Summary: In an epic clash between duty and desire, Kyojuro, a demon slayer with a deep-seated hatred for demons, finds himself grappling with his growing attraction towards a pure-blooded demon devoted to helping humans and his duty to hunt and kill her kind. Will Kyojuro betray his beliefs and succumb to his feelings, or will he choose duty over desire and slay the one demon who poses no threat to humans?
Author's note: Please share your thoughts! This is my first time writing a story!
Chapter 1: The Encounter
The spring night was shrouded in an eerie silence as Kyojuro Rengoku, the young 20-year-old Hashira with fiery gold and red hair, set out to patrol District 1. His duty as the Flame Pillar was to guard the four quaint villages from the lurking demons that prowled in the darkness, unable to venture out during daylight hours. It was considered "the witching hour" or 3 AM when he stepped into the shadows, his sharp golden-red eyes scanning every corner for even the slightest hint of a malevolent presence. With the weight of responsibility on his shoulders, he walked with an unwavering determination, ready to face any threat that dared to cross his path.
As Kyojuro continued his patrol, he couldn't help but notice the simplicity and rustic charm of the villages in District 1. The wooden structures with straw roofs and the lack of modern amenities spoke of a traditional way of life that was rapidly disappearing in the face of technological advancement. The people here lived off the land and the river that flowed through the middle of the four towns, which provided a soothing backdrop to the otherwise unsettling stillness. Despite the humble setting, Kyojuro found himself feeling a sense of calm as he walked through the dirt roads between the wooden huts. However, the peacefulness was also unnerving for Kyojuro, who had grown accustomed to engaging in life-threatening battles. The weeks of tranquility were a stark contrast to the constant adrenaline-fueled battles he was used to. As he walked, his senses were alert, and he remained on edge, ready to spring into action at the first sign of danger.
SUDDENLY! Kyojuro's senses tingled as he detected a faint demonic aura in the distance. Without hesitation, he gripped the hilt of his sword with his right hand, leaned forward, and took a deep breath while whispering, "total concentration breathing."
In an instant, he bolted forward with lightning speed, leaving behind only a thick trail of dust in his wake that obscured his form from human sight.
"4 kilometers north, I should be there in 5 minutes at the latest," he thought, determined to make it in time before any casualties occurred.
Approaching the small village of twelve tiny houses, Kyojuro felt something amiss because there no signs of chaos or a demon attack. Yet, the presence was still there, and it belonged to something strong. His senses were on high alert as he tried to piece together what kind of demon could be responsible for this unsettling feeling. 'This must be one of the 12 Demon Moons', he thought, 'but this aura feels so gentle. How can that be?'
Every step he took towards the source of the aura filled him with anticipation, as if he was walking into a trap. Without hesitation, Kyojuro continued to walk until he was in front of a wooden door where the aura was at its strongest, and he peered inside through a small hole. What he saw surprised him, but he refused to let his guard down and prepared for an attack.
Inside, Kyojuro saw a beautiful woman treating a young boy who had been bitten by a venomous snake. He can hear two others standing next to the boy, who he assumed were the parents, explaining that the snake had snuck its way into their family hut just 20 minutes earlier. The woman looked about his age and despite her demon aura, she seemed very much human. The only strange thing about her was the purple diamond on her forehead and the light green glow surrounding her fingertips as she extracted what seemed to be the snake venom from the boy's flesh. She also had cherry blossom colored hair and the small candle next to her showed her bright emerald eyes, reminding him of his Tsuguko, Mitsuri. Kyojuro watched as the demoness worked diligently to heal the boy, her hands moving with a practiced ease as she applied glowing light to the wound which began to miraculously close and disappear without a trace.
He was surprised by her dedication to healing the human boy instead of attacking him, but he remained cautious and skeptical. As a Hashira, he had encountered many demons skilled at deception, and he couldn't help but wonder what tricks she had up her sleeve. Despite her gentle demeanor, he knew that demons were not capable of kindness, and he remained vigilant, ready to defend himself and the villagers if needed.
After a few moments, the pink-haired demon finished treating the boy. She must have sensed him and turned to face the door. He caught sight of her figure moving swiftly towards him. His suspicions grew stronger by the second - he knew demons often took human form to deceive their prey.
To avoid alarming the civilians and to prevent the demon from attacking in the presence of innocent people, Kyojuro swiftly moved away from the house and waited outside. He stood there patiently, watching as the demoness emerged from the house and approached him. Her long, pink hair cascaded down her back in loose waves, shimmering in the pale moonlight. Her skin was as smooth as porcelain. The purple diamond mark on her forehead clearly indicated her demonic lineage. But what struck him the most were her piercing emerald green eyes that seemed to exude a gentle warmth despite the chilly night air. She was dressed in a simple white robe that hung loosely around her, giving her a serene, almost ethereal appearance. As she stepped outside, her hair swayed in the spring breeze, adding to her otherworldly appearance.
Her calm expression caused Kyojuro to tense and draw his sword, ready to engage in battle. The woman's gaze flickered to his uniform. Despite the darkness, she could make out the intricate pattern on his haori and the unique design on his sword hilt.
'It was unmistakable; this was a Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps.', she thought to herself.
She had heard stories of the Hashiras and their legendary skills, but she had never met one in person until now. She couldn't help but feel a mixture of awe and trepidation at the sight of him. He was attractive but she knew that these hunters were not to be taken lightly.
Despite this, the demoness remained calm and composed. She had to be careful, but she also can't let fear get the best of her. So, she stood her ground, her green eyes meeting human's golden red ones.
"Hashira-san," she said, bowing respectfully. "Is there something I can help you with?"
Kyojuro eyed her suspiciously. Despite her polite actions, he couldn't ignore the fact that she was a demon. A powerful one at that. He had encountered many demons during his time as a demon slayer, and he knew that they were all bloodthirsty monsters who preyed on innocent humans.
Voice low and menacing. "You have a lot of nerve showing up here pretending to be a doctor," he said. "What business do you have in this village if it's not to devour the villagers?"
The woman didn't seem fazed by Kyojuro's aggression. "My name is Sakura Taisho," she stated calmly. "I'm a traveling healer, and I've stopped here to help the people in this village for the time being."
Kyojuro narrowed his golden red orbs, "A demon healer? I find that hard to believe. What is your true purpose here?"
Sakura's lips curved into a small smile. "You know, for someone who's supposed to be a Hashira, you seem awfully quick to jump to conclusions. Not all of us are monsters. Some of us just want to live in peace and help others."
Kyojuro's grip tightened on his sword, his eyes still locked onto Sakura's, "You think you can deceive me with your lies?" he snarled. "I've seen the horrors that demons can bring upon innocent people, and I won't let you do the same here. You may have fooled others with your pretense of kindness, but I won't be so easily swayed."
Sakura's gaze didn't waver as she held Kyojuro's intense stare. Her voice was steady and firm, carrying an underlying sense of authority. "I understand that my appearance may be unsettling to you but I assure you, that my intentions are pure, as I said before, I'm just a healer trying to help those in need..."
She paused, her eyes scanning Kyojuro's face, searching for any hint of understanding.
"I've seen the horrors that demons can inflict on humans, and I understand why you might be suspicious of me," she continued. "But I'm not like them. I've made a choice to use my powers for good, and I won't let anyone, not even a Hashira, stand in the way of that." Her voice had risen slightly, a hint of defiance creeping in.
"So, if you're here to threaten me or those I've helped, then I suggest you think twice," she finished, her gaze unwavering.
The two of them stood there for a moment, their eyes locked in a silent battle of wills. Kyojuro could sense the villagers watching them from the safety of their homes, waiting to see what would happen.
The humans who had been standing nearby suddenly stepped forward, forming a barrier around Sakura. "Please, Hashira-san," one of them pleaded. "She's saved many lives in our village. We trust her!"
"She even protected us from the demons who HAVE tried to eat us!" another one stepped in and yelled out.
Kyojuro can't decapitate her while she's surrounded by so many civilians. He wonders if she put them under a spell as he is also having a hard time fighting his urge to believe her, but he senses no lies or deception from the people before him.
Sakura steps in again, "Please, Hashira-san," she pleaded. "I understand your suspicion, but I assure you that I am not like the other demons you've encountered. I was "born" a demon and not "turned" into one by Muzan. I am a pureblood demon. My kind may have a bad reputation due to human interference with our DNA, but I have never killed a human. I've only used my abilities to heal and protect. Many purebloods are civilized and good!"
As Sakura attempted to prove her innocence, the villagers became increasingly defensive of her. They accused Kyojuro of being too quick to judge and threatened to chase him out of the village if he didn't leave immediately. "LEAVE OR ELSE!" "WE DON'T NEED YOU TO SAVE US" "LEAVE SAKURA-SAN ALONE!"
Kyojuro could feel their hostility towards him. Reluctantly, Kyojuro lowered his sword. He didn't want to harm innocent people, but he still couldn't shake off his suspicions of the demoness. "Fine," he said. "I'll leave you be for now. But when you inevitably show your true colors, I'll be here to end you."
Sakura stepped forward as the demon slayer turn to leave, her voice soft but determined. "Wait, Hashira-san," she called out. "I know you don't trust me, but I swear on my demon heritage that I am not a threat to this village."
Kyojuro stopped and turned to face her, his expression guarded. "And why should I believe you?" he asked, his tone sharp.
"Because I have nothing to gain by lying to you," Sakura replied. " My demon heritage does not define me. I choose to use my abilities for good and have dedicated myself to healing and protecting those in need. You may have encountered demons who harm humans, but I am not one of them. I will be here to heal you if you're ever injured in battle no matter how critical the wounds are! So please. Let me prove to you that demons and humans can coexist..."
One of the villagers spoke up, his voice filled with conviction. "It's true, Hashira-san! Sakura has saved many lives in our village. She even risked her own life to protect us from the evil demons who attacked us."
Kyojuro looked around at the villagers, studying their faces. He could sense their sincerity, but he refuse to go against his principle to slay all demons. "I will leave for now," Kyojuro said finally. "But know that I will be watching you, Sakura. And if I find out that you are a danger to society, I will not hesitate to act."
Sakura nodded, her eyes never leaving his. "I understand, Hashira-san. "But I hope that someday you'll see that not all demons are the same." She knew that demons were often misunderstood and feared by humans, but she had hoped her actions would prove otherwise. Despite the Hashira's mistrust, she would continue to use her powers to help others.
The humans who had protected her gathered around her, grateful for her presence. Sakura knew that changing everyone's minds was impossible, but she would continue to do good, regardless of what others thought of her. Her final thought that evening before the rising sun was, "That man spared my life and I didn't get his name…"
As Kyojuro walked back to his guard post, his mind filled with doubts, suspicions and even a spark of curiosity that he couldn't quite explain. As the sun began to peak on the horizon, he felt a large shift in the wind…Something big was coming, something that would challenge everything he thought he knew about demons and their place in the world…