Finally, after a week, the group of Demons returned to the Demon Slayer Headquarters. "Well, let's go report about everything" Tanjuro sighed. All he wanted was to see his family again, and so did Kie and Shizu, but he knew letting Kagaya know about everything came first. As they walked to the Ubuyashiki family house, Kyojuro walked past them. "Ah! Tanjuro! Mitsuri and I have just reported what happened at the Swordsmith Village! Lady Amane wanted to see all of you later, but she hasn't said anything about right now!" The Rengoku exclaimed. The Demon King blinked in confusion. Surly if the Two Hashira who had been present had already given their reports, then they wouldn't be needed just yet?
And what had he meant by Lady Amane? What about Kagaya? But Tanjuro nodded in understanding despite his confusion, "we were on our way to do just that. Thank you for your help back at the Village Kyojuro" he said with a grateful smile. "Of course! It's my job!" the firey-haired young man replied, before they parted ways. As they arrived at the Main house, Kagaya's two Oldest Daughters were waiting for them. They both bowed, "Lord Tanjuro and others, please follow us" one of the white-haired girls said. The group removed their shoes and followed the two children into the building. Eventually they reached the main meeting hall, where the twins knelt to the floor and slid open the door. The Demons entered the room to find Amane Ubuyashiki waiting for them. "Greetings Lord Tanjuro and to his Demons. Love Hashira Mitsuri Kanroji and Flame Hashira Kyojuro Rengoku have told us what happened at the Swordsmith Village in their own experiences. Namely that Lord Kyojuro fought alongside your Wife and young Sayuri in battle against Upper Rank 4. They managed to defeat the enemy Demon, but we have yet to receive your report on what happened.
Could you tell us now?" the white-haired woman asked calmly. Tanjuro looked calm on the outside, but internally he was panicking: 'Holy fuck! My wife fought Upper 4! What if something had happened to her?! At least when we fought Gyutaro and Daki together, they were weaker and she had more help!' Yukito noticed a dazed look on his Master's face, and grabbed his shoulder, "Lord Tanjuro?" he asked. The Kamado Demon snapped out of his panic and looked around. Everyone was staring at him. "I'm sorry for that, I was just- worried. Everyone is alright, aren't they?" Tanjuro asked. "I'm fine Lord Tanjuro! Don't worry!" Sayuri assured him. The Demon King sighed in relief.
Then he became serious, "Yes Ma'am" Tanjuro said, and began retelling the events of that night as he knew them.
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After he finished telling Amane how his battle with Hantengu had gone, the Ubuyashiki nodded in understanding. "You said that you saw energy flowing through the Love Hashira's body, starting from her neck, correct? When Shinobu examined Miss Mitsuri, she found a strange red mark on her neck, assumingly in the same place you saw. She found the same thing with Kyojuro. Could this have something to do with the mark on your forehead Lord Tanjuro? It is the same colour as the other Marks." The woman asked. Tanjuro reached up and touched his forehead, brushing his claws over the skin, "When I was fighting, I could feel energy flowing through me, more than I had at the start of the battle. My forehead felt hot, and with every form of the Hinokami Kagura I performed, it felt like my body was growing hotter, but not in a painful way.
I've felt the same way before, but not to this extent. I'm sorry I don't have more answers for you Ma'am" he said apologetically. Amane raised a hand, "it's no problem, please. We'll just have to figure this out on our own" she replied. "Now. Why don't you head home. There are some people who want to see you" she said. Tanjuro was confused. Did she mean his children? But he stood up, along with his Demons, "thank you for your time" he said. Then they all left the building. As soon as they had, Tanjuro began running. 'I have to get home. I hope everyone is okay. Hopefully Rokuta and Koto are both alright' he thought, before leaping over the buildings on the way to the Love Hashira Estate.
"Hold on Lord Tanjuro! Not everyone can move as fast as you!" Yukito called, as Sayuri and Ume tried to move faster.
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Sanemi finally reached the Love Estate, and, hearing the laughter of children, he hurried inside the building. There he found all of his Siblings playing together. The new Demon Slayer beamed, running towards them all, "hey, guys!" the white-haired boy called, waving. "Big Brother!" most of the Shinazugawa and Kamado children cried, running over to him. The only ones who didn't were Takeo and Haruka, both of whom walked over to him. "Are you okay? Are you hurt?!" Hanako asked. Sumi moved towards her Older Brother, taking his face, which had a bandage over his nose.
"Big Brother, what happened?" she asked worriedly. "Oh, I'm okay, it's just a scratch" Sanemi replied with a smile, "I missed you all so much!" he said. "Everyone!" Tanjuro cried, running over to his children with his Demons and Wife behind him. Kie and Shizu immediately ran over to their children, "Daddy!- Mom?!" The Kamado children cried, before the younger ones all burst into tears, and ran to hug their parents. "Mommy!" Hanako wailed, "you're in the sunlight! And you're okay!" Shigeru said, hugging his Mother tightly. "Well, I think this calls for a feast!" Hiro said cheerfully. "Oh, yes!" Kanna agreed.
"YEAH!" The children agreed.
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Later that night, Shizu lay with all of her children, holding Sanemi in her arms as she meditated. Tanjuro smiled over at them, as he got ready to lay with everyone. Kie had already gone to sleep, the sound of her soft breathing mixing with that of the rest of their children. Just because he couldn't sleep, didn't mean that he could hold them while they slept. His arms carefully wrapped around Hanako and Rokuta, Tanjuro smiled happily. His family was safe and warm. They had more than enough food to eat, and Demons weren't a problem.
Despite everything, the Kamado Patriarch felt like things were turning around for them.
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Yuto Tokito led his Sons towards the rendezvous for the Kakushi to take them to the Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters. "Father, are you sure we should be traveling at night? What about the Demons?" Muichiro asked nervously. Yuto gripped his sword, "don't worry. No matter what, I'll get us all there safely. I will protect you both with my life! Because now, I am a Demon Slayer too!" the young man said firmly. Muichiro looked up at his Father with stars in his eyes, "I believe in you Father! I'm sure you'll be really strong!" he said happily. Yuichiro crossed his arms, but smiled, "Yes, if Father could become a Demon Slayer, then I'm sure he'll become stronger" Suddenly a massively heavy presence fell over the three of them. 'This- what is this presence?! It's impossibly strong!' Yuto thought, feeling a shudder go through his whole body.
"Both of you! Get over here now and stay close to me!" the young man ordered. Yuichiro and Muichiro looked up at him and hurried over to their Father. "You- react quickly, Demon Slayer. Even if, it's diluted, I can sense it. My blood in your body" the Demon said, as he appeared as if from nowhere. The Father and two Sons shuddered at both the feeling the Demon gave off, and his appearance. He had long red hair and grey skin. But the most shocking thing about him was the six eyes on his face. And in the middle two eyes, were the Kanji for 'Upper 1'. Muichiro whimpered. Wasn't Upper 1 the strongest of the evil Demon King's 12 Kizuki?! They were going to die! He just knew it!
"Yuichiro! Take your Brother and get out of here! I'll try to buy you both some time!" Yuto called back to them. "What?! No! You can't Father! You'll die!" Yuichiro cried. Their Father turned to give his Sons a smile, "it is the job of a Parent to die before their children. Now, go!" he yelled, charging towards the Demon. "No! Father!" Muichiro yelled, trying to stop him, but his Brother held him back, "we have to go Brother! Now!" he cried, wrapping his arms around his twin's chest and trying to drag him away. "No! Brother! Let go of me! We have to help him! Father will die!" the younger twin screamed, tears welling up in his eyes.
Suddenly, in the blink of an eye, their Father's arm came flying through the air and landed beside them. The twins turned to look at the limb, with utter horror on their faces. It was still holding their Father's Sword. Suddenly a scream of agony rang out, and the boys looked over at their Father, to see him clutching his bloody stump with his remaining hand, blood leaking from between his fingers. "You, are not even, worthy to carry my, blood. I will now end, your pathetic life" the Demon said, raising his Sword. Instead of cowering, Yuto stood up and held out his remaining arm, "d-do whate-ever you want to m-me. But I won't l-let you hurt my boys!" the growled furiously. 'Father' Muichiro thought, as the monster seemed to move in slow motion to raise his sword, 'Father' he thought as more of his beloved Father's blood splattered to the floor from his missing arm.
'FATHER!' Muichiro thought as he remembered the Demon attack that had taken their Mother from them. Suddenly the boy felt a massive fury overtake him, and he snatched up his Father's Katana, screaming as he charged the Demon poised to kill his Father. "Muichiro, don't!" he faintly heard his Brother scream at him as he tore out of his arms. But all the black and cyan-haired boy could hear was the sound of his pounding heartbeat, the blood rushing through him, and the scream tearing at his throat. "GET AWAY FROM MY FATHER!" Muichiro screamed furiously. Mist engulfed the boy as he subconsciously began using his Father's Mist-Breathing. He was moving so fast, faster than he ever had.
Raising the Sword over his head with his skinny arms, which felt a lot stronger than normal, the boy let out a furious scream, and executed a sloppy, but still effective Fourth Form. Unfortunately Upper One easily dodged the attack. He glanced over at the sky, which was beginning to lighten, before looking back at the child, who was creating a mist all around him without knowing it. "I must- go. But we will, meet again, boy" The Demon said, before promptly vanishing. Muichiro turned back to his Father, still clinging to his sword as Yuichiro stared at him. "F-Father- urg!" the boy stumbled and dropped the blade, as his heart pounded like it was trying to beat out of his chest.
"Brother! Father!" Yuichiro cried, as he watched his twin collapse. He ran over to them just as the cry of a Crow could be heard. "Demon attack! This way! This way! Caw!" the Kasigai Crow called, as several Kakushi ran up, "oh my God! What happened?!" one of the masked people demanded to know. "My Father! Please help my Father! His arm! He's lost so much blood, I don't know what to do!" Yuichiro cried, beginning to sob, as he was overwhelmed by everything that had just happened over such a short period of time. As the Kakushi began to tend to Yuto and Muichiro, another one took off her jacket and wrapped it around the trembling Yuichiro.
'Why did this have to happen?! Please God! Don't take my Father too! Please!' the boy begged in his mind.