Chapter 39: The attack on the Ubuyashiki Estate

Notes: Part 1 of the Infinity Castle Arc. This is it, guys. We're on the final stretch. Next chapter will be longer to upload, because it needs to be reworked. Badly.

They were out on a walk when the summons came.

Shinobu had filled her scabbard's special containers with the poison Tamayo and her had created, Tanjirou watching the process with fascination.

"EMERGENCY SUMMONS! EMERGENCY SUMMONS!" Tennouji and Niji shouted, "Attack on the Ubuyashiki Estate! Attack on the Ubuyashiki Estate!"

Tanjirou and Shinobu dashed towards Kagaya-san's house at full speed, feeling dread.

'Oyakata-sama…!' he thought, fearfully, 'Come on, make it…! Gotta get there in time!'

They could see the mansion just up ahead.

And then an explosion rocked the ground, the house going up in flames, making him and Shinobu freeze and gasp in shock.

'An explosion…! And this smell…! The stench of burning blood and flesh!' Tanjirou froze, his hand coming up to cover his mouth and nose, a look of disbelief and despair on his face, 'No! Kagaya-san! Amane-san!'

"We have to hurry." he said, walking up to Shinobu, "We have to make sure their sacrifice wasn't in vain." he said, tears running doing his cheeks, "Let's go, Shinobu. Turn your pain into power and set your heart ablaze."

He took off, Shinobu following him.

'That scent…! The same as the one in Asakusa! It's Muzan! And…Tamayo-san with someone else.' he thought as he neared the burning estate, 'And I think I can pick up Yushirou's scent somewhere nearby.'

Suddenly a voice echoes.

"Himejima-san! Do it now, please!"

'Tamayo-san!' Tanjirou thought.

"WAS IT YOU BIIIIITCH?! WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU DO TO OYAKATA-SAMAAA?!" Sanemi-san screamed.

"OYAKATA-SAMA!" Tanjirou could hear Kanroji-san's voice.

"OYAKATA-SAMA!" Obanai-san's voice.

"IT'S MUZAN! KIBUTSUJI MUZAN! THIS GUY WON'T DIE EVEN IF YOU CUT HIS HEAD OFF!" Himejima-san called out.

Tanjirou came out of the forest, Muzan turning to look at him as if he knew.

"MUZAN!" he screamed.

Seven people drew in a deep breath, ready to strike down the one responsible for all the pain caused to so many people.

'Sun Breathing; Seventh Form: Sunflower Lance…'

Suddenly, Muzan smirked and the ground beneath the Pillars' feet opened up.

"Did you seriously thought you could corner me? You're all going to hell now!" he called out, as they all fell, "You pathetic demon hunter pests. I am slaughtering you all tonight!"

"You're the one going to hell, Muzan! You're not getting away! I'm taking you down no matter what!" Tanjirou called out as he fell.

"Come and get me, then…if you can! Kamado Tanjirou!" Muzan looked at him.

'What is this place? Up and down and left and right are all mixed up. Was it built with Muzan's blood demon art? I'm not sure what's going on, but Muzan seemed to be held down in that cell-thing. The scent was familiar and it was laced with Tamayo-san's scent. How long can it hold him? I've got to get to Muzan and take him out! Right now!' Tanjirou thought, as he fell, 'If I hit the bottom, I'll die! I'll use a technique to change my trajectory! Grab onto the building somewhere! I'm out of position! The fall's preventing my from planting myself!' he thought, desperately.

He was falling in an awkward angle, shoulder-first.

"Tanjirou!"

Tanjirou's eyes met Shinobu's. He draws a quick breath.

'Sun Breathing; Fifth Form: Improved – Lateral Fire Chariot.'

Tanjirou spins in the air to turn towards Shinobu. He draws another breath.

'Sun Breathing; Combined Seventh Form: True Sunflower Lance.'

He knows it won't be strong, he is using it mid-air while falling, but he hopes the momentum will be enough for a forward motion, enough to let him grab on to the railing – or even better land on a balcony.

Shinobu's eyes grow wide upon realisation and she readies herself to jump after him.

Tanjirou grabs on to a railing and Shinobu lands on it, beside his hand. She looks down on him and smiles.

"How are you hanging on, Tanjirou-kun?"

Tanjirou stared up at her, mouth open in semi-shock, before he laughed.

"I wouldn't mind a hand up." he smiled at her, giving her his free hand.

Shinobu got off the railing and helped him up.

"That's much better." he sighed in relief. Then, he looked up, alert, "Duck!" he called, reaching for his sword.

'Sun Breathing; First Form: Waltz.'

A demon had crept up on them.

Suddenly a door burst open and a bunch of demons charged them.

'Sun Breathing; Eleventh Form: Solar Halo Dragon Dance!'

He charged, weaving in circles among the demons, slashing at them, while Shinobu used Dance of the Centipede: Hundred-Legged Zigzag to strike those he missed the necks of.

"Do you think Muzan pulled all his demons in here, in preparation of the attack to Oyakata-sama?" Tanjirou asked once the demons were defeated, "I can smell a lot of demons around us."

"It is a possibility." Shinobu said as the two of them continued down the corridor.

"On a happier note, we work well as a team." Tanjirou smiled at her.

Shinobu smiled, tilting her head to the side.

"Did you doubt it?"

Tanjirou chuckled.

"Never. I just like saying we work well together."

They followed the corridor.

Suddenly, Tanjirou froze.

"Tanjirou?"

"I smell a lot of blood." he said with dread.

The corridor opened to an indoors pond with lotus flowers.

"That smell…!" the scent of blood was so strong, that Shinobu could smell it too.

Tanjirou took the lead.

"I'll go first." he said quietly.

Shinobu nodded, letting him take the lead.

Tanjirou opened the door carefully.

There sitting on a bridge atop a pond, among dead young women, was a man in ceremonial clothing of sorts and blonde hair, with his back on them.

"Hm?" the demon noticed them, "Ah…you came?" he said with a serene smile, turning his head to look at them, "Oh! A girl! You look young and tasty! Later, I'll have to thank Nakime." he said, with that smile on his lips.