Author's note: Sorry it took so long for me to update this story

I had some important things to do and couldn't find time

to update the story. Please forgive me.

Anyways let's get into the chapter

Warning(s): Violence and some swearing

Kimetsu No Yaiba is not owned by me

it is owned by its author, Koyoharu Gotouge

Tokito Residence

Arriving at the small cabin. Yasuhiro would quickly slide open the door, Masato following suit would notice just how small the house was. A small fireplace in the middle and a rather small kitchen lined up along the wall, but he didn't have time to observe; he needed to focus on finding that boy's father. Walking over to where Yasuhiro was, Masato would see a sickly woman with pale green eyes similar to her son's, and brown hair, he was rather frail judging by her condition. In front of him though Masato would see another child. Almost identical to...his...her? Brother, but with a white kimono with turquoise mist symbols scattered around it.

"Yasuhiro-san, is everything alright?" The boy would ask as he noticed the man's worried face. Looking at the boy he would give him a smile and tell him everything was alright and he was going to go help his father.

"Masato come with me." Yasuhiro said as he ran over to the door sliding it open and going off, Masato would quickly follow suit. Instantly being hit with the cold rain.

Yasuhiro Residence Early Morning

Moriyama was currently sitting at the chabudai trying to chat with Yuichiro, unfortunately it was quite difficult. The boy wasn't very literate, and barely understood a few words, but he still tried to comfort the boy. Hearing the front door slide open. Moriyama would point his finger downward to try and signal for the boy to stay. Luckily the boy seemed to understand and sat, holding his blanket tight.

Moriyama would round the corner to see the sullen expressions of Yasuhiro and Masato. He hadn't seen either so sad before. Especially his mentor, he's usually giving a smile.

Moriyama, taking out his notepad, would write "Did you find his father?" Yasuhiro was the first to respond.

"Unfortunately by the time we came it was too late..." Yasuhiro said sullenly, he blamed himself. He should've paid more attention to the Tokitos; they were really the only neighbors he had, and instead of being a good neighbor, a good friend. He hadn't checked on them for over a year. He was too busy focusing on his students when he should've been focusing on both. It wouldn't even be too difficult to just had simply checked in on them occasionally or even had Masato or Moriyama check in.

Footsteps could be heard as Yuichiro turned the corner. "Is my father... Okay?" Yuichiro would warily ask, as Yasuhiro approached him and knelt down to be at his level.

"I'm sorry Yuichiro... I was unable to save him in time..." Yasuhiro said not looking Yuichiro in the eyes. He couldn't bring himself to do it.

Masato watched as Yuichiro looked at Yasuhiro in nothing but shock and horror, and at that point he couldn't take it anymore and quickly walked off to go to his room. He was already sick by the sight he saw. The boy's father had fallen down a cliff while trying to collect a herb. There was nothing they could do; he had most likely died from the fall.

Moriyama seeing Masato walk off would get down and hug the boy to try and comfort him.

Masato was currently walking alongside Moriyama, both of them holding axes, going in the direction of the Tokito residence. It had been three days since the loss of the boy's parents. He hoped the boys could have a peaceful life, they had lost their father and later that same day they lost their mother.

After walking past a large brush they'd spot a small house and would see the two siblings currently cutting wood. After walking past the brush both boys seemed to notice them. Muichiro, the boy with the white kimono waved at them first while Yuichiro went back to woodcutting.

"Yuichiro-kun do you need help with that?" Masato said while walking up to the boy, who simply shook his head before pointing over to his brother. "If you two would. It would be great if you helped him with woodcutting." Yuichiro said in his usual harsh tone, it had taken a bit of pushing from Yasuhiro for Yuichiro to at the very least tolerate the both of them.

"Alright, you got it boss. Come on Moriyama." Masato would jog over to Muichiro before trying to talk to the kid. "So, woodcutting. I've never done it before. Could you show me?" Masato said to Muichiro, giving the boy a warm smile. "Of course Okudo-san." Muichiro said in a joyful tone. Luckily it seemed like one of the boys could still be optimistic.

"Okudo-san, I heard from Yasuhiro-san that you had come from the city. What's it like there?" Muichiro curiously said, while he took a left turn leading the two boys deeper into the forest.

"You know Muichiro-kun you don't have to call me Okudo-san, you can just call me Masato, and the city in my opinion is nice..." Masato said before thinking of a better way to explain it to the kid. "Its like a giant town, but even when it's night there are so many lights it looks like day." Muichiro looked at the teen with stars in his eyes. As they continued walking Masato told the kid stories about the times he would have to sneak past bodyguards to enter mansions, and how he would get chased by the police daily. Sure, mansion part was very exaggerated, but at least the kid seemed to be enjoying his stories.

Masato reminded Muichiro that they still have a job to do. Quickly realizing this Muichiro would quickly begin to try and cut down a tree, unfortunately for the boy he didn't have the necessary strength to make sizeable cuts, looking over Muichiro saw Masato and Moriyama cutting down trees with at most three hits from their axes. Muichiro could only stare in awe at the power both teens had.

"Moriyama, Masato..." Muichiro began waiting to get their attention. Once it was given he continued "How are you two... Able to cut down trees that fast?!" Muichiro exclaimed while confusion was on his face.

Both teens looked at each other before Masato explained to Muichiro the training they had done and breathing techniques. Muichiro listened while smiling, things like controlling elements sounded like something straight out of a fairy tale, but from what these two said was fact.

With the sun starting to set the trio went back to the Tokito residence leaving the wood they collected at the side shed and entering, finding Yuichiro making dinner.

"Sorry we're late." Masato said while entering the house, with Moriyama and Muichiro following suit in that order.

"Tch. Took you all long enough, Muichiro can you go wash the rice."

"Mhm." Muichiro turned and went to wash the rice.

"Well it's getting dark, we'll be leaving, we won't be coming back for a little while. We have... An important thing to do, but if you need help or anything Yasuhiro-sensei will still be at the house." Masato said, leaving with Moriyama in tow

Yasuhiro Residence

After walking through the forest again and seeing the house they've stayed in for a year now. Well in Moriyama's case a year and a half. Walking up to the door Masato would slide it open, walking down the hallway and taking a right he would find his instructor drinking tea on a chabudai.

"How are the twins?" Yasuhiro asked watching Moriyama and Masato take a seat before explaining.

"They both seem to be fine, and I think Yuichiro has warmed up to us a bit more, but he's still harsh as usual, but good news is Muichiro is as optimistic as ever."

Smiling, Yasuhiro would begin again, focusing on a different topic. "It's been three days now... I can understand if you want to wait longer, but if not, your challenge begins as soon as night falls." Yasuhiro stated while focusing on the two.

Moriyama quickly wrote down something before showing his mentor "I'm fine with going now the faster I become a slayer the faster I can protect those kids."

Masato had known that Moriyama was not trying to become a slayer for the same reason as him, rather Moriyama was quite secluded about his personal life, Masato just assumed it was because of something like his family was attacked by demons, but he never really prodded. Maybe this challenge could be the perfect time to ask.

Yasuhiro would nod, before getting up and rounding the corner as they heard a door slide open, upon returning Yasuhiro would be holding two katanas, and would hand one to Masato and Moriyama before speaking. "I assume you know how to kill a demon. Those swords are nichirin swords, you cannot return once you accept the challenge. You can only return by quitting or finishing your task."

"Yes, sir." Masato said while holding onto his blade.

Masato was currently putting on his purple haori checking to make sure his sword was secure, he opened the door and could see Moriyama with a yellow haori on that reached down to his knees.

"Alright. Lets head out." Masato said as Moriyama nodded, both teens quickly left the home running through the forest before seeing the Tokito residence. They both silently walked up to the house peering through the window. Seeing both siblings asleep. Upon seeing them sleeping safe and sound they would continue onto there first destination.

Moving through the brush we had finally found the village that we were planning to ask about potential demons. Moriyama was from what I could tell, a little ways behind me still moving through the forest. I turned to see him just leave the forest and catch up to me. "I'll check to see if there are any signs of demon activity, you go find a map of the nearby region, or at least directions to the next village." After Moriyama nodded in affirmation, We continued along quickly entering the main street of the village. "So many people out... That already removes a possibility of a demonic presence..." I thought noticing how it was abnormally active, usually most villages become almost silent as it approached night. Even if there wasn't demons around it was just abnormal to see.

I continued walking around before just deciding to ask someone outright. Walking over to one of the houses with their lights on, I quickly knocked on the door, seeing it open and reveal a man in his thirties, around the same height as him. He looked rather average, the only thing that stood out was the calluses on his hand from labor.

"Hello, are you lost young man?" The man said, sounding worried.

"Hello, sir, my name is Okudo Masato, and I work for a mercenary organization. We work with the police to help figure out the mysterious disappearances that occur in the countryside." As I spoke I copied the tone most police officers take when gathering information.

"You do? But you're as young as my son..."

"Trust me sir, what I say is the truth. Now I would like to know if there are any strange or mysterious disappearances that have occurred in this village or a nearby one." Judging from the man's expression he wasn't buying it, moving my haori out of the way, I would see his eyes glance down to my sword before he began speaking

"Well... Okudo-san... If what you say is true, we haven't had many disappearances, however, some wanderers that had traveled through Minami, told about how those who entered the forest at night were never seen again."

"Do you know anyone from Minami in this village?" I said keeping the professional act and paid attention to his eyes and body language all of which were telling me he was speaking the truth.

"Unfortunately no... But Minami village isn't too far from here."

"Alright, thank you for your time." Leaving "Minami... I guess that's where I'm heading next. Hopefully it's not a member of the kizuki. From the way he described it, it had to be a decently strong demon to ensure no one got free. Whatever, so long as we can slay the demon and finish this test as fast as possible I'll be fine." After successfully retracing my steps I would see Moriyama trying to converse with someone.

"Moriyama! Let's get going, I know the most likely place." Moriyama turned towards me and bowed to the man he was getting information from and walked up to me.

"Minami is our next village. Apparently there have been disappearances in the forest." Moriyama nodded as he gave me a paper with directions to the nearest city, for us to get a map from. Thanking him we set off, asking other villagers for directions to Minami.

Minami

Moving through the brush, Masato and Moriyama had finally arrived at Minami, dawn had recently arrived, and they were looking for an inn, but that was easier said than done. Most likely because of the disappearances many houses were abandoned, roads had weeds growing through them. It looked like a village straight out of a horror story. Masato walking through the village would spot a girl around a year or two older than them wearing torn up, dirty clothing, walking up to her.

"What do you know about the disappearances?" Masato said blankly as he waited for the girl to respond.

"Why do you two want to know?" She said, looking at both teens warily. Clearly having seen their swords.

"We work for a mercenary group that deals with this sort of thing."

"...Well the disappearances always happen at night. In the forest. There's a family that lives deep in the woods... Maybe they know?" The girl responded with worry still in her voice as she prepared to sprint if the two of them did anything to her.

"Alright thank you for your time." Masato said before turning and gesturing for Moriyama to follow suit. The girl watched as they continued down the road, taking a right and rounding the corner.

"Why doesn't that family get attacked? Do they have a deal with the demon? Are they related to the demon?" Moriyama's mind was racing with possibilities of why exactly the family was immune to the attacks. Following behind Masato he saw an inn in the distance, and judging by the direction his partner was heading he saw it too. "Thank the gods... I was worried we would have to sleep on the ground."

Walking into the inn, I looked around the foyer. The small almost suffocating room, the abundance of cobwebs and even seeing a few spiders capturing their prey. Turning back I would see Masato finish renting out a room for the day, as he walked upstairs, I would quickly follow him seeing how creepy the lifeless receptionist was. It looked like she had almost no soul. Deciding to move that to the back of his mind he would look at the room they had rented. Dirt and dust was in abundance, and judging by the webs they had some roommates. Seeing Masato go to the closet and take out a futon, I would follow suit grabbing the futon next to it before laying it flat, and would get it.

"Be prepared. Tonight we're gonna kill this demon and leave." Masato said as he closed the curtains and got into his futon. "No use in looking at the ceiling." I thought as I closed my eyes and began to drift to sleep.

"HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND!" Yelled a man as he winded his hand back and slapped a younger boy that from appearance looked to be his son, the boy was no older than fourteen, at the most, he and his father both had dark maroon hair that faded to a light red. The boy didn't respond back instead he got up and bowed low. Grabbing his notepad and pen before walking down a nearby hallway, he headed into his room. Closing the door before sitting at a nearby desk looking out the window seeing the snow fall as the moonlight shone across the field, making it appear to glow... It was mesmerizing. Getting out of his seat he would pack a small pack, looking out he would see nobody in the foyer. Silently moving through the hallway the boy would put on his sandals, he would slowly open the door, and would run out before looking back, and continuing feeling the cold air bite his skin.

"Moriyama...Moriyama!" Masato said, shaking his partner awake, noting how he seemed to be having a cold sweat. Seeing Moriyama's eyes shoot open he would let go of his shoulder before opening the door and saying. "Get dressed, we're going to that family's residence."

Moriyama would nod as he watched Masato leave the room. Quickly folding his futon back into the closet and getting dressed he would double check to make sure they hadn't left anything there. After feeling content after searching every drawer, and crevasse he would walk out seeing Masato waiting for him right outside the door, his arms crossed as he leaned against the wall.

"Alright let's head out." Masato said as he walked down the hallway. Reaching the receptionist desk and turning in the key, they both would enter back onto the main road. The moonlight barely giving any visibility. Masato on the other hand could see much clearer than Moriyama, his eyes had adjusted and he could tell there was still no one on the streets. Quickly moving through the street they would begin to enter the forest.

Rushing through the brush Masato was trying to discern the location of the house, but something caught his eye, Moriyama had also seen it and was instantly alert there a few hundred paces away was a lit torch. Both would quickly crouch low and would begin to slowly creep over. Hearing a clearly masculine voice, and an inhuman voice. After reaching only a few dozen feet away from their target, they would try to peek out and see what's occurring, both partners eyes widened to the size of dinner plates, Moriyama had to hold back bile as he registered what he was looking at. On a stone slab was a man and woman, and judging by their appearance they weren't related. Around them were two boys, maybe 10-12, and one little girl no older than 6, but what caused him to feel disgusted was that the children were watching as the demon ate their parents.

Masato couldn't keep looking, quickly getting up he would rush forwards as he breathed feeling the wind channel around his blade as he jumped in the air and spun his blade making circular cuts Wind Breathing Fifth Form: Cold Mountain Wind.

The demon was able to react in time using it's arms to cover its neck as many cuts began to ooze with blood. Moriyama, deciding not to wait any longer, rushed forward spinning his blade as he did Wind Breathing First Form: Dust Whirlwind Cutter. Cutting through the demon's knees, causing it to fall.

"Akihiro-sama!" One of the boys yelled as he ran towards the demon and protected it. The demon took advantage of this activating it's blood demon art as a giant hammer slammed down next to it. Using the hammer as a crutch the demon would quickly move backwards. The child was still on his neck using him as a meat shield as it reconnected its legs.

Looking towards Masato, Moriyama would wait for his call, but would be surprised as Masato rushed directly for the neck, his blade about to cut through the child. The demon surprised would manipulate its hammer, swatting Masato away as Moriyama watched horrified that Masato would try and hurt a child.

Masato took a deep breath as he rushed forward again, sliding under a hammer swing as he slashed upward Wind Breathing Sixth Form: Black Wind Mountain Mist. The demon would almost be cut in half as the sharp gale winds stopped around the demon's solar plexus. The demon would maneuver it's hammer slamming it directly downward.

Wind Breathing Second Form: Claws-Purifying Wind. Moriyama arrived just in time as a claw-like gale slash cut through the demon's arms pushing the hammer back as the gale force winds blew the kid off the demon.

With the kid out of the way Moriyama would breathe deeply rushing at blinding speeds as he would rotate his body horizontally, cutting through the neck of the demon. Wind Breathing Sixth Form Modified: Lateral Black Wind Mountain Mist.

Moriyama would land behind the demon as the head of the creature followed suit sitting a few paces to his right as he sheathed his sword.

"AKIHIRO-SAMA!" Screamed the boy who was hanging onto the demon, his eyes filling with tears as he began to cry. His siblings followed suit. Moriyama looked at them with utter disgust, he couldn't believe these people were crying for a demon.

"Why are you crying for the demon..?" Masato said standing up, as the boy standing by the altar spoke up.

"HE WAS OUR PROPHET! OUR LEADER!" The kid said it like he had memorized the phrase. It made Moriyama and Masato sick to their core, Masato tried leaving before feeling a hand on his shoulder. Turning, he would see Moriyama make a serious expression, his notepad and pen in his other hand as he shoved it into his face.

"What is wrong with you! There was a child you almost cut through!" Masato quickly shoved Moriyama off him before stating

"Our job is to kill demons, and to protect civilians, but if a civilian is siding with the enemy then they should be treated like an enemy." Masato said coldly as he walked away, his purple haori having dirt and grime on it from the tumble.

"Why did I decide to come along..." Moriyama thought as he looked on seeing the children crying, the little girl staring at the location of the faded demon with nothing in her eyes, they looked dead. The children's parents dead on the altar as their blood dripped down, beginning to stain the dirt a deep brownish-red. He turned, seeing Masato walking off through the brush. "Why am I always the one that has to comfort people..."

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