Kagaya watched without showing any reaction as the rays of the sun peeked through the cave entrance. Yoriichi, who was close to him, occasionally cast looks full of concern. The demon hadn't moved from that position for days.
And Yoriichi didn't know what to do to get him out of that state. So, lacking a better plan, he had simply stayed by his side, alert. It was very possible that their twin brother would attack them again. He sighed a little, tense.
"I don't know how much longer we can keep this up." He turned his attention back to Kagaya and, for the first time since it happened, decided to try to engage in a conversation with the demon king.
"Staying here for too long is dangerous", he commented, glancing at his companion.
Kagaya continued to gaze fixedly at the cave entrance, and Yoriichi feared he might not respond. But, to his surprise, the demon king finally focused his attention on the human.
"We won't move from here", Kagaya declared, unmoved. Yoriichi furrowed his brow upon hearing that.
"If we stay here, Michikatsu won't take long to find us", he warned.
"I know, let him find us", the demon requested. Yoriichi looked at him in surprise and didn't know what to say to that declaration. "I know my next request is going to be selfish, but, Yoriichi, I would like you to help me kill him".
The swordsman averted his gaze and swallowed. He closed his eyes and tried to sort out his thoughts while feeling Kagaya's eyes on him.
"I... I don't know", the man finally responded. Kagaya nodded, as if he had expected that answer. "I'm sorry", Yoriichi apologized.
Kagaya looked towards the cave entrance, thoughtful. "Don't apologize, he's still your brother".
"But I can't let him get away with it either", Yoriichi acknowledged. "I failed to protect your family. I won't make that mistake again".
"Thank you…", Kagaya murmured, looking at him while also managing a trembling smile of gratitude.
The swordsman suddenly knelt before the demon king. Kagaya, surprised, involuntarily took a step back and looked at him without understanding.
"The time I spent with your family, though brief, was very precious to me", Yoriichi began to say, "You saved me when I was at my worst", he confessed, smiling sadly. "It's something I'll be eternally grateful for. And I want to repay the favor you did for me, so I'll be by your side until the end. I swear".
Kagaya, following an impulse, brought his right hand to his left arm and, with one of his nails, tore the skin until blood began to well up. "If you truly desire that, drink", he requested, extending his arm towards the swordsman. Yoriichi watched as the blood flowed and, after a moment of hesitation, obeyed.
Michikatsu clenched his teeth so hard they grated together. The demon had been forced to take refuge in a house he had found nearby. The wounds his brother had inflicted on him were healing too slowly. Even after consuming the elderly couple who lived there.
He let out a growl and examined his wounds with a furrowed brow. The ones that had healed had left behind a pinkish scar. The demon frowned and scrutinized them closely.
"What kind of monster are you, Yoriichi?" the demon thought. He sat up and stretched his limbs slowly. He had to try again, regardless. Returning empty-handed was something he had to avoid at all costs. "But he's still human, isn't he?"
And humans didn't possess eternal energy. Sooner or later, they grew tired. If he could endure long enough, that was. Something that, given their previous battle, Michikatsu seriously doubted. He furrowed his brow, aware that this was his only option. And if it went wrong, well, he would figure out what he could do.
He glanced at his sheathed sword and let out a sigh. He moved to a corner untouched by light and sat down. Now he had to wait until nightfall. The only relief this brought was that Kagaya was also trapped, and he knew his brother well enough to understand he wouldn't abandon the demon king. He would have to make the most of that somehow.
He tensed at the sound of approaching footsteps and instinctively reached for the hilt of his sword. His three pairs of eyes fixated on the house entrance as he assumed a defensive stance.
"So, this is where you hide like the rat you are", Aoi said, peeking in. The woman had a mocking smile and seemed very relaxed, Michikatsu noticed. The demon gritted his teeth and shot her a displeased glance.
"What do you want? ", the swordsman asked, annoyed.
"What do you think?", she replied with another question. She seemed to find the whole situation quite amusing. "Well then? Where is Kagaya Ubuyashiki's head?"
"I haven't been able to do it yet", Michikatsu reluctantly admitted. Aoi fell silent for a few seconds. Afterward, she reached for her sword and drew it.
"Then, I'm afraid you've squandered the only chance you had for redemption", she pronounced, pointing her katana's edge at him.
"Kibutsuji should be the one to decide that, not you", the demon reminded her while baring his teeth.
"Do you really believe he'll support you?", she asked. Michikatsu didn't respond, and Aoi let out a long sigh. She sheathed her sword and looked at him seriously. "I should behead you here and now, you know? But I'll wait for Kibutsuji to give the order. I'll personally take care of it", she promised, unwavering.
"I don't doubt it".
Michikatsu kept his head lowered, his eyes firmly fixed on the ground. In front of him stood the leader of the Demon Slayer Corps, looking at him with disappointment.
"Aoi told me you failed in your attempt", the girl said, getting straight to the point. The other swordsmen, who remained alert nearby, began to speak at that moment, interrupting her.
"Let's kill him", Ryo interjected, serious, drawing his sword at the same time as Aoi. The two swordsmen exchanged a glance, silently challenging each other.
Hanako approached Michikatsu and stopped in front of him. The leader furrowed her brow. "What happened? It's unlike you to fail a task".
"I was able to kill the rest of the family, but before I could finish off Kagaya…" Michikatsu gritted his teeth forcefully as he remembered and tried to control himself. "Yoriichi intervened, and I was overwhelmed. Had I not fled, I would have been killed", the demon confessed. Ryo, angered by such an act of cowardice, moved towards him, only to be stopped by Aoi. The two swordsmen began to argue energetically at that moment.
Hanako raised her right hand, causing Aoi and Ryo to fall silent. When the silence returned, she continued speaking. "My intention was, I won't deceive you, to finish you off once you had killed Kagaya and his family", the young leader confessed without a hint of remorse in her voice or gaze.
"Sooner or later, I will be able to achieve it", Michikatsu said, lifting his head and holding the girl's gaze. "I have failed once, that's undeniable, but it's also true that I've come very close to succeeding. I won't fail next time".
"Why should we give you another chance?", Aoi asked, displeasure evident in her voice, looking at him with disgust.
"Because, among all of us, I've been the closest to ending it all", Michikatsu argued. "And, as a demon, I have a better chance of defeating Yoriichi".
Aoi and Ryo burst into laughter upon hearing that, ignoring the demon who glared at them. Hanako sighed deeply and rubbed her right forearm.
"You gave your word to kill the demon king", the girl pointed out, adopting a solemn expression. The three swordsmen turned their attention to her, and Hanako tried to maintain her composure. "Therefore, until that happens, you will remain in our service", she decreed, attempting to keep her voice steady.
Michikatsu let out a sigh of relief. He nodded and directed his six eyes to the ground, bowing his head. "Thank you very much, my leader", the demon said. "But there is something else I would like to ask, if it's possible".
"Go ahead, what is it?".
"I don't want any connection with my brother or my family anymore", Michikatsu began to explain. "From this moment on, I renounce both my name and my surname".
"I understand", Hanako said, serious. "And what will you call yourself from now on?"
"Kokushibo".