Hinokami's Blessing
Hinokami's Blessing
Chapter 19
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.
Tanjirou's POV
Within the entire time of training and gathering within Asakusa, both Nezuko and Tanjirou had both continued to train and hone their skills.
In particular, Nezuko was in the process of learning what seemed to be a new breathing style althogether.
While Tanjirou and Nezuko both were confused about why Nezuko suddenly developed a new breathing style, they were excited.
As for Tanjirou, he focused on his total concentration breathing constant. He had, for the most recent time, in addition to his blood demon art, also was somewhat confused about the flickering of his vision.
While he originally thought it was just giving him the opportunity to see through demons. However, as his overall concentration continued to perform better than before, he ultimately realized that his vision would occasionally flicker, and he could have sworn that he felt the world around him be slower.
The result gave him the extra advantage regarding fighting against demons. When he asked Nezuko about it, he unfortunately got nothing.
Nezuko seemed confused, but did explain that sometimes she felt her infrared vision peak in helping her avoid many blood demon arts. It was a sense of preparation for Nezuko.
In a sense, both Tanjirou and Nezuko were able to anticipate any demon's attacks.
For now, the two continued their training, until they heard a characteristic caw.
It was Giyu's crow.
"Caw!"
Both Tanjirou and Nezuko eyed the crow, as they were finally seeming able to go on missions.
"What does Giyu want from us?" Nezuko asked, once she noticed Giyu's note on the crow.
"It seems he wants us to meet on a Mugen Train at this date, exactly…" Tanjirou notified Nezuko, who seemed relieved.
"Finally…" Nezuko mumbled, "We can finally be able to slay other demons…"
Tanjirou chuckled at his sister's own endeavors. "We do have to make sure we're actually there."
Nezuko nodded, "Indeed, for if we aren't there, this'll be the first mission we fail."
"Especially so, considering everything… So we need to make it to that train." Tanjirou emphasized, clearly wanting them to understand the severity of the mission they were getting themselves in.
"But still! I hope one of them are a twelve kizuki! I'm so jealous you managed to kill one of them! I want to be able to do that!" Nezuko explained.
"I'm pretty sure you'll be able to do so, trust me, Nezuko. You are capable." Tanjirou smiled, patting Nezuko's head.
And so, the two individuals make their way towards the Mugen Train, it was Tanjirou who had to ultimately stop Nezuko from getting too far away.
"Nezuko… Let's put our blades underneath us…" Tanjirou explained.
"Why?" Nezuko asked.
"The guards seem to not like them." Tanjirou quickly whispered to Nezuko.
Nezuko eyed the guards, and she quickly realized he was onto something. "You make a point… Alright…"
And so, the two quietly put their blades underneath cover so that the guards wouldn't deem them suspicious.
"Seems we'll need to buy some tickets, did you bring money?" Nezuko asked.
Tanjirou nodded, as he was in the line managing to buy the two of them some tickets.
Once they got their tickets, they've managed to properly identify the Mugen Train.
In particular, Tanjirou and Nezuko, both were thankfully wearing new masks that they've recently managed to get while the stayed back in Asakusa.
"Aren't those the two girls we've met back in the Mountain?" Nezuko asked Tanjirou through their minds.
"Y-Yeah… They are… That's going to be a problem…" Tanjirou responded as the two thought how they're own mission may jeopardize them.
"Do you think Giyu did this purposely?" Nezuko asked.
"I don't think so. Maybe he didn't anticipate us managing to be exactly within their vision…" Tanjirou reassured Nezuko. "He probably has faith in us being able to keep ourselves away from them, so it's our job to do that."
Nezuko sighed, "I guess so…"
As the two sat down, they decided, now would be the best time to relax.
"These trains are very cool…" Nezuko mumbled to her own self, which Tanjirou heard.
"I thought a train was a large place where people live…" Tanjirou responded.
Nezuko chuckled, "I literally thought a train was a giant body of nature, haha…"
The two demon siblings chuckled at the thought.
Whilst the two demon siblings continued to talk to each other about the entire topic of what a train exactly is, they were spotted, specifically by two individuals.
The first, was Kanao Tsyuri, and the other, was Mukago.
Both, were unfortunately seen as a problem for Tanjirou.
As a result, Kanao turned to Shinobu and Rengoku, with the others of Inosuke, and Zenitsu listening in to the conversation. This also included Zenitsu sensing the two, as his hearing was screaming at him of demons around him.
"Shinobu, those demons are here…" Kanao explained, and Shinobu perked up.
"What? Where?" Shinobu asked.
Kanao pointed at the two demons wearing masks near the end. They were clearly trying to stay away from them, but they did not take into account for Kanao's superhuman vision, nor Zenitsu's superhuman hearing.
"Those two feel weird… maybe they're demons…" Zenitsu explained, "But I recognize one of them…"
Rengoku chuckled, "So we got ourselves some demons on the train! Perhaps this is the threat Ubuyashiki's been talking about!"
"No, they're not a threat." Shinobu explained, "They're not dangerous."
"How so?" Rengoku, "They're demons."
"Our best bet would be the capture them and take them back to the estate for further observation. They've earned some title for not being slayed by demon slayers on sight." Shinobu explained.
Rengoku chuckled, "Such nonsense! Let's see how these two demons function.
As Rengoku approached Tanjirou and Nezuko, both could tell that they were in trouble.
"Shit, the demon slayer's coming for us!" Tanjirou exclaimed.
"Do the plan we've discussed!" Nezuko responded, as she quickly gripped onto Tanjirou.
"Are you alright, sister?" Tanjirou asked Nezuko out-loud as they began to act out a nervous breakdown and distress call.
"N-No, I feel like I'm going to throw up…" Nezuko responded, as she pretended to gag.
"Alright, let's get you to a washroom, then." Tanjirou helped Nezuko up as Rengoku was walking towards her.
"Excuse you two!" Rengoku called out.
Almost immediately, Tanjirou could smell that he and Nezuko were in trouble. He could smell the power that radiated from this Hashira.
He was more powerful than the butterfly girl, but that was saying a lot, since they enough already smelt powerful.
"Yes?" Tanjirou asked.
"I'm going to need to talk to the both of you." Rengoku confronted the two demons, as they were clearly trying to get out of the train.
"This was a bad idea."
"I'm sorry sir, but my sister needs to go to the washroom, she's feeling dizzy and sick from the motion of this train." Tanjirou explained.
He didn't even know what a train was, he just learned, and he was hoping whatever he made up was an actual thing that made sense.
For the time being, he and Nezuko quickly made their way out, only for Rengoku to grab Nezuko's arm.
"Ack!" Nezuko yelped in pain at the sudden strength of her arm being grabbed by the Flame Hashira.
At this, Tanjirou was getting angry. To see a pillar, or someone for that matter, hurting his sister, was very vital for Tanjirou. It was serious. He couldn't let that happen.
"How dare you!" Tanjirou yelled in anger, "You shouldn't be treating a kid you don't know like that! I should have you arrested for kidnapping and assault!"
Tanjirou, with the strength of his demonic traits, alongside the Flame Pillar being shocked by the sudden claim, gave Tanjirou enough time to pull Nezuko off of Rengoku.
"Let's go Nezuko, while we have the chance." Tanjirou told Nezuko as he motioned for her to run out the train.
It wasn't worth staying on the train.
Rengoku wanted to chase after the two demons, but considering the people who was noticjng the commotion, many giving Rengoku a dirty glare, the result of Tanjirou's claim, he mumbled an apology, before sitting down.
"I was looking for someone, and I mistaken them for someone else… Sorry…" Rengouku apologized to the group as a justification and apology for his actions. For the most part, it seemed to work, and many of them went back to their own thoughts and minds as the train went on.
Once Rengoku sat down, alongside the rest of his squad, he sighed.
"I'll have to catch those two demons… The way I went after them was not acceptable if they really are what Shinobu claims…" And so Rengoku sat down.
While he remained silent, that all changed when he saw food.
"I'll have 80 of them!" Rengoku exclaimed, as his tone immediately went from somewhat confused to excited.
"Uh! Are you sure you can pay for them?" The individual serving them asked.
"Of course!" Rengoku smiled, bringing out some money, "Now…"
After the individual serving him came back, he eventually begun to eat.
"Delicious! Umai!"
As the flame Hashira continued to eat, the rest of their crew noticed what seemed to be the conductor.
"I'll be taking and inspecting your tickets." The conductor explained in a weird, tired tone as he continued to do what he considered was done business.
"Enjoy your trip." The conductor went on his way.
However, Rengoku seemed to have noticed something.
"Wait a second. Excuse me sir!" Rengoku quickly got up, as a grotesque demonic individual appeared from the backside, which caused quite a stir within many of them.
The crowd began to freak out, but Rengoku took action.
"So, the blood demon art was hiding that? That was hard to sense! But considering you are trying to hurt others, I have no choice but to slice you down with my blade!" Rengoku told the demon.
Total Concentration – Flame Breathing, First Form: Unknowning Fire
Rengoku quickly dashed towards the target as fast as he could, then striking the demon with a slash right at the demon's neck, perfectly decapitating the demon.
The entire squad of Kanao, Shinobu, Zenitsu, and Inosuke all looked at Rengoku, proud of his quick action.
"Good job, Rengoku." Shinobu smiled, as they managed to sit back down.
Unfortunately, it seemed that everyone within the train, suddenly began to sleep, quite on time for the train itself to become unstable.
For the time being, Nezuko and Tanjirou quickly made their way to the front of the train.
"Wait… Nezuko, are you seeing what I'm seeing?" Tanjirou asked, as he then pointed to the three figures outside.
"Yes…What the…" Nezuko mumbled, as she was truly confused. "Are they all lower moons?"
Tanjirou looked closer, "They are…"
Nezuko grinned, "Finally, it's time for me to get them!"
"Nezuko wait!" Tanjirou exclaimed, but Nezuko went ahead.
However, the train then wobbled and became unstable. This caused Tanjirou to lose his balance, and he fell back into the train.
All the while, Nezuko was out on her own, pursuing the demon.
Nezuko's POV
"Tanjirou!" Nezuko exclaimed, as she then growled, feeling the train come to a halt.
"This is bad… What is happening?" Nezuko asked, before she saw one of the figures jump down.
"What is this?" Nezuko looked to the front of the train, seeing two individuals watching back at Nezuko.
"Wakuraba, you deal with her, I need to focus on crippling the demon slayers and Hashira." The Lower Moon One spoke to Wakuraba.
"I hope this works…" Wakuraba mumbled as he quickly, with shocking movement, quickly skidded past Nezuko and through the train.
Nezuko only thanked her infrared vision and the trail this demon was making, that she was able to dodge the attack.
Nezuko growled, as she followed the specific individual. She would have to worry about the other one in a bit.
When she looked down, she spotted the individual.
Her breathe hitched a bit, once she noticed.
"Lower Moon Three…" Nezuko sighed, "Finally! I may get to kill a lower moon!"
And so, Nezuko unsheathed her blade, showing her dark blue, purple, pinkish blade.
"Hmm? Seems capable, but not a demon slayer. Are you kidding me?!" Wakuraba exclaimed in rage. "I'm fighting a nobody?!"
Nezuko growled, "I'll have to show you what a nobody I am, then." Nezuko mumbled as she went towards the demon.
Water Breathing, First Form: Water Slash
Nezuko made her way over in a quick attempt to slash Wakuraba, but he merely dodged, before launching his own arms towards Nezuko.
Nezuko kicked the demon away, as he skidded back a bit.
"This kid's legs were strong!" Wakuraba exclaimed, as he shook his head.
Blood Demon Art: Blood Sprint Technique
With a speed unbeknownst to Nezuko, she felt her chest being punctured by the demon.
"What the hell?!" Nezuko growled, as she quickly kicked out to where the demon, was, but Wakuraba quickly dodged.
"Heh… Try all you might, but I'll be too fast for you!" Wakuraba boasted, as he pumped himself up.
Nezuko sighed, she had to focus. She saw the infrared vision that she had, and could see the trails that were left behind.
It was through here, did Nezuko's eyes widened.
She had to get off of his trials. And so, she quickly jumped to the side of the train.
"Interesting decision, but you made a good call." Wakuraba explained, as he was truly confused when he saw Nezuko seemingly jump off the train.
"But it won't be enough!" Wakuraba smirked, as he unleashed his own blood demon art.
Blood Demon Art: Blood Sprint
Before Nezuko knew it, she felt her body being flung high into the air.
Nezuko screamed briefly, before she knew what to do.
"This was like that demon I encountered during the Final Selection! Thank god the train stopped moving…" Nezuko was thinking.
She had to properly focus, and make sure she wouldn't activate it too early, but also that it wasn't too predictable.
She had to focus, and breathing properly, to make sure it worked out.
Total Concentration – Water Breathing, Second Form, Modified: Vertical Water Wheel
Nezuko made sure, at the right time, she spun her body to weaken the impact of the landing. She had successfully managed to land back on the train, this time not as injured as last time.
"I'll admit, you're stronger than you look, but you are no typical demons slayer!" Wakuraba exclaimed. "I'm not letting you kill me!"
Blood Demon Art: Blood Spring Technique
Nezuko braced herself, as she knew the demon would no doubt try to strike as unpredictably as he could.
And so, she had to rely on her infrared vision to work. She had to, else she would be injured by the demon. She couldn't lose too many, or else the others would be killed.
She anticipated the strikes, and launched her sword out whenever she felt and could predict when Wakuraba was destined to strike.
To my right! Nezuko told herself, as she launched her sword.
Water Breathing, Seventh Form, Modified: Curve
Striking her sword in a piercing manner, she had almost managed to catch Wakuraba off guard.
However, it wasn't perfect.
"Gah!" Nezuko yelled as she felt her body being clipped by the demon over and over again.
That wasn't the problem, but when it occurred repeatedly, it only began to hurt more and more. It was almost like being flung up and being struck more than 100 times within a second. It hurt.
Wakuraba was getting the correct movements, to the point Nezuko was unable to predict, even with her infrared vision.
She had to think of something. If this continued, she would lose her energy and fall asleep.
Nezuko grunted as she took the time to go on the offense, but she was clipped again before she knew it.
She was launched into the hair, before being struck down on the ground next to the train,
"ugh…" Nezuko mumbled, as she struggled to get up.
"Had enough?" Wakuraba asked, smirking.
"What the hell even are you? Who told you, to be a demon slayer?" Wakuraba added, and Nezuko felt herself being insulted.
It sucked, but she wasn't going to take it.
She glared at the demon, Wakuraba, her vision become infrared again, as she detected the neck right where it was, and struck,
Water Breathing, Twelfth Form: Raging Ocean Style, Riptide
With a mighty scream, Nezuko manifested herself to the side, as she began to strike and charge at Wakurabu as fast and aggressive as she could. She struck to her left, when Wakuraba yet again tried to clip her. Thankfully, it seemed she was getting the hang of it.
But she was still being clipped, and it hurt.
"You think that's all I can do with my blood demon art?" Wakuraba suddenly asked. "Take this!"
The blood demon art around Wakuraba changed noticeably, and Nezuko could tell from the infrared light that this was different.
She gulped, and prepared herself, charging yet again towards the demon. She was spinning around whilst creating wave like patterns as she tried to strike Wakuraba.
However, she felt her face being slapped away.
"Hehe… You can't even see me with how fast I'm going! You'll have to rely on something else!" Wakuraba exclaimed in pride as he yet again continued to strike and chip Nezuko down.
She continued to grunt as all she could do was try and make sure she wasn't struck in any critical areas.
And so, she continued to defend, knowing she was in a difficult situation.
Wakuraba yet again charged towards Nezuko, and it seemed he would be going for a direct strike, but he faked it, and using feints and misdirections, he was making it more difficult for Nezuko.
"Gah! I'll destroy you!" Nezuko yelled as she tried again.
Water Breahting, Eight Form Modified, Flowing River
As Wakuraba continued to launch himself at Nezuko, she spun her body around, using the momentum to make her body more difficult to hit.
It was more successful, but she was still feeling the radius of his body strike him.
"It's his blood demon art… I need to try and not only avoid the direct strike, but also the impact strike…" Nezuko mumbled, as she tried to think of something.
"I need to calm my breathing, but how can I calm myself when in the midst of an attack?!" Nezuko asked, as she clutches her leg in pain.
Wakuraba stopped briefly, as he stared and grinned at Nezuko.
"Oh, how pitiful you are…" Wakuraba chuckled, "You have yet to get a single perfect strike on me, and I'm reaching 100. Though, I have to say, how exactly are you still standing?"
"Doesn't… Matter…" Nezuko mumbled, before she managed to think of something.
Water Breathing, Eleventh Form: Dead Calm
Suddenly, Nezuko's own bodily functions quickly dropped. She made her body still.
Wakurabu, noting the chance in Nezuko's demeanor, chuckled and grinned.
"You fool! Don't stand still when facing me!" Wakuraba exclaimed as he charged towards Nezuko.
However, to his shock, he felt his arm severed and sliced immediately upon getting too close to her. Not even the rest of his blood demon art was affecting her.
"What the hell is this technique?" Wakuraba asked himself, as he was focused on regenerating his arm. This was the first major strike Nezuko had.
As Nezuko maintained her dead calm, she had successfully managed to avoid all the moves. More importantly, she had managed to properly avoid and slice down every threat the demon brought her way.
But the reality, was that she couldn't hold the technique forever. Even Giyu couldn't last no more than an hour of using dead calm. He would have to end it soon, as his body would be strained from its effects.
Nezuko knew she would last much shorter.
So, she needed to hope she mastered her total concentration when she had the chance.
She looked up, and saw the demon looking confused. Nezuko, by contrast, looked just fine.
Unfortunately, she was losing it, as after five minutes, the impact and strain dead calm had on her body was too much, and she coughed.
Wakuraba chuckled, "Seems your little trick is done. Now. Where were we."
The next thing Nezuko knew, she was launched high into the hair, before she could responde, she felt her back hit a metal object, which she assumed was the train. When she looked up, she saw the sky, with Wakuraba looking down on her.
"Oh, right… It's time to kill you." Wakurabu chuckled.
Tanjirou's POV
Once Tanjirou made his way towards the train, he noticed a strange individual.
This individual was definitely a demon, as they were still up. The fact that the rest of the other individuals, including the demon slayer were all asleep was concerning.
Tanjirou could smell the results of a blood demon art doing its work, but he couldn't tell if this girl demon was responsible.
"Well, someone is still awake." The demon girl asked, as she looked at Tanjirou.
"I was in the washroom when everyone was asleep." Tanjirou explained.
"Aww nya, guess I'll have to tell Enmu to make you sleep." The girl smiled, "My names Mukago, and we were sent by that man, to kill you."
Tanjirou sighed, "Of course, he does. Muzan Kibutsuji is a coward after all."
Mukago was shocked that this demon was saying his name so causally, but she went back, "Don't insult our master's name like that!"
With that, Mukago flexed her hands, showing extraordinary, almost sword like claws on her hands, replacing her fingers.
"What the hell?" Tanjirou thought to himself, before he saw Mukago charged at him.
Thankfully, Tanjirou blocked with his own blade.
"Huh? What's a demon like you using a nirchirin blade? You are so into being with humans that you even bothered to learn that sword fighting? Nya, so determined…" Mukago chuckled as she gripped Tanjirou's blade, then swiping him right in the face, blocking one of his eyes out.
"What's with demons striking out my eye like that…" Tanjirou thought to himself, before he growled.
"My turn." Tanjirou proudly said.
Hinokami Kagura, Fifth Form: Burning Bones, Summer Sun
Tanjirou performed a singular slash in a spiraling motion to defend himself from Mukago's strikes.
However, Mukago skillfully dodged through his strikes, launching herself on a small footing platform on the train.
"This demon seems very agile and athletic… This might be a problem…" Tanjirou thought to himself, as he focused on Mukago.
"Nya! You'll have to do better than that to even slice me, Tanjirou~." Mukago smirked, as she began to stare down Tanjirou, who felt a foreign uncomfortable feeling unlke any other he has before. "Say you're kind of cute, how about I make you mine, and I may let master let you live~." Mukago chuckled, as she purred, whilst looking at Tanjirou with lust.
"What. The. Fuck." Tanjirou thought as he stared at Mukago, a bit disgusted at the sudden proposition.
"I decline." Tanjirou said at last.
"Aww, that's no fun, you sure? We can have lots of fun together…" Mukago continued to press Tanjirou.
"Like I said, no." Tanjirou said with a determined face, before he unleashed his own breathing.
Total Concentration – Hinokami Kagura, Eight Form: Beneficient Radiance
Before Mukago realized, Tanjirou had struck Mukago on her torso, as he spiraled into the air, swirling and spinning his body to strike her.
She was thankful she managed to back up, else her body would have been dead.
"How's that for an answer?" Tanjirou asked, grunting, and hoping Mukago was getting the message.
"No matter, I'll beat you down so badly, you'll beg me to be with you!" Mukago exclaimed, as she got on all fours.
"Meow!"
"What is wrong with this girl?" Tanjirou asked himself, as he stared at Mukago, specifically her pointy claws that seemed, by his smell, too dangerous to be simple demon claws.
Tanjirou could smell the blood coming off of Mukago's own claws, and he knew that this would be a problem.
Quickly dodge by moving past the chairs, Mukago only athletically maneuvered herself over towards Tanjirou.
"I don't want to be near this demon after what she just tried to play with me…" Tanjirou mumbled.
Hinokami Kagura, Twelfth Form, Modified: Solar Flare Dance
Breathing in, Tanjirou breathed out as he focused on his breathing.
Just like that, he felt his vision flicker, yet again, seeing the demon approaching him. However, within this vision, he saw that Mukago was approaching him a bit too slowly.
"That's it!" Tanjirou exclaimed, as he noticed something strange coming off of her head.
As Tanjirou launched himself to swip away at Mukago, he eventually perfectly aimed a strike right for her head.
However, that's when Tanjirou knew this demon was hiding her own trick.
Blood Demon Art – Bloodcat
To Tanjirou's surprise, Mukago began to shrink down, and transform into a cat.
For a second, Tanjirou thought this was Chachamaru all over again, however, he quickly realized this was a demon.
To his surprise, Mukago meowed, and began to attack Tanjirou, using her small body to make it difficult to attack her.
Tanjirou could only dodge.
"How the hell am I supposed to it such a small object?" Tanjirou asked himself.
He couldn't even use his sense of smell, as he ultimately knew that slicing this cat would not kill this demon. It wasn't that simple.
Hinokami Kagura, First Form: Dance
For now, all Tanjirou could do, was dance to avoid this weird cat response.
However, Tanjirou was then surprised by another technique.
Mukago had quickly came back to a demon form, with a human-like body, and swiped at Tanjirou.
"Urg…" Tanjirou groaned, before he felt himself being kicked back painfully into the wall from Mukago.
"What is with demons doing that to me… My poor back…" Tanjirou mumbled, as he painfully got up.
However, Mukago gripped Tanjirou by the throat, as she chuckled.
"Oh how tragic, Tanjirou-kun , if only you chose to be with me, you may have had a better chance to survive~" Mukago chuckled, as she purred right into Tanjirou's face.
Tanjirou growled, as he then headbutted Mukago in the face.
"Ack!" The demon girl felt her face began to bleed as Tanjirou got up and punched her right in the face.
To his surprise, the demon girl went flying into the wall as well.
"I guess since I'm a demon, I can do that as well…" Tanjirou mumbled as he stared down at his fists in shock.
Mukago grunted as she got up, and Tanjirou breathed in.
He couldn't afford to get distracted, knowing Mukago was extremely fluent in shapeshifting and fighting it seemed.
Hinokami Kagura, Twelfth Form: Flame Dance
Tanjirou lashed out, striking first before he flung forward, trying to catch Mukago.
However, she skillfully dodged, backflipping, and jumping on Tanjirou's back.
"Ack!" Tanjirou exclaimed in shock as he felt his back neck being ripped off by Mukago.
"This demon… I can't even hit it!" Tanjirou exclaimed in shock. "I don't want to do this, but I must…"
Tanjirou sighed, before he decided he needed to.
Blood Demon Art – Hinokami's Blessing
Before Mukago knew it, she yelled in pain as Tanjirou's blood seeped through his skin, and his entire body was covered in scarlet flames.
"Ow!" Mukago exclaimed as she felt her own skin being burned, as she leaped away from Tanjirou.
She looked at him, somewhat scared, as she saw the burning inferno that was Tanjirou.
"This kid's demon art… What the hell…" Mukago mumbled, as she felt her regenerations talled for a bit.
In the meantime, Tanjirou was breathing heavily. He had to focus.
He was able to defeast Lower Moon five, he would be able to defeat a lower moon above that, Lower Moon Four was fightable and manageable, he could feel it.
He had to.
"I'll admit, your blood demon art is formidable, but don't think that I'll let you off!" Mukago exclaimed. "However, my offer still stands, nyaa~" Mukago smiled.
Tanjirou growled, "Like hell I would! I have to make sure my sister is alright after!"
At this, Mukago looked at Tanjirou, grossed out, "A sis-con? How gross…"
"What's a sis-con?" Tanjirou asked.
Mukago looked shocked before she shook her head, "Nevermind,"
And so, Mukago charged Tanjirou yet again.
He breathed in formidably, but it wasn't enough, as Tanjirou had to dodge the strike from Mukago.
She unfortunately was able to stop where she was, and continued to onslaught Tanjirou.
Tanjirou growled as he felt himself getting cut over and over. For some reasons, her claws felt weird.
"You may be wondering, why my claws are feeling weird for you, huh?" Mukago asked, clearly smirking.
Tanjirou, however panted as he continued to pant.
"Well, you see. I've channeled my blood demon art with another lower moon, who can make others fall asleep and to their dreams, being stuck in them. Have you wondered why the other humans are sleeping away whilst you are trying to defend them?" Mukago asked.
Tanjirou growled, "So you're trying to infuse a blood demon art to make me fall asleep?"
Mukago smiled, "Of course! You probably want to see your family again, am I right?"
At this, Tajirou's eyes widened in shock.
Mukago chuckled, "Yes, your family. They've been killed by master, huh? No wonder you became a demon and hate him, but I must say-"
Mukago gasped as Tanjirou charged towards her.
Hinokami Kagura, Twelfth Form, Modified: Solar Flare Dance
Tanjirou unleashed yet another wild style of strikes and parries as he tried to get towards the demon. Mukago merely dodged, trying to focus on Tanjirou's own strikes, but she couldn't.
He was striking widely, using feints as well to make it more difficult for her to predict Tanjirou.
"This kid's acting out, he's clearly lost it!" Mukago exclaimed, as she began to run off.
"Don't you run away from me you coward!" Tanjirou exclaimed, as he did something Mukago didn't expect.
Tanjirou, threw his sword, which managed to strike her in the chest, right in the middle.
"Ack!" Mukago exclaimed, as she felt herself being punched onto a wall, as Tanjirou yanked his sword out of her, and then slashed it again.
If she hadn't turned back into a cat, then she would have died right there.
Tanjirou for his part, looked around, and saw the running cat.
Unfortunately, Tanjirou felt himself feeling tired.
"That demon must have infused her demon art with the other to make me fall into my dreams…" Tanjirou mumbled.
He had to finish this demon off quickly before he fell asleep.
And so, Tanjirou breathed in.
He couldn't afford to waste any time, and now he knew what Mukago was trying to do.
She was trying to stall until he fell asleep.
Breathing in, Tanjirou focused on his breathing that Giyu and Urokodaki had taught him.
No wonder he felt himself being less capable than before.
He wasn't using the concentration breathing.
And so, Tanjirou began to breathe in, all the while Mukago continued to look at him, confused.
"I'm sensing something different with him, now. What is he doing?" Mukago asked herself confused, before her eyes widened.
"That monster…" Mukago mumbled, as she began to see a spitting image of a long haired man, with no eyes.
"I-Is this master's vision?!" Mukago asked.
Before Tanjirou knew it, he charged forward.
Total Concentration – Hinokami Kagura, Eight Form, Modified: Sunflare Strike
With a mighty swing, Tanjirou felt himself at ease, despite the tenseness he was feeling, he focused his breathing on his arms, and made sure his blood was traveling efficiently through his arms.
With a horizontal strike towards Mukago, Tanjirou struck his blade in a piercing manner hoping to strike Mukago.
It was faster than Mukago could even tell, and before she knew it, she felt her arm being cut off. If she hadn't moved as quickly, she would have died right there.
But Mukago was looking at Tanjirou in fear now, she could tell that he was acting differently.
Whatever advantage she had right now, was gone.
Total Concentration – Hinokami Kagura, Fifth Form: Setting Sun Transformation
When trying to attack Tanjirou, to get him out the way, he merely dodged, and while backflipping, he performed a slash aimed for her neck.
"No!" Mukago exclaimed as she moved out the way.
Tanjirou wasn't done yet.
He continued to try and slash Mukago, but was feeling the tiredness and fatigue of the demon art hit him.
He had to finish her now.
Blood Demon Art – Hinokami's Blessing
Activating his mark and demon art, he felt the marks going down towards his body, as his blood circulated and spread across his body.
The blood quickly engulfed Tanjirou into scarlet flames, as Tanjirou charged towards Mukago.
Total Concentration – Hinokami's Infused, Tenth Form: Fire Wheel
Tanjirou, with a mighty leap, swung his body repeatedly in circles, as he felt the flames being unleashed around the train.
He was thankful that there were no other sleeping bystanders around them, for he could focus purely on Mukago.
"What the!" Mukago hissed as she continued to manuever herself away.
She knew she couldn't ultimately attack or go near Tanjirou, and so the best she could do was stay her distance.
That was relatively difficult considering what she was in, specifically the environment.
"Guess I have to try and do it…" Mukago sighed, knowing she had no other choice.
Eyeing Tanjirou specifically, she charged.
"This is it!" Mukago exclaimed as she leaped.
Blood Demon Art: Feline Decapitation
Using her nails, which had grown to mini daggers, she swiped them at Tanjirou, who merely tilted his head to the right.
However, that what she wanted.
She twisted her body, managing to slice Tanjirou's head off of his neck.
However, in the process, Tanjirou was still using his Hinokami Kagura, and in the process struck off the head of Mukago.
It was a strike she anticipated to end Tanjirou. Even if it didn't, it would cripple him.
Mukago however, had an ace.
"Meow!" Mukago quickly transformed into a cat, as she merely went off.
Tanjirou, however, his body fell as his head rolled to the side. His eyes were shut, as he was now sleeping.
He wasn't dead, but the sheer energy he would need to regenerate would be a lot, and adding to the existing blood demon art, Mukago knew he wouldn't be a threat.
Mukago, meowed before she ran off.
However, before she realized it, in her cat form, her body began to shiver.
"Meow?" Mukago had to convert back to her demon form, as she began to feel a sudden bout of pain.
"What is going on?!" Mukago asked herself. "I-Is master doing this?!"
As she realized something was going through her body, she tried to make herself bigger.
"T-This is bad!" Mukago exclaimed, "I need to cut apart my body or else it'll spread…"
She realized, whatever was causing her body to act out, was spreading throughout her body. She could see the purple spots spreading throughout her body, and she knew this was causing her bodily reactions.
"No…" Mukago mumbled, noticing the marks were concentrated around her lower abdomen.
"If I cut the rest of my body, then perhaps it'll be gone!" Mukago exclaimed, as she swiped across her abdomen.
"Whew…" Mukago mumbled.
She began to make her way towards the rest of the passengers. She had managed to cut down the demon master wanted down, and was now going to treat herself for a meal after that.
Unfortunately, around a minute later, she felt her newly regenerated body falling apart.
"What… What is happening?!" Mukago exclaimed in shock, before she saw the purple marks reappear on her abdomen.
"No… It must've spread throughout my body before I was able to cut myself apart…" Mukago assumed, and unfortunately going to cost her life.
"No… I'm feeling so nauseous and dizzy…" Mukago mumbled, as before she knew it, she began to cough up and vomit her blood.
Tanjirou, who's head, was still on the ground, seeing the crouched figure of Mukago, gripped his hand, at least what he assumed.
The next thing he knew, Mukago's figure was lit on fire, specifically around her mouth.
This went on, until he screams were no more, replaced by a whimpering mess.
Tanjirou's head rolled over to see the disheveled figure of Mukago.
"I can sense such sadness from this demon…" Tanjirou mumbled sadly, as he felt the sadness.
He could feel the sadness coming from Mukago. The ostracization she faced. The lack of friends she had.
When Mukago was born, she was surrounded by loneliness.
She was someone who couldn't make friends. She had a sever sense of social anxiety, which ultimately caused her to remain hidden by most of the world.
Her anxiety caused her to never make friends.
She was eventually bullied in her young years by human children, the result of being different.
"Why… Why did I have to suffer through that…" Mukago mumbled.
Even when she tried to confront and confide in her parents, it never worked. Her parents never believed, and instead stigmatized the issue she had.
She was drowning in her fears, always running away from a group of children. If she was running away from children, how could she stand even the strongest of individuals?
She was just a scaredy cat, and she eventually befriended them.
When she met her first cat, she felt comforted. She never was the one to have to approach them. The cats would always approach her. That was all she ever wanted.
Was for someone to approach her.
Ironically enough, it was never a human who would approach her, but rather a cat. And that was what helped her with her loneliness.
She was someone who wanted to be valued, and appreciated, but she never got that.
She never seemed to have been approached by her parents, who neglected her.
She was never approached by students to help with groupwork, she had to work alone for those.
Only when she was outside, alone, was when she was approached by individuals, and it wasn't even from a human.
It was from a cat, or a bunch of them.
She learned to befriend them. She learned to play with them, and they in turned helped her with her own social anxiety.
That is, until something happened.
When she was running away from the same people who gave her anxiety, the same people who teased and bullied her, then did her heart break for humanity.
The vision and sight of the kids ruthlessly stomping on some cats as they tried to run away from them. All she could do, was run away, while the very people who had caused her harm, was now hurting the animals she cared so deeply for.
She cared for those cats, and those kids, just to spite her, were hurting the them.
Why did they deserve that. It should have been her, not them…
"Why…" She cried.
When she grew up, she stopped caring. She hated humanity. So much so, that she accepted becoming a demon if it meant causing harm to the very species that denied her the right to befriend those cats, who helped her when she needed someone the most.
Tanjirou smiled sadly at the crying Mukago, before through his very eyes, did she turn to ash.
Tanjirou sighed, panting, as he finally knew he killed the demon. He killed the Lower Moon, and as much as he had to get up, he was under the effect of a blood demon art, and before he knew it, he blacked out.
A.N / Kind of like how I wrote these fighting scenes. Not sure if you all like it, but let me know of some things you noticed that aren't that cool or proper.
As for Tanjirou and Nezuko both fighting the lower moons, I've decided to mostly include them all in the Mugen Train Arc to make this arc a bit more interesting than the rest, as I may add some OC demons. Also, hope Mukago's little backstory does not cause some trigger to you all. I wanted to make her life story tragic to at least allow you to understand everything. Anyways, hope you enjoy!
Character Profile
Mukago: Female, unknown age.
Status: Dead, Demon Height: 5'3" (160cm) Weight: 125Ibs
Wakuraba: Male, unknown age.
Status: Alive, Dmeon Height: 5'5" (165cm) Weight: 130Ibs
Kanao Tsuyuri: Female, 16 years old.
Status: Alive, Human Height: 5'2 (157cm) Weight: 122Ibs)
Rengoku Kyojuro: Male, 19 years old.
Status: Alive, Human Height: 5'10" (177cm) Weight: 159Ibs
Zenitsu Agatsuma: Male, 15 years old.
Status: Alive, Human Height: 5'7" (170cm) Weight: 130Ibs
Inosuke Hashibira: Male, 15 years old.
Status: Alive, Human Height: 5'5" (165cm) Weight: 135Ibs (yes, lost weight due to Mount Natagumo).
Ability: Breathing Style
Tanjirou Kamado:
Hinokami Kagura, Twelfth Form, Modified: Solar Flare Dance
A move similar to sunflower thurst, however instead of striking upward, the user strikes horizontally, or downward. The move, if used with Tanjirou's blood demon arts can easily inject his blood into a demon to infect them and eventually poison them.
Any other character is using the same techniques in the manga/anime canonically. This includes Rengoku using Flame Breathing techniques, Kanao using Flower Breathing, and Shinobu using Insect Breathing.
Ability: Blood Demon Arts
Mukago:
Bloodcat:
The user, with an advanced ability to shapeshift and to manipulate their flesh, can become the form of a cat. The cat will grant them extra agility and acrobatic-like reflexes, whilst also delivering a deadly talon and nail towards their nails and toes.
Feline Decapitation:
The user sharpens their talons to mini-daggers, manipulating their flesh with the aim of either stabbing into the opponent, or by slicing their heads off. Very deadly and effective, but is risky and puts the user in vulnerable position.
Wakuraba:
Blood Sprint:
The user pumps their blood specifically to their legs, allowing them to unleash themselves out at lightning speeds. The speed is almost impossible for anyone to counter, and if they do, they will usually feel the burn from the sheer speed.
Blood Spring
As the user launches themselves forward, bits of their blood can drop on the trail and ground of their movements. If user wants, this can allow for him to launch his opponents upwards by using his blood. The move can decapitate an individual if they're not careful enough to land properly.
Taisho Secret:
Tanjirou is able to detect the emotions, and the sad stories of each demon. Rui for example maintains the same story of his childhood, with Tanjirou performing the same action to soothe them. The same goes for the other demons he fought and killed, with Neuzko not too far behind, being able to see the pain in the demon's eyes as they die.