who was clearly calmer compared to the girl.
"I'll find your sister for you." Nezuko confirmed to the boy who was clearly nervous, just for the sake of his sister.
As the two continued to look around, Tanjirou continued to ponder in his head. He had to focus, but for some reason, he felt his own head hurting.
He was smelling the same thing again, and whilst he was told about the possibility of it being a marechi. Tanjirou knew he would have to be careful and full of willpower to make sure he doesn't lose it again.
He was thankful that Nezuko was there to help him snap out of it.
Similar to Tanjirou, Nezuko too was getting some mild headache in her head.
The two siblings were getting headaches simultaneously, as they were rubbing their head as they continued to do so.
"Are you alright?" Both siblings would ask them simultaneously, and both Tanjirou and Nezuko gave them the same reaction.
"Yes, I'm fine." Tanjirou and Nezuko both smiled to the siblings. Both did not want to worry the siblings. "I managed to get quite the hits on him, but it only seems to anger him.
Once again, for both Nezuko and Tanjirou, the rooms began to change again.
"That was right after a bong…" Tanjirou mumbled, trying to understand everything that was going on.
Before he knew it, he spotted something that made his eyes widen.
Quickly, he closed the eyes of Teruko, as he managed to lead the girl away from the dead body of a boy, that thankfully was not their sibling.
However, that wasn't something he needed to do, as the room quickly changed again.
Once again, Tanjirou sighed, as he was annoyed by the blood demon art.
At least he was getting used to it.
However, he then began to smell blood again.
"Stay behind me." Tanjirou warned Teruko, who followed Tanjirou's advice.
However, to Tanjirou's relief, and especially Teruko, it was an individual, with an orange kimono.
"Kiyoshi!" "Teruko!"
Both siblings hugged each other closely, before Kiyoshi eyed Tanjirou.
"Who is that?" Kiyoshi asked.
Tanjirou Kamado had to keep himself in check, as whatever he smelt at the entrance of the mansion, was now amplified.
He continued to breathe in properly, so that he eventually was able to calm his desires and instincts down.
"I'm Tanjirou Kamado. I'm here to slay the demon who tried to abduct you. Let me check on your wounds." He explained, and whilst felt himself losing his instincts, he quickly managed to wrap up Kiyoshi up.
"So, how did you survive?" Tanjirou asked.
Kiyoshi sighed, "I only survived because the many demons were fighting and arguing over who got the eat me."
"I see." Tanjirou explained. "I guess for now, let's deal with the demon that manipulates the room. Getting the both of you out is a priority."
Both siblings nodded.
However, the risk of other demons made a dilemma for him. They were told to rescue these siblings from the demons.
"He called me a marechi." Kiyoshi revealed.
Tanjirou's eyes widened. "So that's why I almost lost myself… He's a marechi…"
Tanjirou shook his head, as he heard what his crow was explaining.
"Brother, help me…" Before Tanjirou could continue what he did, he suddenly heard the sound of his sister, Nezuko. His head simultaneously began to ache yet again, as he was now realizing he was hearing stuff, and this might've been the reason why.
"What…" Tanjirou mumbled. He wasn't sure if he heard it right, but he could have sworn he heard his sister talk to him.
But, he couldn't hear her, at least from the outside.
Was it happening, inside his head? Tanjirou was rather shocked when the countless pleas of his sister had managed to actually get inside his head.
"Nezuko?" Tanjirou thought in his head, closing his eyes and being surprised by the fact that Nezuko's own voice was echoing in his head.
"Brother? Can you hear me?" Nezuko asked.
"Yeah, I can, how can we talk to each other?" Tanjirou asked Nezuko.
"I don't know, but it happened, and I'm busy fighting the demon who's responsible for maneuvering the rooms. If you can find your way through to the main room, then you can find me fighting the demon, he goes by Kyogai, and apparently he was a former lower moon served by Muzan." His sister, Nezuko had told Tanjirou, through apparently mind connection.
That may have explained why both of their heads were hurting before entering the mansion, as both Tanjirou and Nezuko may have been developing the ability to communicate through each other's minds.
"We're going to have to run a test when we're alone to make sure this actually works." Tanjirou explained to Nezuko through her head.
How that works, Tanjirou wasn't sure, but what he did need to do, was rush to find and assist Nezuko with the former lower moon she had found.
"Wait, where are the siblings?" Tanjirou asked her sister, Nezuko.
"They're in the other room. They're being persistent, so I unfortunately cannot defend them, if you can get there and make sure they're alright, then that'll be golden." Nezuko told Tanjirou, who nodded in response.
Quickly managing to get past the rooms, he used his smell again to focus purely on the whereabouts of the demon. He had to make sure he could find them, and the sibling.
Before he knew it, he found Nezuko and the demon, but also the sibling. Quickly gathering the sibling and pushing him towards the rest, he allowed the three to hug each other, whilst he was in front, preventing Kyogai from seeing them.
"Well, looks like we got another fake demon slayer!" Kyogai exclaimed as he stared down towards Tanjirou. Tanjirou could see the remnants of marks across this demon, which he could assume came from Nezuko.
"Boy! Do you know what you are preventing me from?" The former demon moon asked.
Tanjirou nodded, "A marechi?"
"Yes!" Kyogai exclaimed. "I used to be amongst the most powerful of all demons, with the demon progenitor! Until he booted me out because I was weak!"
Both Tanjirou and Nezuko flinched once they heard this.
"This guy was actually in the presence of Muzan. He has the information that may be crucial for us!" Both Nezuko and Tanjirou thought as they flinched once realizing they accidentally were communicating to each other.
"It going to take some time to get used to his…" Nezuko commented, as Tanjirou quickly shook his head, trying to focus on Kyogai.
"I must get that marechi!" Kyogai exclaimed in rage, as he was beginning to get furious over Tanjirou and Nezuko.
Tanjirou sighed as he charged Kyogai alongside Nezuko.
Water Breathing, First Form: Water Surface Slash
Tanjirou stared towards the demon with a single slash, trying to lower the distance between he and Kyogai.
Unfortunately, a simple bong on the drum caused the room to shift and for Tanjirou to lose his balance, falling painfully over the counter.
Grunting, Tanjirou got up.
"I supposed I should have told you about that…" Nezuko mumbled, as she quickly adapted to the conditions.
Tanjirou sighed as he merely got up and eyed the demon,
"Alright, let's see what else he's capable of." Tanjirou mumbled.
"I've tried to get him off of the mansion, but to no avail." Nezuko explained.
Tanjirou sighed, "If the worse comes, we can focus on bringing the kids out since they've been reunited."
As the two continued their overall fighting against Kyogai, they had the problem of failing to get close to him.
"We're going to have to go with the momentum in which he changes the room." Tanjirou told Nezuko who nodded in agreement.
"I agree, we're going to need to use our breathing techniques to make it work." Nezuko explained further as she was debating over everything.
And so, as they stared at Kyogai, even the demon himself was confused.
"What are you both thinking?" The former demon moon asked, clearly confused.
"How to slice you down." Nezuko bluntly admitted as she once again charged at the demon.
Blood Demon Art: Drumming
"Rookie mistake!" Kyogai yelled out as he bonged his tsuzumi drums.
He then lashed out, and a massive slash mark began to manifest itself across the room the two were in.
Thankfully, both individuals dodged the attack.
"This demon is hard…" Nezuko commented.
"He will be, he's a former demon moon!" Tanjirou told his sister as they both got up. "Just follow the technique."
And so, Tanjirou eyed the demon, Kyogai, yet again and maneuveredhimself closer towards him. Once he got close, and the demon bonged his drums, Tanjirou saw the chance.
Water Breathing, Second Form: Water Wheel
Spinning himself in circles to preserve his momentum, Tanjirou successfully managed to hold himself together and slash the demon, Kyogai in the torso, breaking one of his drums, the one on his left shoulder.
Nezuko followed the same technique, and sliced through Kyogai's arm, continuing to use her movement to then dodge any counterattack Kyogai could use.
"Gah! You bastard!" Kyogai exclaimed. "Now I can't use that!"
"Well that's too bad." Tanjirou commented, as he continued his onslaught.
Kyogai, for his part looked angrier, and thus looked at the slayers.
"You will regret this." Kyogai explained.
Blood Demon Art: Rapid Drumming
Withing the span of a second, Kyogai had moved his hands so rapidly that Tanjirou couldn't tell where he was moving his hands. It was a struggle, and whilst he was trying to keep himself in balance, he eventually lose himself.
However, Nezuko wouldn't let this fall, and she took the chance, to strike him down now or never.
Water Breathing, Tenth Form: Constant Flux
Nezuko was using the momentum of her technique to constantly swipe across Kyogai's body. Of course, it was difficult due to the constant change in the room structure, but she was hoping the constant movement she was making would help negate the demon art.
With a mighty swing, Nezuko had managed to cut Kyogai across his torso, slicing two of his tsuzumi drums. Kyogai at this point was angry and slashed at the tsuzumi drum, the severed one on his navel, which caused a 3-claw slash mark to appear on Nezuko's neck.
The girl yelled in shock and pain, and this caused Tanjirou to freak out.
"Nezuko!" Tanjirou exclaimed in shock, only for him to be hit by multiple slash marks across his torso and arms, causing him too to cough up blood.
Thankfully, the wound would close, but it was too slow. They were not regenerating as quickly as they were hoping.
"Why aren't we regenerating?" Tanjirou asked himself and Nezuko, as he was clearly confused as to why their wounds were healing.
"It may be because we're exhausted… We haven't slept nor ate ever since the last mission." Nezuko thought.
Tanjirou sighed, "That would make sense. Without the energy to heal ourselves, we may find ourselves cut up and bleeding to the point of exhaustion…"
"I don't think we'll die, but rather be exhausted and be forced to rest. That means either lashing out for human blood, or sleeping." Tanjirou theorized. "This could be a problem…"
Nezuko looked on, a bit apprehensive.
"Do we have the energy to take down this demon?" Nezuko asked her brother.
"I don't know…" Tanjirou told her back, "Either we'll have to evacuate with the siblings, and come back when we're better equipped, or defeat him swiftly and now."
"Very well." Was all Nezuko told her brother, as the two, with their injuries, continued their onslaught.
Water Breathing, Third Form: Flowing Dance
Water Breathing, Ninth Form: Splashing Water Flow
Tanjirou and Nezuko knew that they had to give it their full out, push past their limits, and so they did.
Nezuko bombarded Kyogai from the right, and Tanjirou to the left.
Kyogai, was clearly pissed that these two were continuing to pursue him.
Blood Demon Art: Rapid Drumming
"Just leave me alone!" Kyogai exclaimed in anger, as he began to rapidly bong the tsuzumi drums, trying to get the two demon slayers away from him.
"I'll give it to them, they're clearly stubborn and strong, but that doesn't mean I'll let them slay me!" Kyogai thought to himself, as he unleashed a new move he'd been working on.
Blood Demon Art: Sound Amplification of Drumming
As Kyogai continued to bong his tsuzumi drums, to both Nezuko and Tanjirou, the noises in which the drums were amplified, and now Nezuko and Tanjirou were being blasted by the sounds of Kyogai's tsuzumi drums.
"Argh!" Nezuko yelled in pain as she put her hands to her ears, whilst Tanjirou grunted, trying to focus on Kyogai's own neck.
"He's not giving up, no matter." Kyogai commented to Tanjirou, "Enjoy being deaf!"
He once again bonged the tsuzumi drum so loud, that it caused a pop, and Tanjirou was sent back as he also slashed his navel drum, causing Tanjirou to be flung back, alongside his hearing to be shot.
Tanjirou grunted, as he stared down Kyogai, or at least tried to, as he continued to rapidly bong his tsuzumi drums.
"Brother, I don't think it's worth it, we'll have to evacuate, and come back for him when we're stronger…" Nezuko admitted, whilst Tanjirou shook his head.
"I refuse to." Tanjirou shook his head, as he got up. He couldn't really hear the outside noise, but that didn't matter to him. He had to finish this demon off.
Panting, and sighing, Tanjirou looked down to his sister. The neck and leg wound were still there, but she had managed to land a good couple of strikes on Kyogai.
"Nezuko, protect the kids, I'll finish him off, right here, and right now." Tanjirou told Nezuko, who seemed very worried for her brother.
While her neck and leg were still healing, Tanjirou was in a worse condition from her, especially since his hearing was damaged from Kyogai's drumming sound.
"Are you sure?" Nezuko asked, as she too was panting.
"I'm sure." Tanjirou told his sister as he eyed Kyogai once again.
"I will defeat you, and you will tell me everything about Muzan." Tanjirou told himself as he once again closed the distance between himself and Kyogai.
"Nezuko, can you do me one more favour?" Tanjirou asked.
"Yes, what is it?" Nezuko asked. Unfortunately, Tanjirou's own ears were so damaged by the sheer noise that he was unable to hear what Nezuko was saying.
"Nezuko, can you speak through this? I cannot hear you, my ears are damaged for now." Tanjirou explained through his mind, hoping she could understand him.
"Yeah, I can hear you, and sure. What is the favour you need me to do?" Nezuko asked her brother.
"I need you to cut the arms off of Kyogai. If we can do that, we can prevent him from hitting his drums repeatedly, or at least stall for time." Tanjirou explained.
"Are you sure this'll work?" Nezuko asked her brother, and he nodded.
"I'll make sure it works." Was all Tanjirou told Nezuko.
Nezuko sighed, eyeing the nervous kids, "Just remain here for a bit longer, alright?"
Both the siblings all nodded as they hovered over, making sure they would be safe, as Nezuko once again entered the fray.
"Which part of this do you realize, you'll never learn!" Kyogai angrily told the two. As he once again went for his drums
However, before he could, a blur appeared.
Water Breathing, Fourth Form: Striking Tide
Before Kyogai could even have the chance to strike down on his drums, he found both of his arms severed by Nezuko.
"Gah! You bastard!" Kyogai exclaimed in shock as he felt his limbs healing, albeit slowly. He tried to attack Nezuko, only for her to back off, and have a new individual go on the offensive.
Total Concentration – Water Breathing, Ninth Form: Splashing Water Flow
Tanjirou took the opportunity to slash more of the demon apart, and as he breathed in properly, adjusting himself to the breathing constant as he eyed Kyogai in the eye.
He easily cut through the body of Kyogai, the demon was now incapable of using his blood demon arts.
Kyogai was shocked, and for the first time, he began to freak out, trying to reattach is limbs.
However, for Tanjirou, as he was breathing in his constant form, all the while being deaf for now, his vision flickered again.
Tanjirou could have sworn he could have seen the insides of Kyogai's body, specifically his veins and bones, but that was all he saw for the brief second his vision seemingly flashed before his very eyes.
"What is going on?" Tanjirou asked himself. Despite this, he continued breathing, and using that brief moment he had of what appeared to be see through vision, he cut through Kyogai's entire body, from his left hip to his right shoulder. Kyogai was now a cut up portion of what his entire body was made of.
Kyogai panted. Without the marechi, his energy wouldn't be refilled, and this regeneration would be slowed to a halt. He was a former lower moon, but even then, he could only go so long before needing to eat.
And with the boy preventing him from at least reattaching his limbs, he couldn't do anything.
"H-How… How did you beat me so easily…" Kyogai asked himself, but it was clear that he was eying Tanjirou.
The boy, whom merely was still deaf, as his healing was shot from the lack of energy, now needed Nezuko to communicate with him.
"He's asking you how you defeated him so quickly." Nezuko told her brother.
"It's simple. Since your blood demon art requires you to use your hands, it was as simple as removing them to negate it." Tanjirou explained, as he approached Kyogai.
Kyogai was merely shocked at the sudden turn of events. One moment, he had seemingly managed to remove these two away from him. The next moment, in a single move, they had managed to subdue him.
Was he always this weak? Kyogai cursed himself.
For Tanjirou and Nezuko, they both could smell the regret in the demon as he begun to ponder everything. In the end, it was futile. As much as he tried, he had failed to reform himself into a new lower moon.
He was defeated by a mere boy and girl, who had successfully prevented him from consuming a marechi. All he could do was curse his life, and everything. He couldn't even be mad at the two who killed him. He knew the risks of what he did when he was going after a marechi.
"That blood demon art of his… Was incredible…" Nezuko mumbled as she was panting a bit, tired.
"The siblings…" Tanjirou mumbled as he went to make sure they were alright. Thankfully, it seemed that they were. Even then Tanjirou would have smelled if anything happened, especially with his sensitive smell to the marechi.
"Did… Did that kid say my blood demon art was incredible?" Kyogai asked, as he felt his body failing to regenerate.
Nezuko nodded, "He did."
To Nezuko's unexpected surprise, the demon began to smile. "T-That's a relief."
"Can you tell us anything about Muzan?" Nezuko asked Kyogai, who's eyes widened/
"Why would I tell you?" Kyogai asked.
"It's very simple. Aren't you mad at him for denying you a place in the twelve kizuki?" Nezuko asked.
Kyogai nodded, "Of course, but do you know of the curse?"
"What curse?" Nezuko asked.
Kyogai sighed, "Why do I have to tell the both of you… If we say his name, our body explodes and dies!"
Nezuko's eyes widened at that, before she chuckled, "Nice try. Now tell us the real reason." She said pointing her blade to Kyogai.
"I-I'm serious!" Kyogai exclaimed. "I have no reason to lie!"
Nezuko rolled her eyes, "I'm sorry, but this is something I cannot believe. What else can you tell me?"
Kyogai looked a bit distressed, "He can look into our eyes!"
"Muzan?" Nezuko asked, to which Kyogai nodded.
Nezuko sighed, "What else can you tell me? What about the current lower moons, huh?"
Kyogai continued, "One of them is in a mountain, with a pretend family. I cannot really tell you if they are accurate now, because lower moons come and go. As for Upper Moons, they usually stay."
"Very well, but what about this saying his name causes you to blow up?" Nezuko asked.
"His cells infect our body… If we ever say his name as a form of rebellion against him, the cells self-implode, and with that, our body!" Kyogai exclaimed.
Nezuko sighed, clearly not believing it. Eventually, she took off her mask to show Kyogai her demonic features.
"I too am a demon, and yet I can say Muzan's name just fine." Nezuko explained.
"H-How! Don't show yourself! He may see you through my eyes!" Kyogai exclaimed in nervousness. Nezuko quickly put back on her mask, and eventually asked him again.
"Are you lying about Muzan?" Nezuko asked.
Kyogai shook his head, "No! Though he usually likes to look through the eyes of his current twelve kuzuki's. Not his former or the demons below. He has not time for the common demon like us."
"Is that so?" Nezuko asked. "Well then, you know where he used to be."
Kyogai backtracked, "Well, he may have moved…"
Nezuko shook her head, "I can tell you are lying, you know."
Kyogia panicked, "I-I can't…"
"Why…" Kyogia mumbled.
"I'm sorry, but whilst your blood demon art was incredibly, as my brother had said, we both agree that we cannot allow you to kill innocent humans." Nezuko spoke.
"Indeed." Tanjirou agreed. It took time, but some of his injuries had healed, including his hearing.
"I cannot forgive you for what you did to everyone and to the humans you've killed, however." He then clasped his hands together, "I can only pray you are human and have a better life in the next one." Tanjirou spoke.
Kyogia's eyes widened, and before he knew it, Nezuko decapitated Kyogia.
As the two wished the former moon a better life, they eventually left the mansion. They patted the siblings, telling them the demon was dealt with.
Eventually, the two brought the siblings out of the mansion. By all means, it was a job well done for the both of them.
"Alright, no be safe and don't be around strange places, alright?" Tanjirou asked the siblings who then nodded.
"That's good! Now see you!" With that, Tanjirou and Nezuko were on their way. The siblings were even nice enough to give Tanjirou some human food that they had. Some small snacks, that they apparently found in the mansion, and gave it.
It helped Tanjirou immensely with gathering his energy back. Unfortunately, Nezuko still needed some energy, and thus she was to sleep soon.
As the two begun to leave the mansion, they were interrupted by a sudden, but severe call from the crow. Tanjirou was carrying a sleeping Nezuko on his back, before a crow came down, frantically.
"Caw! Head back to Urokodaki's house! Reports of a strong demon attacking Urokodaki! Giyu Tomioka, Tanjirou Kamado, and Nezuko Kamado are to head back immediately! This is an emergency!"
"What…" Tanjirou mumbled, his eyes widened, as he immediately began running making sure his sister was on his back. It was currently night, so they did not have much time before the demon attacking Urokodaki's house was to flee.
And so, as fast as they could, ignoring the weight of Nezuko on his back, and using the food and energy he had been given to make his way towards Urokodaki's as fast.
Upon the way, Tanjirou noticed Giyu also making his way back. Once he was close enough to the house, he could smell everything.
"Giyu!" Tanjirou exclaimed, and to his shock he saw a rather concerned and stressed out Giyu.
"Have you two just gotten here?" Giyu asked, and Tanjirou nodded.
As the two continued to get closer into Urokodaki's house, Tanjirou began to smell something. This act, Giyu noticed from Tanjirou.
"What do you notice, boy?" Giyu asked, clearly a bit hesitant to ask.
"Blood… That's not good!" Tanjirou exclaimed as he quickly began to run into the house. "Blood! Let's go Giyu!" Tanjirou ran as fast as he could, and Giyu was not too far behind him.
When Tanjirou saw Giyu passing by him, he realized he was using the total concentration constant.
"I have to push my limits! Even if my body is tired from using it to get to the mountain! Just a bit more!" Tanjirou exclaimed in his head, "Nezuko, please wake up, Urokodaki needs us!"
"Zzzzz." Nezuko was fast asleep.
To his surprise, he managed to catch up to Giyu, and the smell of blood became stronger.
Tanjirou began to have bad memories of the last time he returned to a house, and smelled blood.
He was hoping, what he was thinking, was not true.
Unfortunately, it was…
Giyu's lack of movement when he opened the door, and the overall condition of the house, said it all.
"G-Giyu?" Tanjirou mildly asked, also terrified to look, but seeing the reaction, and everything, Tanjirou knew what happened. Taking in a deep breathe, he investigated the house, that was badly damaged.
Only, to find the broken body of Urokodaki. The area around his left eye had been removed, and both of his legs were missing. His left arm was severed, and he was bleeding out through his chest
Tanjirou could smell the angst in Giyu, the anger, the rage, everything.
Tanjirou, himself, could also smell the sheer amount of blood. Some of it wasn't even Urokodaki's, but rather, a demon. A very strong demon, that smelled similar to that demon he briefly fought with right after the Final Selection situation.
"It must've been one of those Upper moon demons they were talking about…" Tanjirou thought, as he was getting very emotional.
He looked to Giyu in concern. Right now, he was smelling the person who felt that they lost everything. A person who had lost and was becoming full of hatred. A hatred, that needed to be filled somewhere. Whether this would bring Giyu down a path of hatred against demons, Tanjirou wasn't sure.
Giyu lowered his head, and gritted his teeth. He was getting fueled by rage, and no doubt, was confused and angry. Tanjirou worried for him, and was clearly wanting to do something.
The sad thing is, Tanjirou had experienced this before, too. His family…
He had experienced this tragedy again, and this time, all he could do, was stare at Giyu's expression. The poor guy seemed devastated, and seemed to be losing it.
Just like with his family, he had returned home, to find his family dead from a demon attack. Giyu never talked about his family, but to see his mentor dead like that would have shot him mentally. Tanjirou knew this.
Tanjirou put a hand on Giyu's shoulder, silently telling him he would help however he could. But even Tanjirou knew that whatever he could do to help Giyu, was limited.
"Giyu…?" Tanjirou asked Giyu softly, trying to get him out of his trance. "L-Let's get you away, I-I'll bury the body."
"No." Giyu spoke at last. When Tanjirou could see the eyes in Giyu, there was no emotion. Tanjirou couldn't smell any emotion. He couldn't smell the hope in Giyu anymore. Any small semblance, like the one he showed when he had found them as demons, was gone. "I'll bury him…"
Tanjirou could only look at Giyu, "Please… Let me help you…"
"No. I cannot…" Giyu mumbled.
"Please… Giyu… He was my mentor and teacher too…" Tanjirou told Giyu softly.
"I… Alright… fine…" Giyu said at last. Tanjirou could see the hopelessness in Giyu. Also, by smelling it. He was seriously worried for Giyu.
"Giyu…" Tanjirou put a hand to Giyu, "Don't run away from people… Okay?"
"What am I supposed to do? When everyone I care about is killed by demons? The only reason you and Nezuko are alive and my friends may be because you both turned to demons." Giyu theorized. "Why am I still living?"
"Why can't I die like them?" Giyu cried out softly.
Tanjirou's heart broke for Giyu after hearing that.
"Regardless of that, you must learn to live your life. Honour Urokodaki's memory. He was an amazing pillar right?" Tanjirou asked, "They wouldn't want you to die after everything."
Giyu nodded, clearly feeling a bit of insecurity about the topic of a pillar.
"Well, then be the best pillar you could be, for him, alright?" Tanjirou told Giyu, who looked down.
All Giyu could respond was, "I shouldn't be a pillar… it should've been him… I don't deserve to be alive, or with the rest of the Hashira…"
For a second, Tanjirou could see a small amount of tears coming from Giyu. In a bid of wanting to make him feel better, and by smelling his state of mind, all Tanjirou could do was hug Giyu, after softly putting Nezuko down to sleep, of course.
"He smells… so broken…Giyu… What have you gone through to be like this… Why do the hardest working people get trampled on so much… Why do the kindest people suffer the most…" Tanjirou was asking so many questions, "What else did you have to witness, Giyu…?"
Sakonji Urokodaki… was dead. Despite being a former demon slayer, despite being Tanjirou, Giyu, and Nezuko's own teacher. He too, met the same fate as Tanjirou's family.
He too, met the same fate as Giyu's sister. He too, met the same fate as Giyu's only friends.
All because of demons…
Tanjirou was shocked.
Giyu, was devastated.
Nezuko… Was sleeping.
A.N / Well… That end was kind of hard to write. I had to make sure Giyu's reaction to Urokodaki's death was sincere and believable. For those wondering what's the point of Urokodaki's death, we will figure out soon, however, like I said, the entire plot changes, as well as characters. In particular, we will see a different part of Giyu, Tanjirou, and Nezuko in this story now. As for the demon that killed Urokodaki, it'll obviously be an Upper Moon, as they are designed to be able to kill a Hashira, when a Lower Moon cannot.
Also, I know I mixed up the arcs a bit, as Tanjirou and Nezuko were originally meant to meet Tamayo and Yushiro before going in the mansion, and meets Zenitsu and Inosuke, but again, Tanjirou and Nezuko technically got their a bit sooner.
That doesn't mean Zenitsu and Inosuke don't meet, they actually are with two other demon slayers, and they still have some demons to clear from the mansion. They just won't be fighting the former lower moon, Kyogai.
However, next chapter, we will see two major shifts in the story, or two major plots, that I think will be fun to write: First, Tanjirou and Nezuko meeting Tamayo and Yushiro, and the aftermath, of Giyu's thoughts, and the Hashira's reaction to this. Btw, and this is something I don't mind sharing, but I plan that Upper Moon Five, Gyokko, is the culprit.
Character Profile:
Giyu Tomioka: Male, 19 years old.
- Status: Alive, Human.
- Height: 5'10" (178cm)
- Weight: 155Ibs
Sakonji Urokodaki: Male, unknown age.
- Status: Dead, Human.
o CoD: Murdered by Upper Moon demon.
- Height: 5'8 (172cm)
- Weight: 140Ibs
Kiyoshi: Male, 17 years old.
- Status: Alive, Human.
Shoichi: Male, 15 years old.
- Status: Alive, Human.
Teruko: Female, 13 years old.
- Status: Alive, Human.
Kyogai: Male, unknown age.
- Status: Dead, Demon.
- Height: 5'11" (180cm)
- Weight: 174Ibs
Abilities: Blood Demon Arts
Kyogai:
Drumming: Containing 6 drums on different parts of his body, Kyogai can manipulate his surroundings.
Rapid Drumming: Can move his hands at superhuman speeds to quickly dizzy his foes.
Sound Amplification: Can slam his drums with his hands with such sound it can reach high frequency intensities that may rupture the eardrums of humans and demons, causing deafness and hearing loss for anyone too close to Kyogai.
- Kyogai is immune to all of his own blood demon arts.