"Pick the sword, Tanjiro Kamado..."
"Yes, yes... Come on..."
The aqua-haired goddess instructed me to pick up the sword as the light emanating from it stopped, and the crimson-haired goddess began to clap her hands until finally giving me a thumbs up and creating a little smile on her face. To which I responded -
"Okay..."
I carefully extended my hand to the sword as I spoke, and as soon as I touched it, I felt strength rising inside me. As I carefully took hold of the sword, I realized that I was unable to feel the thread, which I noticed the first when the sword came out of that weird circle, linking the sword to my chest or, to specify, directly at my heart. Just what is going on -
Well, let's not waste any more time. Yes, I should complete the task of picking the sword so that I will get free from here because this is the only reason why I am here.
.
They didn't answer all my questions, but they did tell me a few things one of them is that they 'summoned' me here only because they wanted to tell me about my 'special power' as well as to provide me with this sword. I was shocked when I heard all this, but well, whatever. Maybe I will gain some power from this sword that would help me turn my Nezuko back into a human because kissing her is out of the box for me.
I would more willingly take care of her in her current form than kiss her and change her to a human...
Yes, I will never...
.
'It is not that easy, huh?'
I thought this inside my head when I tried to pick the sword up from the ground. I was trying my best to get a hold of it, but every time I tried, there - some force was helping the sword to get remained and seemed to be attached to the ground. Is this the work of one of the goddesses?
But when I raised my gaze to see what they were doing, I noticed that they both were somewhat looking worried about something... Hmm? What is this? Why are they reacting like this? Hmm?
.
"Huff-huff"
After some seconds passed, my breathing again became abnormal, so my grip loosened on the sword, and I fell on my back.
'This seems impossible. No more. I need some rest. -'
"TANJIRO!"
"Huff-huff Yes...?"
"Relax your breathing... Try to focus only on the sword and then you just have to hold the sword for some mere seconds like 2 or 3 seconds... To -"
'I have to relax my breathing, huh.'
When I heard the words of the crimson-haired goddess, I started to breathe slowly making sure to make myself relax and calm but it took about 30 seconds or maybe more.
But I did feel more relaxed than before, and I became surprised at one fact that - Now, I can see the thread, that connects the sword with my heart, more clearer than before.
Okay... Right now, my breathing and mental state are both calm. Now, I should need to focus, right?
..
'I CAN DO THIS. I CAN DO THIS. FOR NEZUKO. FOR MY SISTER. YES, I CAN DO THIS. JUST FOR 3 SECONDS... TANJIRO, CLEAR YOUR MIND...'
.
..
...
...
FEW HOURS LATER...
"GOOD JOB, TANJIRO..."
"YES, GOOD, VERY GOOD..."
"..."
I heard the voices of both goddesses while I was lying down on my back, touching the ground, and breathing heavily. I don't know how much time has passed or how my Nezuko is doing right now, but since the aqua-haired goddess assured me by saying that -
"Relax, there is a significant difference between the time in the world you live in and that of this vacuum. Saying anything, even if it's nothing, would be insignificant. Thus, strictly concentrate on what you are doing."
So, I just continue to do whatever they wanted me to do, since they are the so-called owner of this place.
'But, I am glad I succeeded in this.'
"Um, since I have completed this task. Now, can you please send -"
"Okay... But get a tight hold on that sword. This sword will help you in defeating powerful demons such as Demon King and its subordinates."
"Y-yes... I-I will do my best."
"Fufu~"
The crimson-haired goddess is acting very weird towards me. Well, I mean I don't know whether I should call her weird or not as I didn't watch any type of woman like her until now. This is the first time, after my mother, got a head pat or getting a pinch on my cheek multiple times until now.
And currently, she is standing behind me while I am on the ground, she has a smile on her face and she is chuckling. Her one hand is in front of her mouth trying to hide his smile and her eyes are glaring directly at me. I-it is somewhat scary to me.
Then suddenly, I felt a strong pain in my head and I passed out...
...
[BACK IN THE ORIGINAL WORLD]
"Aarrgh"
My head is still hurting and it seems like I am back in my world, as I can see the sky, the trees, the snow, and various things which proves that I am back in my original world. But still, the pain in my head is making me grunt myself as I grunted while holding my head tightly. Is it because of the goddesses –
No, wait, I didn't feel any pain when I was transported there but coming back here from there makes my head hurt more. Why is that so?
I can think of only one reason for Nezuko's kick and punch.
.
Ah, my head. It hurts too much. But Nezuko... Right, Nezuko. Where are you?
I immediately stood up on my feet to find out another problem I don't have that sword with me, which I was holding tightly when I was being transported here. N-no way, don't tell me, I lost it. But I am sure I have a good hold of it. So, where is it, now? Did someone steal from me while I was lying on the ground here? Because I am not sure how much time has passed since I came here -
'N-no, this isn't the time to think about that sword, Tanjiro. First, I should find my sister, Nezuko. Yes. After finding Nezuko, then I can only go to search for that sword.'
As I decided to search for Nezuko first, I began to run here and there.
I continue the search, I even went to the place where I was being kicked and punched in my face and my stomach but I didn't find a single clue on where she is.
"Where are you, Nezuko?"
I have to yell out to call her. I don't know whether she can hear me or not, I mean I don't even know whether she is alive or not. And I also don't have any more strength left in me as I am still exhausted because of the goddesses in that dimension –
"Hmm!?"
Suddenly, I sensed a strong smell of blood coming straight towards me. Is it of Nezuko but – Then I sensed another smell which is not of blood but of a sweet aroma, which I smelled multiple times whenever I have gone to sell in the village. Especially from the women who buy from me. And her pace is very fast, to the point that she might come here before Nezuko but the first one to come in –
"N-nezuko, are -"
As I was also running in her direction, from the moment I sensed that someone is running toward me. I called out to her and was going to ask some questions but as soon as she came near me she immediately hugged me.
And it was so tight that I again thought that I might die but I can't, since I have the power to change the world where demons and humans live –
"*sob* *sob*"
I heard her crying sounds as she continue to hug me. And I felt that my chest is getting wet because of that but I didn't do anything, I started patting her head.
When she felt that my hand is on top of her head, patting her, she raised her face and started to stare directly into my eyes. Then I noticed how much Nezuko's physical appearance changed –
Her hair is open, and has dirt all over her head, which makes her look very different than her usual self; her forehead has veins popped on it, but not that much when I saw her before near the house, but the blood is dripping more than before; her eyes are also not looking normal, but I can see that she has some light in them, which makes her behave like this; and also, since she has been crying because of this, she has watery eyes; her face has many bruises which just proves that she is been fighting with someone.
But with whom? I don't think of any person who comes up here, where we live, so who is it? Since I was being told that there are demons also, I suddenly thought that maybe another demon...
N-no, that can't be... If there is any other demon, then what will I do? I don't even have another weapon that might help me to beat him/her. But maybe there is a human who came up all here, but is he/she that powerful that he/she could fight with a demon...? Hmm?
As I thought of these things, I am mostly sure of my former assumption as I didn't meet with any other person who came up here and moreover - Well, maybe I should ask Nezuko about this? But will she tell me?
"Nezuko? Who did this -?!"
When I opened my mouth, I tried to ask her why she was like this but suddenly she got hold of my cloak's collar. What is she trying to do? I didn't do anything, as I thought that maybe there is some dirt on my collar which she was trying to get rid of but -
That was not the case. And the real reason why she did this is the thing I didn't even give a thought about it, or maybe the most surprising thing I have ever heard for maybe many years ahead of me.
..
"Grrr... Grrr"
(Oni-chan! WHO!?)
She grunted like an animal when she quit sniffing my whole body, well not whole body but she sniff my - whole cloak, hair, my hands, my chest, and even my neck. I don't know what's gotten into her, by the only reason I can think right now is because of her change because she changed into a demon now.
One of the goddesses told me about some characteristics of demons, one of which is that demon has a good sense of smell. And it looks like that was true. And one more characteristic is that they can't talk like normal people, so yeah, I can't hear Nezuko's voice until and unless I bring her back to normal.
"It's okay, Nezuko. I will help my Nezuko to bring her back to human being."
As I said this, I again started to pat her head, which did help her calm down a bit as she stop holding and hurting one of my hands, which she has been holding onto from the moment she started sniffing me. It is hurting too much.
"grr... Grr... Grr..."
(O-oni-chan, y-you i-idiot.)
Her eyes also came back to her not-to-original pink color, as her normal color of eyes was a bit of red color but now since she is a demon now, it's pink. I think it's normal for all kinds of demons. As the Goddess hadn't mentioned this to me.
..
About a whole minute passed, and I continued to pat her head while sitting on the ground and Nezuko on top of me in my lap, I literally forgot about the fact that there was another person also who was chasing Nezuko at high speed.
I was just happy at the fact that Nezuko is behaving like this, not like any demon who wanted to kill me or do something bad to me, which I guess normally demons do. This behavior of hers did surprise me not a little, but very much to the point that I wanted to ask about this whole thing from the two goddesses as I am sure that they know about these things better than anyone else. But how can I -
As I was lost in my thought, I suddenly heard someone's stuttering voice coming from not too far away from us -
"W-what!? A boy and a girl of the same age are in love this much to the point that they are hugging each other even though the girl has become a demon... I can't believe it. No, i-it can't be possible."
When I heard this voice, I quickly turned my face in that direction and saw that someone is looking at both of us while smiling just like what my younger sister Hanako made whenever our mother made something delicious for us. There is some tint on her face also.
The appearance of the woman standing in front of me is -
She has long, light pink hair that fades into a lime green color at the halfway point, which she wears in three thick braids. She is wearing a pink tinted uniform along with a white haori; a pair of navy blue-something, I don't know what, in her legs. She looks mature but the face she is making right now makes me think otherwise.
But I have a fear in my mind when I see her: She might be one of the powerful beings who chases the demon and annihilates them. The goddess did mention to me about them that there is a group of those who if work together might defeat Demon King but... She just said this and I wanted to know more about this topic but she said that I will get to know about them very soon.
.
Don't tell me, now is the time for that.
.
As I was looking down as I started to think, I didn't notice but currently, the woman is standing beside me. She didn't even call out to me as she just stood there, continuing to observe me and Nezuko. On the other hand, Nezuko also just continue to stare at her while hugging me very tightly.
Just what is going on here?
.
I stayed silent for a few minutes until I felt that it was enough and this silence is making the atmosphere also somewhat terrifying, mainly because of the air they both are radiating.
"Um, who are you?"
"Hmm? Oh, sorry. Let me introduce myself... I am Mitsuri Kanroji, one of the demon slayers as well as one of the nine hashiras of the demon slayer corps. What about you?"
"Um, My name is Tanjiro Kamado and she is my sister Nezuko -"
"What? You are brother and sister, how cute. What a beautiful display of sibling love... No, wait."
"Yes?"
"You know, right? That your sister is a demon now."
"Y-yes. But I am sure that Nezuko will never harm anyone, or if she did or some consequences made her do then I will be there to stop her. "
When I said this, I again felt that Nezuko started to hug me more tightly, I don't know the reason why though but this time I don't feel any pain so, I guess it's alright.
"Aww~ How cute. You sure are a good brother, Tanjiro-kun."
"Thank you, Kanroji-san."
"But, you know what you can't do that. She is a demon, now. And, there is not a -"
"Sorry, Kanroji-san. But I wanted to help my sister, I will turn my Nezuko back to her normal self."
As I apologized, I slowly stood up from the ground and Nezuko also stood up along with me, when she stood she started groaning a bit while looking at Kanroji-san. But she did slow down as I holds one of her hands tight enough to assure her that she don't need to worry as I am there with her. And it seems that she understood as when I turned my face towards her, I felt that she was smiling.
"Hmm... How brave! Well -"
"Haah..."
Suddenly I heard someone sighing and when I turned around to see who it is, I found a man standing just beside one of the trees, he is holding a sword which is giving me somewhat of a feeling of the sword that I see in that dimension. But the aura is not that powerful.
But that's not important, the important thing is that I sense some danger from him which is not on me but on the girl standing beside me, who also seems to notice it as she started groaning and she also began to get free from my grip but.. Sorry, Nezuko. I will not, because I still don't know how to deal with you -
Then suddenly he came running and at last, jumped to attack Nezuko, but somehow I evaded that attack. On the other hand, the other demon slayer, or should I say hashira, Mitsuri Kanroji, was looking surprised but she is not doing anything, she just stood there. Well, I can't blame anyone it's the first we met, so it's natural that she doesn't believe in me.
"Why are you protecting it?"
'It?'
Who is he calling, 'it', huh? Is he calling Nezuko 'it'?
"She is my sister."
"You call that thing, your sister."
"..."
As he said this, I noticed that he again started to run towards me, I tried to hold Nezuko as tight as I can, but in just a second, I felt my hands-free of Nezuko. Yes, I again lost hold of my sister.
When I turned to see where she is, I saw that he is grabbing Nezuko's hands, she is trying to set free herself but she can't seem to. She is groaning also, very loudly. This is the first time I saw her in this state. I have to do something -
"Hey, don't move. My job is to slay every demon I found. So, I have to kill your sister also."
"Wait, Nezuko hasn't hurt anyone. I don't know what has happened to her, to change her into something like this, to a demon. But I am sure she would never eat a human."
"You are joking, if I hadn't gotten here then someone -"
"No, she knows that I am her big brother. And I won't let anyone hurt her, I will turn her back into a human."
"Did Mitsuri not tell you that she can't be healed? Once you become a demon, you never turn back being a human."
"N-no, I will find a way to cure her back whatever it takes, so please let her go."
.
"P-please, don't kill my sister."
"DON'T CRAWL LIKE THAT AGAIN, IT GIVES THE ENEMY THE CHANCE TO KILL YOU. WHY DIDN'T YOU SWING THAT HATCHET? WHY DID YOU TURN YOUR BACK TO ME? THOSE MISTAKES WILL LET YOU BE CAPTURED BY ME... You will not do anything, huh? Then..."
"Don't you dare hurt her..."
I yelled as I started running towards them while throwing stones at him but he kept on dodging them well. And just as I get a little close to him, he shouted -
"YOU FOOL"
And then he knocked me out with his sword and I again passed out. I did hear my Nezuko groan one last time, and it seemed that she kicked him but then I -
Again felt that I am in another dimension but this time, I can't feel my body at all. I don't know what is going on until I heard a familiar voice -
"We have to leave you behind Tanjiro, I am so sorry... Take care of Nezuko ."
Mother.
Then I forced myself to wake up and I did, and when I opened my eyes the first thing I saw is that of Nezuko lying beside me.
No, it can't be.
"You awake?"
I didn't waste any time and just checked whether she is alive or not, and I find out that she is... Alive. I took a sigh of relief. And then I put her head onto my lap and started to listen to him because I can't do anything else there. And I think he will not do any more harm to us as he has already put his sword back into its sheath.
"Go see an old man named Sakonji Urokodaki who lives at the foot of Mt. Sagiri."
"..."
I nodded my head.
"Tell him that Giyu Tomioka sent you."
"Um, why?"
"I am giving you both a chance and if you do well then I will not do anything to you guys, but if I find out that your sister has killed someone then I will come and kill her."
"Thank you so much. I am sure, I will not disappoint you by putting trust in me."
"..."
He said nothing as he left this place at a pace that I can't see him even for a moment.
