In a blaze of pink and red flames, Tanjiro watched, with gritted teeth and angry eyes, as Rui's head fly high into the air. The moment his head bounced against the ground Tanjiro's body followed.

He fell face first into the dirt and immediately choked on his own breath. A horrible wheezing emitted from his throat with every inhale and exhale he produced, his chest aching and feeling as it was on fire, and he couldn't move at all. His limbs were completely numb, his head was spinning, and the only thing he could focus on was Nezuko's body falling out of the sky. The threads that have held her high in the air had disintegrated into nothing and her body thumped against the ground hard.

"Nezuko! Nezuko!" He wheezed out trying to reach for her.

He was in complete agony but he wanted to see if she was all right! Nezuko wasn't moving at all; she was just laying there with her eyes closed. He had to believe she was still alive!

Because he… he won. He won against the member of the Twelve Kizuki, Lower Rank Five.

His father saved him. Their family's kagura, that had been passed down for generations, somehow manifested itself into a technique. It helped him defeat that demon.

Tanjiro slowly sat up on his knees but even doing so made his vision extremely blurry. Just looking at Nezuko's unmoving body on the ground took total concentration and focus. He didn't know why it was happening. His entire body was throbbing with pain, the ringing in his ears made him wince and clutch at his head, and the weight in his chest was so heavy he couldn't breathe properly. Was it because he was too reckless with his breathing? Switching from Water Breathing to Hinokami without thinking of the consequences?

Through gritted teeth, and mustering up whatever strength he had left, he bit back whimpers of pain as he slowly crawled towards Nezuko. He needed to get his second wind! To heal up fast and press on! The fight wasn't over, not yet. He still needed to go save Kagami and Inosuke! Right away!

He was already halfway to Nezuko's body when a terrified gasp ran through him.

The scent of blood in the air suddenly got stronger. This time, there was no scent of ash from a decapitated and dying demon. Usually, there always was! From when he decapitated the Hand Demon, the Swamp Demon, and even when Kagami decapitated the Tsuzumi Demon back at the mansion. They all had the same ashy smell. So, why… why isn't there a whiff of it?

Small and slow footsteps approached him from behind.

Unsurmountable fear dripped into his stomach. The feeling of dread and despair nearly overtook his senses. With the absence of the ashy smell, there was only one plausible reason explanation as to why. The demon... was alive. But h-how could he survive from decapitation? Was that the power of the Twelve Kizuki? But he thought Nichirin Swords killed all types of demons! Even though his was reduced to the likes of a small dagger, it should've killed him!

"You thought you'd defeated me?" He heard the demon scoff. He felt his heart racing inside his chest knowing the demon was standing right behind him. "How sad for you. Did your pathetic delusion bring you joy? I cut my head off myself using my own threads… before you were able to do the job yourself."

Tanjiro didn't bother to turn around and face him. He was dead set on crawling straight for Nezuko.

"Enough struggling. I'll kill both you and your sister," The demon growled softly. "I haven't been this enraged in a long time."

He crawled faster and faster! His breathing was shallow, wheezy, and erratic. He needed to get it under control! He needed to get up on his feet! There wasn't much time before the demon would replace his head back on his body!

The demon's voice behind him was darker and lower. He snarled softly, "I wonder why you weren't burned to cinders earlier in that explosion. Me and my threads were the only things that were set ablaze. I don't know if it's your sister's power, but thanks for getting me enraged. Now I can carve you up without regret."

He held up his crimson red arms and the bloody threads that fell from his fingertips. His face held so much fury and he kept walking closer menacingly to Tanjiro!

Tanjiro's arm shook violently at the thought of being sliced into tiny meaty bits but he shouldn't panic. As long as he continued to breathe correctly, it wouldn't matter how exhausted he was! It was just like how his father taught him. A way to breathe so he can move as much as he wanted without worrying about over exhausting himself.

"Blood Demon Art… Murderous Eye Basket!"

Fear almost made him cave in and lose his breathing concentration. Crimson red threads made a circular motion around him and began to move upwards in a spherical shape. It was so fast he couldn't catch hold the sight of one single thread. He can't panic or let it disrupt his breathing. He needed to stay calm! If only he could raise his arm and slice the threaded cage he was trapped in! It was in pain and completely numb to the touch.

The cage tightened suddenly and sliced into his arms, legs, and hands. Grunts of agony escaped his mouth at the red threads cutting deep into his skin. There was nothing he could do about it...

Then, suddenly, he smelled a new scent. One that was strong and powerful, as well as… familiar.

The sound of light footsteps running towards him hit his ears. The sound of water crashing against each other but moving delicately along an endless stream followed it. The red threads that had cut into Tanjiro's skin, nearly slicing his entire body into bits, were immediately shredded into a million pieces. A small gasp choked out of his throat seeing the tiny pieces gently float to the ground and disintegrate into nothing. It sounded as if the person who had come to his rescue had no trouble at all. He had no idea who it was; Kagami, Inosuke, or Zenitsu? Was it one of his friends?

Tanjiro struggled to lift his head and turn to see who saved him.

Standing before him was the familiar unruly black hair, sapphire blue eyed stoic teenage boy who he had met two years ago. The one who almost killed but also gave Nezuko a second chance at life. The one who sent Tanjiro to Mr. Urokodaki for training in order to become a Demon Slayer.

"You did a good job holding out until I got here," He spoke to Tanjiro without looking at him. "Leave the rest to me."

Tanjiro gulped a large lump down his throat seeing him standing there in between he and the demon. He looked more intimidating than he remembered. The emotion that didn't linger in his eyes but the determination that crossed his face when they were set on the demon sent chills down his spine.

"You're like an endless torrent of insignificant insects constantly getting in my way!" The demon growled loudly. His blood red eyes widened in fury at the Demon Slayer and spread his hands together. "Blood Demon Art… Cutting Thread Rotation!"

The threads swirled from behind him and formed a rotating wheel in front of him. They moved and slithered so fast it started to flow like bloody water. It was swirling protectively around him! A hole in the middle of the wheel appeared and tightened until it was tiny. The demon then pushed it out towards them all! It was so powerful and forceful the wind was instantly disrupted around Tanjiro, trying to push and tug at his body every which way!

The Demon Slayer didn't move or stiffen in anticipation. His body stayed relaxed and calm in the spot where he stood.

Then, he spoke, just as calmly, "Total Concentration, Water Breathing, Eleventh Form… Dead Calm."

"Eleventh form?!" Tanjiro gasped out.

His eyes widened seeing the Demon Slayer light up brightly like the sun before it quickly dimmed into nothing. He held his sword out by his side and stayed standing in one spot like nothing was wrong. As if he couldn't or didn't see the fatal attack the demon was spiraling towards their way!

"Who cares about your Eleventh Form?!" The demon growled angrily and confidently.

The wheel of threads touched the Demon Slayer… and were instantly shredded into a million pieces once again. He wasn't harmed at all; no blood, cuts, or wounds appeared anywhere on his body. His clothing was still completely intact like the threads didn't touch him! Maybe it didn't… and Tanjiro didn't understand how. He never heard of there being an Eleventh Form of Water Breathing! Did that Demon Slayer create it himself, like how Inosuke created his own breathing technique?

The Demon Slayer didn't flinch or wince. He just kept staring determinedly at the demon and let the tip of his sword gently touch the ground. The demon gasped in disbelief, the anger and fury on his face deepening, at the Demon Slayer who wasn't bothered a single bit.

"That cannot be!" The demon screamed pushing out his hands.

The red color was beginning to fade from his skin, slowly bubbling back to its true pale, as the Demon Slayer slowly advanced towards him.

Then, without hesitation or stopping the flowing movement, the Demon Slayer's sword swiped through his neck. He finished the move by swiping it through the air, the crimson red blood instantly flying from its blade, and sheathed it one fluid motion. Tanjiro had witnessed it all, seeing the powerful, smooth, and unyielding presence of the Demon Slayer defeating the member of the Twelve Kizuki like it was child's play. He was in awe and astonished… but the one thing he cared about the most at the moment was Nezuko.

He fought against the pain, held back the screams by biting down on his tongue, and continued crawling for her. She still laid there with her eyes closed and body shrunken back to its human form. She didn't move a muscle when he called for her and she was still badly injured from the torture inflicted on her.

Tanjiro… was so weak, but he had the strength to crawl on top of her and hug her tightly to his chest. He had the strength to shield her body with his own afraid that something else, another demon, would take her away from him. She was his little sister and, no matter how much stronger she is than him or the fact she is a demon, he was going to protect her no matter what. He swore that vow since the day she was born and promised his father, mother, and the rest of his family that he will protect her with his life.

He laid on top of her and let out a shaky sigh of relief feeling the steady beat of her heart. She was alive… and he was so happy words couldn't express how much.

Just then, something fell beside him.

Tanjiro weakly turned his head and saw Rui's decapitated body beside them. His disintegrating hand was stretched out to them, reaching for them, but it fell to the ground just centimeters short. His disappearing body was emitting a scent that caused tears to form in his eyes. It was the scent of overwhelming grief that one couldn't possibly bear by themselves. All this demon, all Rui wanted,… was a family. He expressed it through anger and fear, torture and torment, but, deep inside, he was in terrible sorrow.

He couldn't forgive what Rui had done to Nezuko, and what he planned, to all the people that had been killed on that mountain, but he couldn't let something, or someone, suffer in pain.

Tanjiro lifted his arm and gently laid his hand on Rui's back.

It was a small gesture but he poured so much warmth into it. It was something many would've found disgusting, intolerable, and sickening. That showing kind and compassion towards a demon was an unforgivable move. He had slaughtered many humans, many of his comrades, and almost took Tanjiro's own life. But, in the end, he couldn't hold a grudge against anyone, human or demon. He firmly believes everyone deserves love, happiness, and life. Just as many showed the same towards Nezuko, he will show it to a demon who had nothing but sadness their whole life.

Soon, after a few mere moments, Rui's body vanished and nothing but clothing was underneath Tanjiro's hand. The overwhelming sense of grief was replaced by relief for a split second before it disappeared.

He hoped that, wherever Rui may be, he found his family.

Tanjiro then heard the beating of what sounded like wings over his head. He looked up towards the sky and his eyes widened slightly at a figure slowly gliding down towards them. It was a woman; she had large white wings on her back, her white sparkling haori was inscribed with many symbols he couldn't recognize, her Demon Slayer Corp uniform decorated with golden pieces of armor at her elbows, knees, and shoulders, and her long platinum hair was pulled down into a neat low ponytail. Her yellow pupils landed on Tanjiro, Nezuko underneath him, and the hand laying against Rui's clothes. Her feet planted on the ground right next to him and she didn't speak for a moment.

She was just as intimidating as the Demon Slayer. Her face held no emotion, her hands still by her side, and her presence was very strong. She held herself high and barely tilted her head to look down at him. Her eyes felt like they were piercing into his soul and they stared with a scrutinizing gaze. When they flickered to Nezuko's unconscious state, he swore he saw them widen slightly.

Tanjiro gasped thinking she was going to attack… but she didn't.

Instead, she fixed them on the remains of Rui and his hand still laying on his white robe. Slowly, she knelt down and placed her own next to Tanjiro's. He watched, fascinated, as it began to glow a gentle white light.

"You showed compassion for a demon when he would've shown you none," She suddenly spoke to Tanjiro running her hand down the white robe.

He couldn't speak. Not with his eyes trained on her furled wings, the turquoise-bladed sword on her hip, and the angelic scent he was smelling. It was pure, strong, and powerful. If she had wanted to kill him, or Nezuko, she would've done so already. She knew Nezuko was a demon already, at first glance, but didn't move to kill her. Instead, she fixed her eyes and focus on the already dead and disintegrated demon in front of her. At first glance, he could already tell she wasn't like other Demon Slayers.

Then, her hand stopped glowing.

She set her eyes back on Tanjiro and spoke, "This demon will be punished accordingly. He killed many people, ate their lives, and destroyed hundreds of families. He would be rotting in hell all alone for the rest of eternity if it wasn't for you." His eyes widened and his breath left him when she added, "I… respect the sympathy you gave him, and recommended a second chance at life. A happier life."

Even if he hadn't seen the wings on her back, he would've thought she was an angel nonetheless.

Suddenly, a pair of feet trampled the robes.

Tanjiro looked up and saw the Demon Slayer standing over him. A look of frustration washed over his face when he spoke firmly, "You shouldn't have wasted your energy and sympathy on a demon. The fact it looked like a child made no difference. It's still a hideous monster that's lived for decades terrorizing our people."

"Giyu," The angel nearly scoffed under her breath but Tanjiro interrupted her.

His angry eyes fell on Giyu's and he growled much to the protest of his lungs, "To avenge the people who were killed, to make sure there are no more victims, of course, I'll bring my blade down on any demon's neck without mercy! But as for those for whom being a demon meant despair, those who regretted their own actions, I will never disrespect them! Because at one time or another, they were human… no different from me! So please move your foot!"

Giyu's expression never changed but the angel's eyes brightened at his words. "They're not hideous monsters at all!" He continued to protest. "Demons are hopeless creatures! They're tragic creatures!"

The older Demon Slayers eyes never left Tanjiro's as he fought for the respect of someone who was in despair.

Then, the angel lifted her hand from Rui's robes and pushed it out towards Nezuko. "May I…?" She had begun to speak but Tanjiro immediately dropped himself over his sister reflexively. The angel didn't recoil or seemed surprised at his immediate response. Instead, she spoke, "I'm not going to hurt her. I just want to examine her. Is that all right?"

He didn't smell any hostility from her or any scent of malice. It seemed she really did just want to examine Nezuko.

"As long as you don't harm her," Tanjiro weakly allowed exposing Nezuko's head.

The angel slowly laid her hand against Nezuko's head and it began to light up softly. She closed her eyes and exhaled a small breath of air. The wind around them felt electrificed, the moonlight suddenly feeling like it was burning into them, as they watched the angel's glowing hand. They stayed like that in silence for a few moments, Tanjiro shakily watching the angel examine, more like analyze, Nezuko, while Giyu watched with narrowed eyes. Tanjiro didn't know what she was doing or what would be concluded from the analysis but he hoped she wouldn't suddenly change her mind about not attacking Nezuko.

Then, she stopped. When she opened her eyes, wonder lined and brightened those yellow pupils. "I see. Very… interesting," She breathed out in a whisper.

He wanted to know what she meant by 'interesting'. Was Nezuko herself interesting, or something else entirely? But what was more curious to Tanjiro was the sudden widen of Giyu's eyes when he gazed down into Nezuko's face. Does he finally recognize them and has seen what Nezuko hasn't become? But his question wouldn't be answered then.

All of a sudden, blue and purple butterflies swarmed Giyu's body.

Something fast approached them from the forest but Tanjiro couldn't see a thing! It was still too dark and his vision was still just as blurry as it was before.

Giyu placed a hand on the hilt of his sword as the angel's wings unfurled from her back. The two of them faced whatever that was approaching from behind Tanjiro and reacted faster than he could! One moment he saw the face of a woman in a Demon Slayer Corp uniform in a butterfly shaped haori advance towards him with such speed! Then the next, he gasped and quickly hunched over Nezuko's body. He thought what he saw was dark before but it was suddenly pitch black! The ringing of steel was the only thing he could hear above the deafening silence that was engulfing him.

"Oh my," He suddenly heard a woman, a different woman, speak with a giggle.

Tanjiro opened his eyes and saw white feathers in his vision. It was the angel's wings, she must've protected him with her own body. But when did she cover them soo quickly? Then, they were swept away revealing the angel and Giyu standing in front of him protectively, their Nichirin Swords unsheathed in their hands.

The woman stood before them with a smile on her face but Tanjiro didn't feel any friendliness at all. All he felt was hostility, anger, and annoyance when she stared at all of them.

She flashed her toothless smile and asked, "Why would you get in my way, Tomioka?"

Tanjiro lifted his eyes seeing the stoic Demon Slayer face the woman with nothing but an expressionless face. So, he was the one who deflected the attack.

"After telling me that we could never get along with demons… How should I put this? That's exactly why no one likes you, you know," She sneered with a small fake giggle at the end.

The woman appeared out of nowhere and tried to kill Nezuko without hesitation. She held herself up with a smile, a friendly and cheerful demeanor at first glance, but Tanjiro could see right through it. No, he could smell the fascade radiating off of her. Her sarcasm and teasing came off as sadistic, and she seemed to enjoy it mostly on Giyu Tomioka. Even when he didn't react at all when she picked on him, Tanjiro could still tell she planned on hurting him more after seeing the Demon Slayer protect him.

She flashed her Nichirin Sword and it made Tanjiro gasp slightly. It was heavily modified and unlike any weapon he had ever seen before. The hilt looked like any other sword but above the guard it lost its blade. It was instead replaced by some kind of rod and ended in a needle-like tip. It resembled a lot like an insect's stinger.

"Now, Tomioka, please move out of the way," She giggled brandishing her sword. "I would forget this little skirmish happened and kill the demon. Then afterwards, you can tell me where my younger brother has gone. How about a deal?"

The angel's blade lit up as she answered, "I sent Karasuma to the Butterfly Mansion to save a young girl's life. As for the demon girl behind us, I'm sorry, Kocho, but we will not move."

"I'm glad to hear he is safe but it's unfortunate you want to spare a demon's life."

"Giyu," The angel turned to him, seeming to look for backup, but his eyes were slightly glossed over.

Even though his face was still expressionless, and hadn't changed for the past few minutes, he didn't seem bothered by the threat of Kocho's words. He actually seemed to be in his own head, thinking, and mulling over her words. His eyes were to the ground, his sword aimed for her, when he suddenly spoke, "I don't… I don't think I'm disliked."

Tanjiro, the angel, and Kocho's faces fell at his words.

Is that… seriously what he had been thinking about the entire time?

Kocho's face into a sympathetic look but even that felt fake to Tanjiro. A small sad smile adorned her face as her empty but wrathful eyes landed on him. "Well, I'm sorry. It seems you hadn't realized that people don't like you. Tenshi's tolerance towards you must've made you think everyone likes being around you. I shouldn't have said anything. My apologies."

Tenshi, the angel's, cheeks burned red and Tomioka's face fell slightly.

Are they seriously bickering about this right now?!

"Young boy!" Kocho called for him.

Tanjiro immediately turned to her, stuttering, "Y-Yes, ma'am!"

Kocho put a hand to the side of her mouth, as if to pretend to shield her words from Tenshi and Tomioka, and giggled, "What you're protecting there is actually a demon. I don't want you to get hurt, so please move away."

"No, you're mistaken!" He exclaimed sitting up and holding Nezuko's head to his chest. Mulling over her words, he mumbled out hesitantly, "Well, I mean, you're not mistaken, but… she's my little sister! She's my little sister, so… You see… That's why…"

He hoped Kocho would show some sort of compassion. A Demon Slayer fighting and defending his younger sister who was transformed into a demon against her will was a tragic story in of itself. He planned on saving her and turning her back into a human, and he will do so. Tenshi and Tomioka seemed to believe in him. They had to if they were risking everything to protect he and Nezuko. So, maybe, Kocho would understand.

But he was wrong.

Kocho lifted a hand to her mouth, a look of sadness flickering across her face when she gasped, "Oh, my. Is that true? Poor soul… In that case," She dropped her hand to reveal a cheerful smile and lifted up her sword, giggling, "I shall use a gentle poison to kill her so she won't suffer."

Tanjiro held onto Nezuko tighter at her words shaking to his core.

"Can you move?" Tomioka suddenly asked him. "Make yourself move even if you can't. Take your sister and run."

Tanjiro's eyes wavered looking at him and they flickered to Tenshi. She nodded her head determinedly at him and motioned for him to make his escape.

"If you let this continue, you two will be breaking the rules of the Corps. When that happens, I will be forced to fight you. A fight two on one doesn't seem fair now, don't you agree? Tenshi, Tomioka, think about what you're doing," Kocho purred in a low tone but her eyes indicated for them to challenge her. To see how well they could stand a chance against her.

When neither of them moved, or said anything, Tanjiro took that as his cue to leave. "Tomioka… Tenshi… Thank you. I appreciate this!" He choked out.

Grabbing Nezuko's body, he swiftly began to make a run for it.

He carried her unconscious body in her arms as he ran through the dark forest. He didn't know how he found the energy and strength but he was glad he did. His arms and legs were still numb to the touch, agony still sparked throughout his entire body, and his chest was wheezing as he forced himself to inhale and exhale. The only thing he forced himself to focus on was getting Nezuko away from all the Demon Slayers that wanted to put her down!

Swiftly grabbing the box from the floor of the forest, he continued running! Tears stung his eyes, his lungs felt they were on fire, and his limbs felt as if they were about to fall off! Every cut, scrap, and wound on his body opened, closed, and reopened with every movement he forced himself to make! He wanted to scream from the pain, he wanted to scream it out until his throat was hoarse, but he needed to endure it!

Endure! Endure! Endure! Endure!

He threw the box over his back in one swift motion and forced his feet to continue pounding into the dirt. His mouth was wide open, his breath entering and exiting shakily, raggedly, and his throat was beginning to go dry. It was the only way for him to continue breathing, trying to get his second wind, so he could push further and further!

But where could he run? He just ran… from a high-ranking Demon Slayer who now knows he is traveling with a demon. It was taboo, forbidden, and against Corp rules to defend and spare a demon's life. Does that mean he'll have to leave the Demon Slayer Corps? Even if Nezuko's his sister, there was no way they'd let one of their swordsmen travel with a demon! They would attempt to kill Nezuko and possibly Tanjiro himself for not slaying her!

Keep running! Keep moving! You gotta run as far away as you can!

THUMP!

The breath was immediately knocked from Tanjiro's chest. An airless groaned spilled from his throat at the sudden force that had slammed into his back from high above. His lungs choked for air, his entire body shaking with agony, and he felt Nezuko's body fall out of his arms. The next thing he knew, he fell face first roughly into the dirt.

What just happened? He had no idea.

He was so focused on running, the idea of just breathing, he wasn't aware of his surroundings! His blurry vision landed on Nezuko sprawled on the ground a mere few feet from him. He needed to get her out of there fast!

Nezuko!

But then, someone landed in front of her.

Their knee-high lace-up white boots with tan soles, heels, and toes entered his vision. His eyes traveled up her legs seeing a purple-tinted knee-length plated skirt and landed on her back. Destroy was inscribed on the back of their shirt. Fear dripped into his stomach seeing those words and realized it was a Demon Slayer! And she was going to kill Nezuko! She raised her sword high to strike down on Nezuko's neck. Her eyes flew open and she stared up at the Demon Slayer in curiosity.

Tanjiro, seeing Nezuko had awoken, immediately raised a hand up. His hand grasped the short white cloak that was fastened around the Demon Slayer's neck and pulled! She instantly fell off balanced and landed backwards on top of him!

Tanjiro stifled the groans of pain and weakly screamed at his sister, "Run! Get out of here, Nezuko! No matter what, don't get caught!"

Nezuko got on her knees and she stared down at him with fear, worry, and sadness. Not for herself but for him! There was so much he wanted to say to her but there was no time! He just needed her to run away as far and as fast she could! When he outstretched his hand to her, pointing, she stood on her feet and ran deep into the forest.

"Hurry—!" He tried to scream but darkness instantly overtook him.

A sharp pain pierced the back of his head. It knocked every breath, sense, and energy out of him in one swift motion. Tanjiro couldn't recall or remember anything after that. He just… hoped Nezuko was able to survive…