Hinokami's Blessing

Chapter 14

12Thirtypain03

WARNING: This story is rated M for mature-rated content. If some acts of violence, blood, or anything easily triggering make you uncomfortable, please leave and do not read. Any change to a character, when introduced, killed, changed into a demon/human, or more will be labeled in the chapter of occurrence. If a character has died in a chapter, that chapter will give a cause of death to that character.


Muzan's POV


What the hell just happened…?

Muzan was confused. Once Nakime had managed to get himself away from that city, Muzan had time to calm down.

His body was freaking out, and he was hyperventilating.

First of all, that boy he thought he killed, was still alive... And he was a demon...

How in the hell did that boy turn into a demon? He could have sworn that he killed that boy, by ripping his limbs out one by one. He made sure everything was how he envisioned it. How everything was just to satisfy his desires. How was that boy able to survive that, and become a demon?

Actually, this is the better question...

Why was that demon boy so threatening? How was that boy such a strong slayer...?

And that demon girl, the very girl he said he would take care of, she seemed to have done the unexpected and strayed away from him.

Not only that, but the boy survived, somehow. He had ruthlessly slaughtered the boy, and somehow, he managed to heal and become a demon, and a traitor at that.

Just how was that possible? How did they manage that, and why couldn't Muzan sense or see through them?

That girl seemed to have been able to learn a breathing technique. Not threatening, but a demon becoming a demon slayer should be threatening to Muzan. Especially if she was a traitor.

However, the boy was very threatening. The very boy the father had downplayed for so long, saying how he was unable to learn any breathing form that he gave at him. The very boy who no doubt suffered the most from Muzan's control over his family. The one who definitely had the most reason to hate Muzan... The one Muzan hated the most because it reminded him of that monster...

That very boy... Also seemed to know that very same breathing style. The one he was looking for. While he would be very ecstatic to know that a demon had that very breathing style, it, unfortunately, did not mean that he had a demon that was immune to the sun.

Not yet... With almost everything, it took time. Tanjirou and Nezuko definitely seemed to be rather promising, but he could tell that they were still demon-like, and unable to withstand the sun.

He sighed in frustration.

Even despite all of this... That boy still annoyed him. He still despised that boy... And even then, that boy was learning to become just like him. That was beyond terrifying for him.

Resisting his control, breaking free from their curse, and even having so many properties relating to that man. Naturally, it was to be expected. According to Michikatsu, they had relations with his younger brother's bloodline, and so found it appropriate to remove them as well.

But that boy… He not only survived his attack, turning into a demon in the process, but he seemed to have characteristics of that man.

He knew sun breathing… He knew that very damned breathing and had managed to strike a heart and brain, whilst the demon girl struck one of his hearts. Muzan was injured the most he had ever been in so long, and it was because of traitor demons.

That boy had those earrings as that monster. That memory of Yoriichi Tsugikuni was looming over Muzan, his figure terrifying the demon king.

That boy terrified him, and he knew he had to remove those siblings as soon as he could.

That boy, however, annoyed him and terrified him. While the boy and girl were thankfully still weak, and had their own issues, the potential for the both of them to be on the level of that man, that alone terrified him, and thus he needed to remove those two as soon as possible.

Calling onto some demons, he promised them some of his blood, for the heads of the two traitor demons.

Two demons, named Susamaru and Yahaba were called to the stand.

"Kill the demon slayer boy with a scar on his face and lower jaw, with hanafuda-like earrings. Alongside this, there will be a girl with vines around her face Kill both of those demons, and you will receive a generous amount of my blood." Was all Muzan told the two demons, as he walked off, not caring, but also worrying if they wanted to fit to properly defeat that monster lookalike.

Muzan chuckled. Even if that boy scared him, he was nothing like that monster. That boy still had a long way to go before he would even be on par with that man's levels. He was still weak.

Muzan smiled, "Yes, that boy is nothing to be a threat, at least not yet."

And so, Muzan decided to tell Kokushibo about the prospects of his brother's descendants coming back to fight them.

For even Muzan knew Kokushibo would have a personal vendetta against this boy. In short, Kokushibo was Muzan's last-ditch effort in case that boy became too powerful somehow.


Giyu's POV


He had abruptly left the estate. He knew he would regret it, but he sighed.

Giyu was depressed. No, he was always depressed. At least, that's what the Hashira's always labeled him as.

Most of the Hashira's hated him. Most did not care for him. Only a handful respected him. All because he was a quiet individual. He was someone with few words, and now, someone with no value.

He left no major impact on this world. Everyone he made an impact on was dead... And eventually, he would be dead, having no impact on this world, because no one would talk about him.

The fact of that somewhat scared him, but being alone was something he was used to.

After all, he was trapped in the basement of a mental health asylum run by his cousin for two years... That was after he was forced by some members of the village to be sent to the asylum run by his cousin.

What Giyu went through there was something he would take to his grave. The sheer trauma Giyu suffered from that was hell, and it took Sabito, Makomo, and Urokodaki years to manage to make him at least smile again.

Now all of them were dead... All of them were up there... And Giyu could only sigh, and wait for his time to leave this planet and join them.

There were times when Giyu thought about prematurely getting there. The earlier he got there, the better it could be for him. Now, he has stuck alone in this cruel world, around so hostile faces of pity.

He needed some time away, and he certainly did not need Shinobu making him feel worse. While he appreciated the girls trying to help him, it just was futile.

It was already too late for him. As he continued on his trek, he noticed his crow chilling on his shoulder.

"What are you doing?" Giyu asked his crow.

"Caw! Ubuyashiki would like to know where you are going?"

Giyu sighed, "I don't know. I just want some time to leave, for now."

"Caw! Leaving the demon slayer corps?" The crow asked.

"No." Giyu made it clear, as he continued walking. "I just need some time."

"Caw! Alright, Ubuyashiki would like you to return back to the estate when you're ready. If you are not, he can give you a mission!"

Giyu sighed, "It's fine, I'm probably going to train."

"Caw! If that's what you want, I will inform Ubuyashiki!" The crow explained.

"That is fine, for now, I will like some alone time," Giyu explained.

Giyu sighed, nodding as he sat down on a stump. He looked around, as he was contemplating everything. He didn't know what to do. The forest provided him with some form of tranquility. The evening atmosphere made it all better. Hearing the occasional birds helped ease his mind.

For some reason, animals made it a lot easier for Giyu to calm down. He had that experience at least, with Kaburamaru, from the little times he interacted with Iguro.

He was clearly in a trance, as he was unsure if he should continue.

A part of him was genuinely considering wanting to retire, just to avoid the violent cycle. A part of Giyu just wants to just live a normal life, and communicate with others.

The other, however, just wanted to be alone, and leave others outside of his sphere, just so that he wouldn't care as much if they passed.

He sighed, as he looked around yet again.

"Got to keep moving." Was all Giyu thought to himself as he continued going. He was hoping that he could get some time alone, considering everything ounce of pity he was receiving.

Seriously, the death of Urokodaki had caused the Pillars to suddenly look to Giyu, as if he was important. Not that they ever paid attention to him when everything was the status quo.

Unbeknownst to him, he was being followed, specifically by the medical practitioner of the estate.

Shinobu Kocho. While her sister was the Flower Pillar Hashira, Shinobu was still a respected demon slayer. Because of her size, she had to rely on the piercing stabbing of her sword to kill demons, that is laced with wisteria. She was also amongst the fastest within the group, with that being her only trait to match or surpass that of her sister.

Shinobu looked at the retreating figure of Giyu, and shook her head. She had to catch up to him, and for the first time, have to talk to him in the different way she was seeing him.

For she no longer saw Giyu as the introverted, awkward introvert. Instead, she now saw a broken individual, who needed help from others, before he fell down a dark hole. She saw how Giyu was falling into isolation. She had to stop this before Giyu did something bad.

Sure, it started by a flee by Kanae, her elder sister, but now it was something she too was seeing. Perhaps it was the same thing Kanae was seeing, but considering she knew Giyu for quite a time, around a year or two, she did develop a bit of a friendship with him, she would say.

And so, once she got close, she tapped his back.

"Hmm?" Giyu turned around to see Shinobu. He sighed silently, and groaned internally, not wanting to see anyone. "What are you doing?" He asked, in a tired tone.

"I came to check up on you." Was all Shinobu answered, clearly trying to speak more softly, to not come off as rude as what Giyu would interpret.

"Well, I'm doing fine, thanks for asking." Giyu thanked her insincerely, before trying to leave.

"Come on Giyu, you had three girls coming to make sure you were alright, and you just choose to leave?" Shinobu asked, with a smile on her face.

Giyu, stopped, before rolling his eyes in annoyance. "Well, I just thought you three were wasting your time for someone like me."

Shinobu flinched at that, "Oh please, I only came because I was dragged by my sister. After all, she kind of understands what you've been through."

"Oh really?" Giyu asked, crossing his arms. "What exactly?" Where is your sister?

Shinobu sighed, "Alright fine, I came on my own intuition... But I have to help you, because I know what it's like to lose people I care for, to demons..."

"Our parents…" Shinobu's face turned mellow, "Were killed by demons, and we were orphans."

"Is that so?" Giyu asked, clearly with a face of at least trying to care.

"Yes. So Kanae was telling me how if I understood, I should be there, and plus, I think you are a good…" Shinobu was struggling to say what she wanted, "A good guy…"

"Oh, thanks." Giyu commented, before he looked up, "I don't have time for you, so get lost."

"W-What?" Shinobu asked, shocked that Giyu had basically told her off.

"You claim to be nice to me, and claim to understand me, but you don't. You know very little about me. All you probably know about me now is that my trainer was a former water pillar who is now dead, and you only know that because it was public. You and the rest of the Hashira never sat down with me and tried to understand me, only agreeing with Sanemi when he thought I was boasting about how I was greater than you all." Giyu ranted.

"You and Kanae claim to care for me, but, you both are only trying to get me to do something I'm uncomfortable with. You mix up the term of us either being friends or acquaintances and whenever I actually think you are being nice to me, you retreat back and insult me. Do friends or even acquaintances insult each other and make the other feel bad about themselves?" Giyu asked.

"G-Giyu, those ar-"

"I don't care!" Giyu yelled out to Shinobu, "I HATE HOW HYPOCRITICAL YOU ARE! YOU ARE BEING SELFISH! IF YOU REALLY CARED FOR ME, YOU WOULD HAVE TREATED ME AS A FRIEND WHEN YOU MET ME!"

Shinobu was once again hearing the yell Giyu, which was shocking to her. "G-Giyu please…"

"No! Shut up! I don't care for you! I never did! I don't care about you! I don't care about anyone in the Hashira title! I just care about myself! So stop wasting your time with worrying about me and just live your happy life with your sister and tsuguko!" Giyu exclaimed in anger. It was similar to when Giyu had angrily yelled at Tanjirou. He was absolutely losing it, and he needed a break. "I HATE YOU!"

Shinobu was hurt by what Giyu was telling her, but she had to help him. She had to fix her mistakes now, even if Giyu hated her. She deserved everything Giyu was telling her, and perhaps Giyu was just in a vulnerable place right now. A situation nobody should ever be alone for.

Meanwhile, Giyu was eyeing Shinobu, with his now, dead, emotionless, blue eyes, that now seemed like the calmness of the sea, hiding the chaotic lifeforms that lay deep in the shores.

"That's it, please, just forget about me. Just leave me alone. I cannot afford you all to try and befriend me. If you become my enemy, I'd much rather you hate me than you care for me." Giyu was thinking, clearly knowing what he wanted to do. He wanted Shinobu to hate him. "This way, if you all die, I won't have any regrets for caring for you..."

Shinobu, however, refused to leave. She couldn't. While before, she was trying to break Giyu out of his shell, and sure she insulted them, she was just trying to show him the causal nature in which individuals talked to each other.

Shinobu deserved whatever hatred and insults Giyu was throwing at her, she felt. After everything she would say and remark to Giyu, she felt that she deserved to be on the other side of it. So, she let him insult her back, and critique her regardless of everything.

Because now, she was seeing something... She was seeing a different side to Giyu...

By now, she knew she had to show a different side to Giyu, for everything she thought she knew about Giyu, was wrong. She could tell looking at Giyu how broken he was...

Gyomei was the one to tell her.

Shinobu and Kanae had a deep respect and adoration for Gymoei, considering he was the one to rescue the two of them when their family was killed by a demon. Gyomei could tell the deep sense of pain Giyu showed.

To quote the religious male, "Out of all the Hashira, and people I've met, Giyu Tomioka is the one who seems the most in pain... He is the one with the most regrets, and the most self-hatred within this group."

When Gyomei revealed that to Shinobu and Kanae, it shocked the two.

"I can sense a deep sense of regret, self-hatred, and loss coming from that individual. I don't know it exactly, but it certainly haunts him, for he doesn't seem to sleep properly, either... And even the injuries he comes back to, see forced to sustain..." Gyomei had told both Butterfly girls.

Right now, he was broken. Right now, he needed people to help him. She wouldn't let him run away. She wouldn't let him be alone.

She couldn't stand that. Even if she had some anger for her family's death, she had gotten over it. She had her eldest sister, but Giyu had no one it seemed.

She needed to be there for Giyu.

And so, she did something she hoped Giyu wouldn't tell anyone.

She hugged him, tightly.

"I'm sorry Giyu, but I cannot leave you like this…" Shinobu cried. She cried for Giyu's mental health being shot. She cried for Giyu's own predicament.

She cried when Giyu couldn't or at least seemed to have not been able to.

"The truth is… I had thought of you wrong this entire time…" Shinobu revealed.

"W-What?" Giyu asked, clearly confused. "What do you mean by that?" He asked again.

"This entire time, I thought you were just a shy, awkward guy who had trouble speaking to others." Shinobu sighed as she lowered her hands down, "So, I was trying to be your friend, to show you how causal it could be."

"But…" Shinobu's smile disappeared. "I never took your quietness for suffering… I never thought once you had suffered a loss. Well, maybe that's a given considering you are a demon slayer, but I've never thought how much your tragedies may have affected you…"

Giyu tried his best not to show emotions. He was trying his hardest not to. He couldn't let Shinobu in on his suffering. If he did, then there was no doubt in his mind that Shinobu would be looking over his every action.

This already happened after he returned from a mission. Because he was very hesitant to seek medical assistance, almost to the point of fainting at a Hashira Meeting, Shinobu was told by Kanae to make sure Giyu gets the appropriate medical attention whenever he returns from a mission.

After that, Shinobu only realized how many injuries Giyu would accumulate. When she told Kanae, she mumbled, "Damn, he's worse than Sanemi when it comes to that..."

She however took a firm stance, eyeing Giyu, who was at a crossroads.

"Just get her away from you. Make her hate you so much she won't ever talk to you again. Just do it Giyu."

"I should have been more considerate, I never thought some of our conversations would have been triggering… I was just trying to get you out of your shell…" Shinobu revealed. As she accumulated more information about Giyu, the more she felt sorry for him.

Perhaps she was being selfish, and perhaps she was showing pity, but was that wrong? Was it selfish that she wanted Giyu to be happier? Was it selfish for her to want to be his friend?

"Giyu… what did you witness to be like this?" Shinobu asked at last. "Why did you have to suffer how you did?" Shinobu was now clasping her tiny hands over Giyu's trying to calm him down. "Perhaps I am being selfish in looking over you, but at the end of the day, I wouldn't be paying this much attention to you if I wasn't. So yes I'm selfish, but it's because I do care for you."

"Oh shut up, Kocho. You hate me. You even insult me alongside Iguro and Sanemi." Giyu mumbled.

"It's playful banter, Giyu. I'm sure they don't mean it. Secretly, they respect you as much as every Hashira, I believe." Shinobu tried to ease Giyu's own mental unsureness. Right now, Shinobu had to care for Giyu. It only made sense. Maybe there were some innate feelings Shinobu had for Giyu, but her focus and worry for Giyu overshadowed it.

At this, Giyu gritted his teeth and lowered his head, not wanting to show Shinobu.

"Giyu. Please… I've failed you all this time… I shouldn't have been like this to you… I should've been more aware of what you've been through..." Shinobu smiled sadly. In truth, she was hurting for Giyu.

"Please, Tomioka, give me another chance," Shinobu begged, clearly wanting to sort out whatever issues Giyu was dealing with. She wanted to make this right, and this involved getting to know him, truly. She realized that Giyu didn't need friends, he needed closure and confidence in himself.

At this, Giyu shook his head, as the tears threatened to spill out. He couldn't cry, he didn't want to.

"If this is for yelling at you all back on the estate, I'm sorry…" Giyu said at last. He needed to get her out of there quickly. "Just... Leave me alone..."

"No, Giyu. Stop. Stop blaming yourself. It's not your fault. And I won't leave you alone..." Shinobu responded. "And I'm here because sure I was pursued by my sister, but also for my own doing of wanting to know you better."

Giyu's eyes widened as he heard those words.

"It's not your fault." Sabito would always tell Giyu that. When he got injured in Final Selection, Sabito would always tell him that.

Giyu shook his head, "Yes it is. And you don't have any reason to look after or care for me."

"No Giyu, don't blame yourself…" Shinobu told him. Right now, Shinobu was reminding him of Sabito, and eventually in Shinobu's arms, he began to cry. "And for the record, even if I didn't I would still be inclined since I'm a leader in the medical unit for the corps."

"Why… why do I have to lose everyone!" Giyu called out, while all Shinobu could do was share the sadness Giyu was showing. She couldn't understand the person Giyu was, or what he went through, but what she could do, was try and be there for him. Try to befriend him, and give him a social group that could support him.

Humans were social creatures, and having strong support groups of other friends and families was important to help them prosper and become resilient. Thus, Giyu was vulnerable when it came to basic psychopathology, at least in modern times, something Shinobu was ahead of, compared to those her senior.

However, what shocked her were the tears that were spilling out of Giyu's eyes. That shocked her. Even if she were to remark that Giyu could cry, she knew everyone at one point in their life cried. As a baby, but as an adult, it was rare.

Unless you were Gyomei, but that was beyond the point.

In all this time, she never thought she would ever hear Giyu cry. The emotionless, stoic, and supposedly quiet Giyu, was crying in her arms. Under no circumstances did she think it would come to this. But beyond those sobs, did Shinobu get the picture. Here, Shinobu began to realize, just how much Giyu has been holding it in.

Gyomei was right... Giyu really was a broken soul...

"How many people did you lose, Giyu to suffer like this?" Shinobu mumbled to himself as Giyu was receding his crying.

All the while he was crying, she tried her best to console Giyu as he was letting it out. As Shinobu continued to listen she counted around five individual names she heard Giyu cry out in agony.

Shinobu could only imagine the kinds of people, friends, and family Giyu lost to demons, and as she heard, she knew Giyu was more lost and more broken than she initially thought.

"Maybe sister was right… Maybe he does mean something to me, but hearing him like this, just wants me hug him and even shower him with love… Is it because I feel bad for him, or because I'm seeing a different side of him I want to see?"

Once the crying ceased and Giyu got up, Shinobu sighed, "I won't force you to come back to the estate, you can go out wherever you want for now, but make sure to come back alright?"

Giyu nodded after a bit, "Yeah, I'll try."

"I don't know what to do, now… Why did I let her hug me? Why didn't I continue berating her to the point of hating me?" Giyu thought to himself, as he was confused. He was tired, he was sad. He didn't want to live. He was so confused about everything.

Why was Shinobu being so nice to him all of a sudden?

"Thank you." With that, Shinobu left Giyu alone, and whilst Giyu continued up the mountain, Shinobu had a plan to help Giyu get better.

For now, Giyu had climbed up the mountain, trying to find the right materials. He was on his way to getting a new mask that would honor his teacher, Urokodaki.

After that, it was training for him. He needed to be stronger considering the life he lived. He didn't want to have relationships and bonds with other people, now.

In the meantime, Giyu was going to train, he needed to become stronger. He needed to get new forms of his breathing. Since he was the only remaining

When he came back, he knew it would be quite the commotion, but for now, he would enjoy the solitude he had.

"If this is what I must do, then so be it…" Giyu mumbled to himself, as he continued on trek up the mountain.

"What am I supposed to do, now?" Giyu pondered. He was unsure what to live for.

"I truly am a man, of no worth..." Giyu sighed, as he got up, and went on his new adventure, without anyone to help him.


Tanjirou and Nezuko


"So, you both have managed to escape your desires and if you are truthful about not eating any humans, then you are both miracles…" Tamayo explained.

It took a bit of time, but Tanjirou and Nezuko had introduced themselves to Tamayo, who was the demon they were searching for, from Ubuyashiki.

"I also heard about the recent passing of your mentor, Urokodaki. May I wish him a peaceful life next time, and that he rests easy." Tamayo gave a salute to their fallen teacher.

"Yeah, it was unexpected and to think it occurred in the exact same way for us… The only difference is that was how we became demons." Tanjirou sighed.

"I understand. But to be demons for under a year, and having accomplished so much, it's remarkable." Tamayo explained. "I think we should head back to our place of residency for now."

With that, the four individuals made their way back.

Whilst Tamayo was sweet, the other demon companion… Not so much.

Yushiro, or whatever his name was, had immediately insulted Nezuko, which garnished a headbutt from Tanjirou, and so the two got off to a bad start. To say Nezuko was confused was an understatement. She knew Tanjirou was overprotective of her, and did not take to people insulting her or his family, but seeing Tanjirou act that aggressively was to this day, somewhat rare.

"So you both can say his name, without suffering the curse?" Tamayo asked.

"What curse?" Tanjirou asked, and that's when Nezuko had a lightbulb.

"Wait… One of those demons told us he would explode if he said Muzan's name…" Nezuko mumbled, "I thought it was a bunch of made-up overdramatic excuses the demon made up."

"Well, as overdramatic as it is, it's the honest truth. Muzan is a coward, and thus any demons who yield and say his name, are like a kill command for all of Muzan's demonic cells." Tamayo explained. "However, those who can say his name have become different, the cells in your body become different enough that they're not considered Muzan cells. In essence, these are called traitors." Tamayo added.

"Wow…" That was all Tanjirou could say, and Nezuko too was somewhat surprised. In doing so, they had shown unintentionally to many demons that they had actually broken the Muzan curse for quite some time.

"And this is all a feat you two've been able to perform in under a year. That is impressive." Tamayo praised the two siblings. In the back, Yushiro eyed the two demons with skepticism, despite Tamayo's warm hospitality.

"So, are you the demon ally Ubuyashiki's been talking about?" Nezuko asked, clearly trying to get into the state of the conversation.

"Yes, some of the Hashira are aware of me, whilst others have been blindsided by us," Tamayo explained.

"Well, that's…" Tanjirou didn't know what to say exactly. All he could do was just listen as Tamayo explained everything.

"But what I do know, is that Kibutsuji Muzan killed your family, and turned you both into demons," Tamayo explained and theorized.

"Actually…" Tanjirou thought out loud, "When both Nezuko and I encountered him directly, he seemed surprised to see me alive. Maybe he didn't mean to turn me into a demon."

"That is possible, however, Muzan would usually find that out, and kill the demon," Tamayo explained.

"Uh, Tamayo, how does this signify to Muzan, exactly?" Tanjirou asked, "I'm trying to find more information about Muzan, but also to turn both Nezuko and me back to humans."

At this, Tamayo had a face of shock present on her face. That was perhaps the first instance she ever had regarding a demon wanting to become a human again.

"Well I think that's a fine goal, Tanjirou and Nezuko," Tamayo said at last, eyeing Yushiro's scowl. Tanjirou noticed this too, knowing Yushiro was overly protective of Tamayo. To have demons talking to her was something that could easily put Tamayo in danger.

"It's so impressive, however. Two demons going this far into holding their instincts… When did you snap out of your demonic instincts?" Tamayo asked the two.

Tanjirou sighed, "Probably when I woke up." At this, Tamayo's face widened in shock.

"How?! He woke up holding control of his own humanity?!" Tamayo thought in shock, even though she was in disbelief.

"What about Nezuko?" Tamayo asked.

"That's a different story…" Nezuko mumbled. "I had to be snapped out by my brother, but I didn't develop properly. My voice and mouth didn't work, so I could only follow what my brother asked me to do. I didn't develop my voice until I fell asleep for under four months."

"Wow…" Tamayo pondered. "Well in that case, may we get a sample of your blood?"

"Huh?" Tanjirou and Nezuko asked, clearly confused.

"You idiots! Do you want to become humans or not?!" Tamayo's lapdog, Yushiro angrily spoke to the two siblings after a bit of retaining his silence.

"Yushiro, be nice to our guests," Tamayo told Yushiro, who nodded.

"Yes ma'am!"

"Anyways, yes, we would like to extract your blood, to get a better understanding of what makes the two of you different amongst newly turned demons. Since you both are so young being demons, your blood cells may be different, or similar to that of Muzan's demon cells." Tamayo explained.

"Oh, yeah that can work." Tanjirou nodded.

Nezuko agreed, adding, "Go ahead."

"Now that I got that condition, since the both of you want to become humans, right?" Tamayo asked, to which the two siblings nodded, "Then I'll need another favor from the two of you."

"And what is that?" Tanjirou asked.

"I'll need the blood of the twelve kizuki from Muzan, you know who those are, right?" Tamayo asked the two.

Both Tanjirou and Nezuko nodded, "Yes, they are the demons closest tied to Muzan."

"Good, then I guess our meeting and agreement are done," Tamayo said.

"Just like that?" Tanjirou asked, "Are you sure you don't want us to stay for more questions?"

"She said she's done! Now leave!" Yushiro exclaimed to both of them.

"Yushiro!" Tamayo yet again gave a disapproving tone, which effectively made Yushiro silence himself.

"So, we need to find the demon moons, how will we get the blood to you?" Tanjirou asked.

"That'll be easy, we will use Chachamaru," Tamayo explained.

"Who's Chachamaru?" Tanjirou asked, only to see Nezuko playing with a cat.

"That's Chachamaru," Tamayo spoke, finding it really easy that the Chachamaru just found itself involved with the siblings now.

"As for finding out where the blood demon moons are, I, unfortunately, cannot give you any more information about that." Tamayo smiled sadly.

"That's fine Tamayo! I'm sure Nezuko and I can find something out about them!" Tanjirou exclaimed.

"Actually, I may have some information about a lower moon," Nezuko explained. Tanjirou, for his part, looked surprised.

"And what is this about?" Tanjirou asked.

"Well it was from the former demon moon from the mansion, but he said one of the demon moons was chilling on Mount Natagumo," Nezuko explained to Tanjirou, and thus the two had a plan for their first target.

"Well…" Tanjirou sighed, "I guess that makes our mission a bit easier, don't you think?"

"Indeed, and while I understand the both of you wanting to go out now to fight and get the blood needed to become humans, I will need the both of you to stay here for a bit," Tamayo explained.

"And why is that?" Tanjirou asked.

"Well, remember, we are taking some of your blood, and we would like if you two could stay back so that we could explain to the both of you what makes the two of you so different from Muzan's loyal demons," Tamayo revealed.

"Of course, we can stay for a bit!" Nezuko smiled before she smirked at Yushiro, who now had a groan and a tick of annoyance on his face. It looked very funny if Tanjirou said so himself.

As the two began to relax, both Tanjirou and Nezuko both decided to go outside to relax. It was currently nighttime, and the two wanted to practice their demon-slaying skills. In truth, it was because of their poor performance against Muzan, but considering he was the strongest of all demons, it made sense.

Still, it made both Tanjirou and Nezuko sad that they weren't able to even match their ability. In a sense, they needed to prove to Muzan that they were a threat, whilst to the demon slayers, that they were truly meant to slay demons, and that they were on their side, not the demons.

And so, the two were chilling outside, as they were trying to practice their skills.

However, it seemed fate would have different plans.

The two, both Nezuko and Tanjirou noticed two demons were entering the house.

Immediately, Tanjirou yelled out.

"Watch out!"

Immediately, Tanjirou and Nezuko ducked what seemed to be a ball heading toward their faces.

From the basement, they could hear Yushiro and Tamayo wondering what was happening.

He was hoping the two were staying low so that they could focus on killing the sudden demons.

"Hahaha! You were right Yahaba! The building appeared like there was nothing there before!" A girl exclaimed.

"Yes Susamaru, now let's get these orders down before we lose our part of the deal," Yahaba mumbled as they approached the building.

"And would you look at that, out comes the two wanted demons, dead, by our lord?" Susamaru added.

"Looks like they can use a blood demon art… This will be difficult…" Tanjirou mumbled as he told Nezuko telepathically.

"Indeed, we'll need to properly distribute them and attack them evenly," Nezuko added.

"Oh Susamaru, you do such childish things sometimes, please make sure you take this seriously," Yahaba exclaimed in exasperation.

Blood Demon Art: Hiasobi Temari

Blood Demon Art: Koketsu Arrow

Immediately, both Tanjirou and Nezuko began to dodge, but to their shock, they saw a simple arrow flying toward the two.

Unfortunately, the Temari ball maneuvered itself to strike Tanjirou's head.

Tanjirou quickly found his neck grazed.

"Ack!" Tanjirou exclaimed in shock.

He saw another ball approaching him, and he quickly acted.

Water Breathing, Seventh Form: Drop Ripple Thrust, Curve

Striking the temari ball directly in the middle using his nirchirin blade. Unfortunately, he noticed the ball began to move through his sword.

The ball continued to maneuver itself around, as it made its way towards Nezuko's head. She tried to dodge, only for the ball to fake maneuver, before coming back to strike Nezuko in the head, knocking it off.

"Nezuko!" Tanjirou's eyes widened in shock. He saw Nezuko's body fall to the ground, limp.

"Nezuko! Please!" Tanjirou was clearly shocked, trying to beg Nezuko to come back to life.

"Please..." Tanjirou begged internally, as he felt tears beginning to rise in his eyes, as Nezuko's own body was not moving. He saw the motionless head of his sister, not moving or showing anything but surprise...

Tanjirou's eyes dilated, as he felt his demonic urges once again bombard him.

"They killed your sister... Are you really going to let this slide?" The demonic version of Tanjirou began to take over as he felt his appearance change to match that of a demon.

"You two just killed my sister... Expect no mercy from me." Was all Tanjirou mumbled as he was no longer showing any emotions.

He quickly turned towards the two demons, in anger. They had just harmed his sister, and that was unacceptable.

With a heavy breath intake, Tanjirou felt his body heating up, and he charged toward the two demons. He was in no mood to talk to them, as he was seeing these two demons as monsters, for hurting his sister so much.

He would kill them. And, he wouldn't regret it whatsoever.

With a maniacal chuckle, Tanjirou lunged at them.

Total Concentration – Water Breathing, Third Form: Flowing Dance

Dancing with his form, he charged to Susamaru, as he felt his sword cut directly through the temari ball.

Susamaru looked somewhat shocked, as she did not expect Tanjirou to be able to cut through the temari balls that easily.

"So a demon, huh? I guess killing you and your sister will be more difficult than I thought..." Susamaru chuckled.

"I'll have to throw them at a much harder and faster velocity!" Susamaru exclaimed as she continued to throw her temari balls toward Tanjirou, who merely dodged them.

Of course, the balls had a mind of their own, as Tanjirou dodged, almost dancing in a form to make it difficult for him to be caught.

"I can notice that both of their blood demon arts are somewhat interconnected. It seems that the temari balls were just actual balls, but Yahaba's arrows are what allowed those temari balls to be flung around in an erratic form…" Tanjirou mumbled. Looking directly at Yahaba, he knew he had to focus on him. "Looks like I have to eliminate Yahaba before Susamaru, as those arrows can be a problem even if I got rid of the balls..."

"You are mine! I'll scourge your skull for hurting my sister!" Tanjirou yelled in anger, as he charged towards Yahaba with fury. Yabaha looked alarmed as he noticed that Tanjirou was deciding to focus on him.

Thankfully, Tanjirou knew exactly what to do to counter this demon.

Flickering his body around to avoid the arrows heading straight towards him, he got close enough to him that he acted now.

"Even if the arrows strike me if I just spin, I can hopefully create a force enough with my breathing technique to make them surround me and go off of me safely." Tanjirou thought to himself as he knew what to do. He was not going to hesitate, because these two demons hurt and killed his little sister.

"Irredeemable!" Tanjirou yelled in his mind as he was eyeing Yahaba with pure hatred.

Total Concentration – Water Breathing, Ninth Form: Splashing Water Flow

As Tanjirou swung his sword, he, unfortunately, found his right eye stabbed directly through by one of the arrows, and another going straight through his chest.

Tanjirou coughed a bit, as he cursed when the demon got away. He cursed, as he noticed the temari balls were manipulated towards Tanjiro. Sighing, he had to find a way to cover as much distance as he could. He still needed to spin more aggressively.

He breathed in yet again, as he felt his body become easy yet again.

Thankfully, he had an idea to end Yahabu as soon as he could. If he could properly execute it, then he could properly and quickly execute Yahaba, and that would leave Susamaru soon enough.

Once this occurred, Tanjirou found himself at a difficult standpoint. He was being pincered by both the demons and was just trying to find the correct opening.

"If I could just get a proper opening, then I can remove a major threat on the field!" Tanjriou exclaimed. As a result, he had spent most of his breathing, just dodging fluently the temari balls, doing so in such an erratic way it made it impossible for both demons to find a pattern to strike him.

Eventually, Tanjirou noticed it. He noticed a thread.

Water Breathing, Fourth Form, Modified: Flashing Tsunami Dance

The only problem Tanjirou had, unfortunately, was making his way toward the demon, who at this point was doing his best to avoid and lengthen the distance from Tanjirou.

Blood Demon Art: Koketsu Arrow

As Tanjirou tried to make his way toward Yahaba, the demon knew he was in trouble. And so, he used the eye on his arm to initiate as many arrows as he possibly could. He needed to use them all if he wanted to skewer this demon whole.

Tanjirou grunted in disbelief as he felt the arrows once again strike him. However, this time, the arrow tried to carry him back, which it did. Tanjirou found himself being struck back towards a fence before the rest of the arrows bombarded Tanjirou more. Tanjirou gasped as he coughed out blood.

"HA!" Yahaba exclaimed, "Master will be content once I finally get rid of you!" Yahaba smirked. "You really are weaker than I thought."

Tanjirou grumbled. While his injuries were healing and regenerating, he had to get back up and try to once again replicate what he just did, but also succeed.

There was no doubt in his mind that what he just did would definitely not work again. He had to shake up his offense.

"Usually in a fight, an evenly matched defensive person requires 3 people to attack at once to break the field. That means I'm at a disadvantage. Because he can just hurl those arrows at me from a different... I have to use everything in my ability to break this stalemate." Tanjirou thought as he was trying to focus.

Water Breathing, Sixth Form: Whirlpool

Tanjirou growled as he ran straight ahead toward Yahaba.

"Are you serious? Running straight towards me? How dumb are you!" Yahaba laughed, as he saw this as a plea of desperation. Launching his arrows directly toward Tanjirou, his eyes widened in shock as Tanjirou spun around, the arrows rotating around Tanjirou, as he was barely able to see Tanjirou within the whirlpool.

However, to his shock, he couldn't see Tanjirou.

"Where did he go?" Yahaba asked, clearly shocked, before he felt a nagging feeling above him.

He looked up, and to his shock, saw Tanjirou hurling down towards his neck. "SHIT! How did he get up there?!" Yahaba asked in shock.

Tanjirou managed to get up there, by grabbing onto the arrow, which instinctively launched him straight up, causing him to let go.

As Tanjirou fell down towards Yahaba, he saw the very thing he wanted to see. The one thing that made him confident this would be the final strike.

"That thread!" Tanjirou exclaimed, "Now's the time!" And so, with a mighty swing, he activated his own plan.

Total Concentration – Water Breathing, Sixth Form: Whirlpool

Managing to spin his body around, he unleashed a whirlpool of dirt that made it difficult for the two demons to spot him. All the temari balls and arrows that were trying to strike Tanjirou found themselves being spun around erratically.

Tanjirou took this time to skillfully move towards Yahaba. Of course, Yahaba noticed this and quickly tried to gain distance.

But Tanjirou had seen the opening and was going to string them perfectly to make it unavoidable for Yahaba.

"This is it for you, you scoundrel! This is for hurting my sister!" Tanjirou yelled angrily, as he unleashed the heat from his body.

Total Concentration – Water Breathing, Second Form – Horizontal Waterwheel

Suddenly, the temari balls that were spun around by the whirlpool were now being spun around by the waterwheel that Tanjirou had whipped up. Using it to cover himself, he could tell where Yahaba was, and by analyzing his patterns of retreat, he had managed to perfectly deduce where he would be.

Before Yahaba knew it, Tanjirou, with two of his breathing forms, had managed to send the very arrows Yahaba had sent to Tanjirou, right back at him. Yahaba's eyes widened before he felt some of the arrows strike him, whilst the others, he had to dodge quickly.

Once again Tanjirou's vision flickered, just enough for him to see Yahaba's current placement, and with his smell, he could act accordingly.

Maneuvering his body closer to Yahaba, he swung his blade around quickly to end Yahaba right there and now.

Successfully, Tanjirou heard the sound of flesh slicing and was contempt to see Yahaba's head flying off of his body.

Tanjirou wasn't done. Using the remaining momentum of his waterwheel, he safely deflected the rest of the temari balls and arrows across. He had purposely overused the move to make sure he wouldn't be hit by any ending attack or residue.

Tanjirou took a sigh of relief before he looked towards the other demon, Susamaru.

Almost immediately once he looked to the other side, his anger and bloodlust for killing the demons went away almost immediately, once he saw something.

And what he saw surprised him.

"You will not hurt my brother!" Nezuko exclaimed, as before Susamaru could even throw her temari balls toward Tanjirou, Nezuko grabbed Susamaru by her arms, preventing her from throwing her temari balls.

And the ones she managed to throw, were with so little power that they just fell within a meter away from each other.

"Stop restraining me!" Susamaru exclaimed, clearly trying to escape.

"How is she overpowering me? Who has 6 arms?!" Susamaru exclaimed in shock. She was clearly trying, but to her embarrassment, she was being overpowered by 2 arms to 6 arms.

"This girl! If I cannot get released from her grip, the Yahaba will die!" Susamaru exclaimed, clearly shocked at the sheer ease the two were having against defeating them.

Susamaru was trying to escape from Nezuko.

"Stop! Yahaba's going to die!" Susamaru exclaimed before she tried throwing her temari balls yet again. She couldn't sack Nezuko in the face because her head was decapitated by her previously. She soon began to cry once she realized Yahaba had perished. Her inability to escape a headless demon had caused both of them to fail.

And so, Susamaru's battle with Nezuko was more of her trying to escape the grasp of Nezuko's headless body.

While Nezuko's head wasn't regenerated, her body was still working, whilst her head on the ground was eyeing Sasumaru keenly as if she was using the vision to stop her.

What Nezuko was doing, however, was holding all of Sasumaru's hands tightly, preventing her from throwing any of her Temari balls. Plus, with Yahaba went, they no longer had their unpredictable pattern anymore.

Therefore, just like that, both demons were defeated, just like that. Yahaba had his head cut off, and Susamaru was tightly locked by Nezuko.

Taking the time, Tanjirou held Nezuko's head and placed it where it used to be on her body, and thankfully, it began to reattach itself together. Tanjirou didn't know why he thought that killed his sister at first.

However, now they had a hostage demon.

Thankfully, with time, Tamayo and Yushiro quickly got up from their barricade and noticed the commotion.

"What's going on?" Tamayo asked.

"These two demons tried to kill us." Was all Tanjirou told her, "The suspected twelve kizuki?"

Tamayo eyed Susamaru, "She isn't a twelve kizuki member, she's too weak. Alas, her blood will be important for our research."

"Speaking of which, you might want to come down, we have a lot to explain."

"Wait! What about me?!" Susamaru asked, clearly given up fighting now that she was wrestled, her arms unable to do anything now that Nezuko was gripping all SIX of them, somehow.

Tanjirou chuckled, as he eyed Susamaru with a demoralizing view.

"Serious, this is someone who expected to be a twelve kizuki member?" Tanjirou chuckled.

"Shut up! I won't say anything!" Susamaru exclaimed.

"Well then, let's ask her some questions, can you explain to us who Muzan is, and anything about him? That coward…" Tamayo asked before Susamaru could answer.

Blood Demon Art, Blood Bewitchment: Magical Aroma of Daylight:

"Oh! Muzan! He's not a coward! Kibutsuji is-" She then realized what she did. She said his name.

"No! Please forgive me!" Susamaru suddenly yelled out, wanting forgiveness.

"The beauty of my blood demon art. Total truth. Once you said his name, you inevitably triggered the curse. Good luck and have a nice life." That was all Tamayo said before she walked away from the now-crying demon.

And so, to Tanjirou and Nezuko's complete shock, Susamaru quite literally began to discombobulate.

Tamayo sighed, "She will die, but Muzan's cells will remain to get rid of the flesh." With that, Tamayo began to inject a syringe into her brain, getting the blood she needed for her sample.

"Also, this demon is not a twelve kizuki, they would usually have a number engraved in their eyeball. Both of her eyes are not marked. The other is also not a twelve kizuki, both were too weak." Tamayo explained.

While Tanjirou did know that, considering he had a brief tussle with one of the twelve kizuki, it was upsetting he somewhat struggled a bit against a weaker demon.

In the end, Tanjirou and Nezuko noticed the remains of Susamaru wanting her temari.

"Please… Please play with me…" She begged.

As her body continued to fade, Tanjirou and Nezuko both felt pity for her. She was tricked into something she wasn't, and inevitably died for a poor cause, just for one man's selfishness.

And it was that day, did they both realize, demons could be tragic creatures.

"Now that this is resolved, you both should come down, so we can explain what he found in your blood," Tamayo explained.

Once that entire situation was solved, Tanjirou and Nezuko followed Tamayo downstairs to see what she wanted to tell the two of them.

"What is this?" Tanjirou asked as he noted two different blood. One was crimson red, while the other was scarlet.

"Tanjirou, this is your blood," Tamayo revealed, pointing to the scarlet-colored blood. "And this." Pointing to the crimson red blood cells, "Are Muzans's demon cells."

"Alright, now what do you want to show me?" Tanjirou asked.

"Take a look when I put them in the same container," Tamayo revealed, as she put both Tanjirou's blood cells and Muzan's blood cells together. To Tanjirou's shock, the blood, while originally mixed and segregated, began to eventually turn to a scarlet colour, which was Tanjirou's blood.

"Wait, what?" Tanjirou mumbled. "What does this mean?"

Tamayo turned to Tanjirou, "It's simple. Tanjioru Kamado, it seems your blood is pathogenic to Muzan's cells."

"How… How is that even working?" Tanjirou asked.

"Well, it gets complicated. In essence, we theorize that if you supply a demon who is full of Muzan's blood cells with your blood cells, they will infect and hijack Muzan's blood cells, manipulating the genetic information, the code for its function."

"Uh…" Tanjirou mumbled.

"In essence, if Muzan's blood cells had a function, your cells are changing the code to be different. In the process of this, your blood cells use Muzan's blood cells to create more of your blood cells. It's strangely, like a virus." Tamayo explained.

"Actually, it's more like an oncogenic virus, because your blood cells hijack Muzan's cells, telling them to create a modified version of Muzan's cells, which is your own until Muzan's demonic cells are destroyed. In fact, that's what is happening in your body right now, Tanjirou." Tamayo revealed.

"Your body creates Muzan's cells as his blood had changed your genetics, however, the mutation of your own cells has created a virus to Muzan's cells. Your blood cells rely on Muzan's cells to multiply and function, but thankfully your body creates just enough to keep you living. In other demons, however, that happens." Tamayo points to the glass of scarlet color.

"Rapid abnormal growth, almost like cancer. The number of cells being killed in the demon's body would function like a poison, ironically, killing demons with more concentration of Muzan's cells, meaning you would fare better against the twelve kizuki."

"As for some other properties of your cells, they seem to also be absorbing the sunlight from the moon. While I don't recommend standing out in the daytime soon, keep a check on how you feel regarding energy." Tamayo notified Tanjirou who nodded.

"Wow… That's a lot to take in. But what about Nezuko?" Tanjirou asked.

"Well, she's intriguing as well," Tamayo revealed.

"It seems that Nezuko has abnormal control over her cells, even right now. She is actually moving them as we speak, and can theoretically activate them whenever she wants. That isn't new to demons, but being able to do so at a microscopic level is what intrigues us. She has extraordinary control over her blood. It makes me wonder, what blood demon art you both will have." Tamayo explained.

"Also, for any questions about your and her blood interacting, it seems Nezuko's blood has deviated itself differently enough from Muzan's to not suffer an infection from yours," Tamayo explained.

Tanjirou sighed at that, "Well that's a relief."

Tamayo nodded, "I hope this gives you a better understanding of what's going on with both of your bodies, while I'm unsure if you both will unlock a blood demon art, the fact that you can eat human food, and Nezuko can sleep without needing human flesh is incredible." Tamayo explained.

"Haha, thanks Tamayo! We'll be on our way! We'll get you as much demon blood as you need for this cure!" Tanjirou and Nezuko exclaimed as the two went on their way.

Tamayo sighed, as she and Yushiro were now headed elsewhere to find a safe place, away from Muzan. While the siblings wanted to help them, Yushiro was against it, whilst Tamayo merely wanted two to focus on collecting demon blood.

"Wait!" Tanjirou exclaimed.

Yushiro sighed angrily, "What is it now?"

"Can we get new masks?"


A.N / I didn't really know how to explain the fight with Yahaba and Susamura, but I managed. This I always wanted to make in a comedic route, to prove that it wasn't necessarily difficult for both of them. The first reason, was because Nezuko was more prominent, showing that Tanjirou and Nezuko are stronger than in the manga and anime. However, again, they aren't overly powerful yet, even if Tanjirou gets flickers in his vision.

As for the explanation of what Tanjirou and Nezuko's cells are doing, this is kind of setting up the progression for both of their blood demon arts. For Tanjirou, his blood cells will be used more for dealing with demons, as Tamayo had stated, whilst Nezuko will deal more with manipulation and flexibility.

In the meantime, next chapter, we will see how Giyu's doing, whilst seeing some major updates for Tanjirou and Nezuko, as they'll be talking to demon slayers again.


Character Profile


Tamayo: Female, 400 years old.

Status: Alive, Demon Height: 5'0" (152cm) Weight: 88Ibs

Yushiro: Male, 35 years old

Status: Alive, Demon Height: 5'2 (157cm) Weight: 112Ibs

Yahaba: Male, unknown age.

Status: Dead, Demon Height: 5'5" (165cm) Weight: 132Ibs

Susamaru: Female, unknown age.

Status: Dead, Demon Height: 5'2" (157cm) Weight: 110Ibs


Abilities: Blood Demon Arts


Tamayo:

Spell Casting: can use a wide range of abilities to cast spells. Magical Aroma of Daylight: acts like a truth serum, decreasing brain function, making the individual more vulnerable to confess.

Yushiro:

Blindfold: Can create talismans, possessing a mask to hide something. Can be as large as a mansion and house, or a specific individual. This can also be used to help track for efficiency in combat. This blindfold can also act as a mind control.

Yahaba:

Koketsu Arrow: Allows to conjure and manipulate objects using invisible red arrows, blinking the eyes on his palms. Can even be combined with other blood demon arts to manipulate them.

Susamaru:

Hiasobi Temari: Can conjure handballs to either kick or throw them, at such speed and intensity, to completely annihilate any limbs with a single touch. Was used with Yahaba to increase lethality and effectiveness.