Chapter 48: Yoriichi's story

Notes: Part 2 of 2. A double update!

"He was overflowing with violent intent. He strongly resembled magma erupting from a volcano. He boiled and seethed as if to consume everything. 'I am no longer interested in swordsmen who use breathing.' Upon he said that he lashed out. He possessed fearsome speed and a long reach. As I dodged, I heard the bamboo splitting and falling a considerable distance behind me. I sensed that even a single scratch would kill me. For the first time ever, I felt a chill down my spine. He had seven hearts and five brains."

Tanjirou paled upon hearing it.

'How can we beat him, then?' he wondered, defeated, 'No wonder cutting his head won't work. We have to cut down all his hearts and brains. Otherwise, we have to hope to keep him from fleeing so he can burn in the sun.'

"And in that moment I completed my sword forms."

'The completed forms? Even the thirteenth?! I want to know! Teach me!' Tanjirou prayed in his heart.

Another memory, Yoriichi-san using Sun Breath on Muzan, the fight between the two, unraveling while Yoriichi-san spoke, Tanjirou being aware of Sumiyoshi's attention being focused on his friend and savior.

"The man appeared confused that his body wasn't regenerating. He was supporting his severed head so it wouldn't fall, but it wouldn't reconnect. I realised that my bright red blade would immediately work against even the progenitor of demons. There was something…I needed to ask him. 'What is the value of life to you?' He didn't answer me. He merely looked at me, but…perhaps due to anger, his face turned dark red. I thought my words had not reached him. Then…I glanced at the demon girl with him. She did not attempt to help him. With her eyes wide open, she leaned forward…and she stared at the man with the severed head. It looked oddly like her eyes were shining with hope."

'Tamayo-san.' Tanjirou recognised her.

"I decided to finish off the man before dealing with her. When I took a step towards him…I heard the sound of teeth grinding. The next moment, his body burst open with incredible force. Of the 1800 scattered pieces of flesh…I cut a little more than 1500 of them. However, the remaining pieces were too small. I suspect enough escaped to recombine into a lump the size of a human head. As I stood there…the girl let out a cry, as if weeping…and I heard her collapse."

"You almost did it… So he has overcome the weakness of beheading…"

"The girl forced out her words and tore at her hair."

"I wish that filthy man had died! Kibutsuji Muzan!" Tamayo-san screamed, only to freeze, shocked, "I'm not dying… Why am I not dying?" she wondered looking at herself.

"When I calmed the flustered girl, she spoke to me in a rush about the man. And…she said that Kibutsuji Muzan the progenitor of the demons…would probably never show himself to me again. The girl…was relieved to temporarily be free of Muzan's control due to his weakened state…so I asked for her help in defeating him. She was hesitant at first, but she agreed." Yoriichi-san said, "Her name was Tamayo…and she had sad eyes."

'All this time… All these years… She was trying to kill Muzan not only for what he did to her, but also because Yoriichi-san asked for her help.' Tanjirou realised, 'Because he was her safest bet to killing the man that turned her into a demon and a slave.'

"Then I heard from comrades who rushed to me…that my older brother had become a demon. I…had failed to kill Kibutsuji…and I had allowed Tamayo to escape…and my brother had become a demon, so they banished me from demon slaying. Some even said I should commit suicide. My Master, who had just become our leader at age six, would not allow that. I was sorry to further burden a suffering child…who had just lost his father."

"But it wasn't your fault, Yoriichi…" Sumiyoshi spoke, bringing Tanjirou back to his ancestor's house.

"I think…I was born with special strength for the purpose of defeating Kibutsuji Muzan. But I was lacking. In the end, I failed. Because of that, many more people will die from now on. And that pains me."

Tanjirou's heart was breaking.

'…I can't…speak. So many things had happened to Yoriichi-san…that I couldn't find any words to offer. I thought that perhaps…my ancestor Sumiyoshi…might say something, but…the silence continued for a while. I want to do something. He came here because he is deeply hurt. I need some way to…'

Suddenly, a very young voice broke the silence.

"Hug!" Sumire said.

"Um…would you mind holding her? She'll be happy if you lift this little one high, and you're taller than I am, so…" Sumiyoshi said, with a choked voice, Tanjirou feeling his unshed tears, clinging to his eyes still.

For some reason, Tanjirou could see Yoriichi lift Sumire in the air, but also see Sumire's laughing face, as Yoriichi-san lifted her high. He could feel Yoriichi-san's shock at finding hope once more, tears running freely from his eyes.

"Sumiyoshi, I'm back!" a female voice called from the woods, "Look how big the chestnuts are this year!" she called happily, only to freeze seeing the scene, "What happened?" she asked.

Tanjirou could feel Sumiyoshi and Yoriichi crying, the latter having knelt down and holding Sumire in his arms, feeling a strange relief in the simple act of lifting a baby, hearing its laughter and holding it close.

"Hm? Oh, it's Yoriichi!" Suyako leaned to the side to get a better look, recognising the swordsman, "Why are you crying? I'm sure it'll be fine!" she asked, with a smile, kneeling beside him, her son sleeping on her back, "I'll feed you a nice big meal! Okay?" she patted his head, "So cheer up! Come on!" helping him to his feet.

'I know I'm in the middle of a fight…and that Yoriichi-san died hundreds of years ago, but…I can't help but wish that his heart will find even a little peace.' Tanjirou thought, as Sumiyoshi wiped his tears away, watching his wife smile and laugh, trying to cheer up their friend.