Then Caleb jumped from a high height but landed safely as his Digimon and Pokémon partners were following him and then Tanjiro followed Caleb too while in another part of the demon stronghold, Aria along with Lunamon, Alban, Krisi, Winter, Aries, Cancer, Shinobu, Keith and Scott Todoroki.
"You guys…!" Aria and Lunamon said with relief, however, Aria was hastily catching her breath.
Then they approached the Digidestined of Tenacity.
"Breathe deep." Shinobu told her and Aria then breathed deeply.
"Sorry, I was desperate to reunite with some of you." Aria said.
"I know you're stressed but calm down, we're on this together." Cancer added reassuringly.
"So, which part of the fortress are we?" Alban asked.
"Knowing that we're with Shinobu, that could mean that Doma will be our next opponent." Aries said.
"Hopefully we trained enough to defeat him." Scott T said.
"However, I must wait until he lets down his guard and then I'll fire the arrow." Keith M said, having the plan to poison the Upper Moon 2 with the arrow of 50 wisteria litters.
Just then, Shinobu caught a peculiar scent.
"It smells like blood." Shinobu said and then Aria felt a heartache.
"Apart from blood, I can feel someone suffering…" Aria said, feeling bad for the innocent life.
"Let's go slowly…" Winter told the group and they nodded.
Then they saw the familiar demon with the carefree smile, Doma, and he is eating the bodies of women much for their anger and shock.
"That? Did you come?" Doma asked, casually happy, feeling the group's presence. "Wow! The presence of four girls! You four look young and delicious, I have to say thank you to Nakime later."
The heroes' eyes widened as Doma kept his charismatic smile however it cannot hide that sadism and thirst for blood inside of him while Shinobu had a flashback, even if Kanae was revived not long ago, said memory of the past was haunting her.
"Shinobu, quit the Demon Slayer Corps, you're trying, I'm really trying, maybe Shinobu…" Past Kanae said, being close to death, speaking with Past Shinobu one las time. "I want you to get the happiness of a normal girl and live until you become a grandmother."
"Enough, is enough! No! Never give up!" Past Shinobu tearfully shouted. "I will definitely take my sister's revenge! Tell me what kind of demon he is!? When did you get hit? Sister Kanae! Tell me please! This kind of thing… I… can't live normally!"
Past Kanae shivered a bit while streaming some tears from her eyes before closing them and dying due her injuries.
"Sister!" Past Shinobu shouted.
Now back in the present.
"It's him…!" Aries said, glaring hatefully at Doma, clearly due his noble-like appearance.
"Nice to meet you, my name is Doma, what a nice night." Doma introduced himself to the heroes before asking the cancer warrior. "Isn't there another little girl with you? The one who is your sister."
"You are not allowed to mention her!" Cancer angrily told him.
"Help me!" A girl begged.
"Shh, you're talking right now." Doma shushed the girl.
Then Aries used his two guns and machine guns while Cancer tossed her boomerangs and Shinobu along with Aria and Lunamon dashed and successfully saved the girl.
"Phew…" Aria sighed in relief.
"Are you hurt?" Shinobu asked the girl.
"Wow! Fast and clever! A pillar and extra guests!" Doma said with a fake compliment.
"Yes…" The girl replied but then gasped in shock and fell into pieces and died.
"No…!" Aria gasped while covering her mouth in pure horror and steamed tears nonstop.
"Are you okay? Just leave it there." Doma said as Aria was feeling on the verge of entering into a mental breakdown.
"How could you kill her!?" Aria asked angrily while streaming tears of despair.
"I saved by killing her, it's the only way to end their suffering." Doma gently replied.
"Save your fake kindness!" Alban said with fury. "Your twisted idea of ending the suffering by killing people is something that I won't forgive you!"
"Please, don't complain, only living with me will end your suffering." Doma said.
"Not in your damn life!" Krisi said, sharing Alban's fury.
"And not before an insane like you!" Shinobu told Doma. "Are you alright? Really nauseous."
"Huh?" Doma asked, confused.
"Even though I met you before, it's quite irritating!" Aries said.
"Oh really? Unfortunately something happened, listen to me, talk to me." Doma said.
Just before Aries could say something, Shinobu put a hand in front of him before speaking to the Upper Moon 2 while Keith M hid somewhere waiting to strike Doma with the poisonous arrow.
"There is nothing spicy! You're the one who killed my sister!? Even if she was revived, I won't forget the day you killed her!" Shinobu angrily said.
"Really?" Doma asked before remembering. "Ahh! Is that the girl who used Flower Breathing? I was a kind and sweet child, the child who failed to eat when the sun rose, remember! I wanted to eat her properly."
*Squirming Evil (Kingdom Hearts 1.5 Remix)*
-Upper Moon 2, Doma-
"It's enough!" Aria yelled as her Digimon partner evolved who shared her partner's anger too.
Lunamon Matrix Digivolve to… Crescemon!
"Lunatic Dance!" Crescemon said as she used her attack and slashed Doma.
"Dance of the Bee Sting: True Flutter!" Shinobu said as she thrusted her sword into Doma's left eye.
And Crescemon followed by using Sacred Sword with her Nova Luna.
"Those are great thrusts! I couldn't stop them." Doma said before attacking. "Blood Demon Art: Frozen Lotus!"
Just as he said, he unleashed ice spikes which barely hit both, but then the Sharp siblings got in front to absorb their attack and then
Alban used his frosty breath while Krisi launched snowballs and Winter snowflake shurikens, all of them powered-up and hitting Doma.
"Very clever absorption of my ice, it has to be special from the Sharp siblings, especially my own ice attacks which are really dangerous, the only way of killing me it's the neck." Doma said as he healed himself from the poison but then he felt stronger the wisteria poison.
'Now I know this poison works for the first quarter.' Shinobu said in her thoughts as Doma collapsed on his knees before vomiting blood.
"This is more powerful than the poison used on Louie's mountain…!" Doma said.
"Information was shared, poison is a double-edged sword…!" Shinobu said.
"That person also said that the compounding is different for each demon…" Doma said.
"Crescemon, attack him!" Aria shouted.
She nodded before using Sacred Sword again but then Doma managed to get up.
"Poison, looks like it's been decomposed, I'm sorry." He said before dodging Crescemon attack and punched the Digimon enough to revert her back into Lunamon and knock her out.
Aria gasped in horror with the mouth covered again while Doma recovered quickly.
"Even though you took the trouble to use it, the sword, the sound it makes when it's sheathed is special." Doma said before asking. "Are you changing the poison formula there? Wow, fun!"
He clapped his hands happily.
"It's fun to eat poison, it's going to become a habit! Do you think the following combination will work? Let's try it!" Doma said.
"I agree!" Shinobu said.
"This is for Lunamon!" Aria yelled.
Then they attacked Doma with everything, Aria is swinging her Keyblade and Battle Axe, Alban is using his icy daggers, Krisi attacking with the legs, Winter using snowflake chakrams, Aries using his guns to fire grenades, Cancer using her claws, Shinobu using her sword and Scott T attacking with fire against enemy ice while Doma is only attacking by using only his two fans, despite the heroes managed to strike Doma, he managed to recover without problems while the group is getting tired.
"Many times, this is no good either, it doesn't work, it's getting less and less effective, after that how many times can I mix poison or even receive damage from different weapons?" Doma asked. "Ah! Can't you hold your breath? You all are sweating a lot, are you all okay?"
'This is the strength of the first string… no poison works. The speed at which resistance is built up is abnormal.' Shinobu said in her thoughts.
"It's painful because the alveoli are necrotic, but some of you inhaled my Demon Art." Doma said while Aria is holding Lunamon closer while glaring at the Upper Moon Two.
'Mist the frozen blood and spread it with a fan, breathing itself is dangerous, continuously shooting a large amount of poison.' Shinobu said in her thoughts before performing her technique. "Dance of the Dragonfly: Compound Eye Hexagon!"
"I follow you!" Scott said before covering his right leg in fire and performed a flying and flaming kick.
"Me too!" Cancer said before gathering star energy and did a cross slash going through Doma.
"Wow, you are faster while the other two are skilled, probably the best opponents I've ever met." Doma said.
But then Shinobu felt a nasty slash in her left b*** while Cancer got a nasty slash on her left side and Scott T is feeling an intense bleeding in his stomach.
"No way…!" Aries said in shock.
The Sharp siblings are shocked, even Keith from afar because Doma is still fine, but Aria is still watching in shock, covering her mouth and breathing hastily, she couldn't stop wondering Shinobu's death in front of her eyes, she was having a very hard to think, much shock, sadness, despair but then it was replaced by pure anger before letting out a war cry as she charged towards Doma.
"W-wait stop!" Shinobu called Aria but too late.
Aria jumped while performing an upper slash which managed to pin Doma against the ceiling.
"So strong even though you're a 16 years old girl." Doma said and then Aria got a nasty slash in the left side of her body and she felt the blood streaming as she started to fall down.
*Green Bird (Cowboy Bebop)*
Lunamon watched in horror while streaming tears at her sight of her human partner getting a serious damage, Alban is also shocked before closing his eyes and hardly holding his tears back, Krisi held her little brother while streaming tears and closing her eyes too, Winter was shocked but clenching his weapons, Cancer covered her mouth in horror seeing how her friend was damaged in battle, Keith was also shocked because the nasty slash the Aria got, Scott Todoroki is holding tightly his wound and seeing Aria falling down in shock, Aries shook his head quickly in disbelief because he already know that Shinobu was planning to sacrifice herself to weaken Doma but now he feels like Aria is sacrificing herself instead of Shinobu, and lastly Shinobu's eyes widened in shock and disbelief at the sight before her, the sight of the Aria being slashed by Doma and the blood that began to pour out, was enough to send a jolt of horror through Shinobu's body.
"No...no, no, no!" She said in panic.
Shinobu's heart raced with a mix of anxiety and fear for Aria, wanting to do something, anything to help, but she was paralyzed in shock, her mind trying to process the situation.
And as for Aria, she felt her own life vanishing in front of her eyes and also having memories when she was adopted, the day when she met Caleb and all the previous adventures, believing that she would die, she remembered all her past memories for one last time, she streamed tears as she was falling down and closed her eyes knowing it's her end.
*Ends*
But suddenly Doma used Lotus Vines and grabbed Aria before pulling her close to him while Shinobu is still shocked not waiting to see her friend sacrificing for her.
"Very noble your sacrifice, I have never seen someone very brave to protect your friends, any last words?" Doma asked Aria with crocodile tears.
"Go to hell…" Aria choked as she closed her eyes and coughed blood.
Just before Doma could kill her, suddenly Seth with Flaremon appeared quickly and used his Twilight Wand which sent an energy blade of light and darkness and Flaremon used Ceaseless Edge with her hands forming karate chops and both sliced Doma's arms and releasing Aria, Shinobu dashed quickly and caught Aria before the Insect Hashira turned to see her boyfriend Seth while everyone feels relieved.
*His World - E3 2006 (Sonic the Hedgehog)*
"No one messes with my family!" Seth firmly declared while Shinobu caught Aria before hitting the floor.
The Insect Pillar let out a sigh of relief at the sight of Seth appearing just in time to save Aria, she gently held her wounded friend on the ground, her eyes meeting Seth's with a mix of gratitude and concern.
"Thank you, Seth." Shinobu said, her voice filled with a mixture of gratitude and worry before looking down at Aria in her arms, seeing the extent of her injuries and the blood that stained her clothes.
"Master!" Another voice called as they turned to see Kanao who was concerned for Shinobu. "Master?"
Then Shinobu's adopted sister not only noticed her big adoptive sister's condition, also the one of Aria, and the conditions of Cancer and Scott Todoroki.
'The person you like and the important person are vague, I feel like I'm alive tomorrow and the day after tomorrow.' Kanao said in her thoughts.
"How delightful? How sad I missed a meal tonight, but the other ones won't escape from me? What's your name?" Doma asked Kanao.
"I… am Kanao Tsuyuri, and Shinobu Kocho's little sister…!" Kanao introduced himself in front of Doma while Aria with Lunamon and Shinobu are watching the heroes who aren't injured in action.
"This is weird, no one of the pillars has died, things could be easier for us." Doma said openly from his mind.
"What a shame for you." Kanao told Doma.
"What?" Doma asked in confusion.
"People born into this world can feel joy, sadness, rage and other emotions so strongly they tremble. But that's all a mystery to you isn't it? You've never felt happiness. Felt enjoyment. Felt pain. Felt bitterness. In fact, you're nothing but an empty shell. It's quite comical, it's so stupid. Why were you even born?" Kanao said as she was on the verge of a mental breakdown.
"But I've never come across a bully like you, how could you say something so cruel?" Doma asked, feigning hurt feelings while Cancer managed to recover herself.
"Don't you get it? It's because I hate emotionless monsters like you, just in the same way as Kanao hates you." Cancer said dryly.
"And I want to lop your head off and send you to hell this instant." Kanao added.
But suddenly Doma appeared behind both girls and swung his fan but they quickly ducked and both used their weapons to slash Doma's stomach causing his intestines to come out.
"Blergh…!" Aria gagged before holding her vomit back to avoid losing blood.
"Their reaction speed got faster, even if one of them is injured, they are starting to adjust my movements and fight." Doma commented while seeing Kanao. 'Could that girl be more powerful than the pillar girl I failed to eat.'
"Now prepare to face us!" Alban said as he along with Krisi and Winter are ready to fight.
"We will make sure you don't hurt innocent people ever again!" Aries said as he prepared his guns.
"Well, more members is merrier." Doma said, hiding sadism to kill them.
"For the first I never felt much hatred against an emotionless and despicable demon like him, luckily both Aria and Shinobu are safe from a cruel destiny…!" Alban dryly said as he is manifesting an icy aura.
"How dare you try to kill my family!" Kanao told Doma before performing her skill. "Flower Breathing First Form: Peony of Futility!"
Then Aries and Cancer activated their Star Power to increase their power while Alban activated his Primal Form while Doma managed to heal himself.
"Geki Waza: Hitsuji no Tenohira Kogeki!" Aries exclaimed as a white aura surrounded him before attacking Doma.
"Let's go!" Seth said as he summoned dark and light clones of himself to attack the Upper Moon Two.
"Feel my lightning!" Scott Todoroki said before using the lightning element to kick Doma many times.
"Here I go!" Cancer said before using her claws.
"With everything!" Winter and the Sharp siblings attacked too.
"Seven, eight, nine straight attacks. How nice, they're so pretty, now it's my turn." Doma said before attacking. "Blood Demon Art: Barren Hanging Garden!"
He performed his skill which is a flurry of fan attacks that create gusts of razor-sharp ice shards trying to slash them but they dodged.
"Their movements are well synchronized, they are very special, including the pillar's little sister who is predicting my next more attentively looking at my faint movements. Not only are they smart, they are very clever and skilled despite being children." Doma said as he kept attacking.
He swung his fan barely hitting Kanao who ducked again.
"Blood Demon Art: Wintry Icicles!" Doma said as he created stakes from above but the Sharp siblings managed to absorb the attack while Scott Todoroki used his fire to protect the two Zodiac Warriors and young Demon Slayer.
"Now take a taste of your own medicine!" Winter said before firing ice arrowheads at Doma hitting him.
"Not bad at all absorbing my moves, but you've gotta get close or else you can't get my head." Doma said.
"Save your fake compliments!" Winter said.
Suddenly Doma dashed faster and then Kanao's sword was gone as she gasped.
"You weren't holding this tightly, so I took it. Okay then, I'll just stick it here, better come get it quickly." Doma said as he was holding Kanao's sword before attacking. "Blood Demon Art: Scattering Lotuses!"
"That demon is playing with us!" Krisi irritably said.
But then suddenly Inosuke burst from the ceiling but also Assana came with her dagger and she used water arrowheads to destroy the ice lotuses and both landed in the wooden platform.
"Now two interesting children have shown up." Doma said.
"Once I become pillar, I'll be called the beast pillar… No, pig pillar!? Which do you think is better? Huh…" Inosuke asked before seeing Kanao, who is quiet and saw the other team members. "You're all beaten up! The hell happened! If you get hurt, you know! Shinobu will get mad! She'll get hell mad!"
*Ends*
However, Kanao's eyes were shimmering with sadness as she turned to see the injured Shinobu and Aria, luckily they are alive but in critical conditions.
"Oh no…!" Assana gasped at her sight.
While Seth and the others are analyzing the situation and Doma is staying there without attacking, Shinobu is checking Aria.
"Shinobu… I'm sorry, I shouldn't interfere." Aria said sadly before coughing blood and streaming tears of fear and feeling her body getting cold. "I was an idiot, naïve and reckless, but I couldn't let you die, please, don't be mad with me."
Aria sniffled again and sobbing quietly, but then Shinobu smiled sadly but warmly too before using her left hand to caress Aria's right cheek who gasped as she saw Shinobu, her smile was warm and understanding as she looked down at Aria, her gaze filled with a mixture of sympathy and affection, she gently ran her left hand over Aria's right cheek, her touch soothing and comforting.
"No, don't apologize." Shinobu said softly, her voice filled with kindness and reassurance. "You are anything but naive and reckless. You were brave and selfless in trying to protect me. I could never be mad at you."
Aria tried to speak but coughed blood slightly and Shinobu continued comforting Aria who is trying hard to stop her coughing, her expression turned even more worried as she watched Aria struggle to speak and cough up blood, she continued to gently caress Aria's cheek, trying to provide comfort and reassurance.
"Shh, it's alright. Just take it easy." Shinobu's voice was gentle and soothing, like a soothing lullaby.
Shinobu's eyes darted back and forth, her mind racing with worry and concern for the young girl in front of her, she desperately wanted to do something, anything to help.
"Aria…" Lunamon, injured, but with strength to speak as she approached her injured human partner.
"Brother…" Aria could barely say some words while seeing Seth fighting against Doma, Shinobu could see clearly Aria's tears of concern in her eyes and she turned to see Shinobu face to face. "I'm cold…"
Shinobu gently pulled Aria closer to her, trying to provide as much warmth as she could, the sight of Aria's tears and the fear in her voice tugged at Shinobu's heartstrings. She knew that Aria's condition was serious, but she refused to give up hope.
"I know, sweetie. I know you're cold. But you have to stay strong, okay? We'll get you some help." Shinobu's voice was soft and reassuring, trying to keep her own fear and worry hidden.
Then she used her haori similar from her sister Kanae to put in Aria's body, Aria couldn't help but sigh despite the pain from the previous injury, more tears streamed down and Aria closed her eyes tightly, Shinobu even couldn't help but stream a few tears too, she carefully wrapped Aria with her haori, trying to provide whatever comfort and warmth she could, she watched as Aria closed her eyes tightly, seeing the tears streaming down her cheeks and feeling her own emotions beginning to get the better of her.
"Please hold on..." Shinobu whispered softly, her voice catching in her throat.
Tears were welling up in her own eyes as she struggled to maintain her composure, the weight of the situation and the memories of her sister weighing heavily on her heart while during the battle.
"I'm glad to know that me and Flaremon changed sides before saving both, sister and girlfriend from cruel deaths!" Seth said as he was facing Doma.
"Did the demon try to kill Shinobu?" Inosuke asked.
"I tried to offer her a place to live inside me for all eternity." Doma replied.
"A fate worse than death!" Cancer growled angrily and glaring at the demon with pure hatred.
"Okay, only me and my siblings can inhale the cold air when he swings his fans!" Alban said seriously.
"For the rest of us it will be dangerous to inhale that cold air." Aries added.
"Now I'll make him pay for injuring my sister and damaging Shinobu's soft skin…!" Seth dryly said.
Inosuke flashbacked when he made a pinky promise with the insect pillar.
"Even if Shinobu is not dead, but injured badly, I'll shred that demon to pieces!" Inosuke said before lunging at Doma.
"I follow you, future boar pillar!" Seth said as he and Flaremon lunged at Doma.
Both Seth dodged normally while Flaremon dodged by jumping and Inosuke used his flexibility to perform a 360 degree kick.
"Wow, so flexible! That's amazing!" Doma said as Inosuke managed to grab Kanao's stolen sword as he saw Inosuke returning the sword to Kanao. "You're fast I didn't even notice."
"Haizz, shut up!" Aries shouted before using flamethrowers from his two guns but Doma dodged only to be kicked by Inosuke.
"Beast Breathing Ninth Fang: Godly undu-lating slice!" Inosuke said as he performed his technique and slashed across Doma's eyes.
"I've lived a very long life, but I've never seen a kid like you before." Doma said, faking impression.
"Well, of course, I'm Inosuke!" Inosuke introduced himself but then Doma passed quickly and took his boar's mask.
"Hmm, this boar skin is quite aged." Doma said before asking. "How did you tinker with the eyes?"
"There's one thing I must tell you, Inosuke. He was the demon who killed your mother." Aries said and then Inosuke was shocked as he remembered when he was a baby while Inosuke smiled in realization.
"Oh, you spoiled the surprise." Doma said with a fake pout before smiling and speaking to Inosuke. "I saw you before, meaning that my eternal paradise cult took in that poor woman, she had the game face as you but she looked more dedicated and soft, your mom, am I right? Oh yeah! No mistake about that."
"Zip it already! You stupid piece of trash! Give that back!" Inosuke yelled as he lunged at Doma. "Beast Breathing Sixth Fang!"
The Upper Moon Two managed to dodge the attack.
"Hey now, listen until the end, this encounter is nothing short of a miracle." Doma said and then Inosuke received an x-slash across his chest. "So, about your mom, I had no intention of eating her. Having someone beautiful next to you feels pretty good, you know? She used to carry you and sing a lot, it was that pinky promise lullaby for some reason, pinky promise, pinky promise, that was all she sang to you."
Then Inosuke flashbacked the memories from her mom when he was a baby, the things were happy during the song but the happiness didn't last forever when his mother discovered that Doma is a demon before running into the forest before tossing the baby Inosuke to a river before being injured by the Upper Moon Two and in the present Inosuke was shocked.
"She got killed, my mother…" Inosuke said.
"So, I ate her to the bones, if she went home, she'd get beat by her husband and if she was by herself she would've ended up dead by the road with you since she's hopelessly pathetic. Kotoha was so unfortunate, there was a happy moment in her life, she had a pointless existence." Doma said as Inosuke could feel his blood boiling with fury.
"You murderer!" Cancer growled while the others were sharing their fury.
"The demon who killed my mother and barely killed my friends, is right before my eyes! Allow me to thank you for letting me remember, but I won't just cut your head off now!" Inosuke snarled before yelling. "I'll show what true hell is like!"
"Your backstory and your appearance brought me bitter memories about why we hate the evil nobles!" Aries shouted with fury.
"I will freeze and kill you slowly and painfully!" Alban yelled as he felt a blizzard surrounding him.
Then they fought against Doma with everything they had while Tanjiro and Caleb managed to arrive at the battle.
"We made it." Caleb said and sighed in relief that Shinobu wasn't absorbed by Doma, meaning that one fate was changed but also the others arrived in time.
"You guys! Thank goodness you're all alright. We were worried about you." Tanjiro said.
"Us too, but…" Alban said before they saw Shinobu and Aria in critical conditions, but also Shinobu's haori is covering Aria doing her best to comfort her.
"Aria! Shinobu! What happened?" Caleb asked in shock.
"We were fighting against Doma, I received a fatal cut... But also Aria sacrificed herself to save me." Shinobu said, doing her best in holding her composure.
"I cannot let her die, I cannot let Doma, the Upper Moon Two devour Shinobu, but I was so stupid in that desperate attempt…" Aria said, blaming herself but then her boyfriend put my hand on her forehead.
"Don't worry, you did your best, now take a rest and let the others take the rest." Caleb told my girlfriend Aria.
"I see... so Shinobu received a fatal cut and Aria sacrificed herself to save her. This is bad... but we're here now, we won't let Doma win." Tanjiro said, looking worried about their situation.
Then they saw Kanao, Inosuke, Seth and Flaremon fighting against the demon.
"Shinobu planned to be the sacrifice since her body has 37 liters of wisteria to weaken Doma after being devoured, but thanks to our arrival the things changed completely, right now we're trying to recover energy before fighting against Doma, but at the same time Doma told us that he was the one who killed Inosuke's mother, Kotoha, I already know that before Doma continued explaining the backstory and at the same time that explains why Inosuke was breed by a boar and also wears that boar's mask." Aries explained as Tanjiro listened carefully to the Multiverse Traveler.
"I see... So Shinobu planned to sacrifice herself for the others, but we arrived in time to change that. That's good. But now we're all low on energy and Doma is still a threat. And he killed Inosuke's mother... That's just cruel." Tanjiro said.
Then the group minus Shinobu and Aria joined the battle as Doma stopped attacking.
"Oh, look who decided to show up? Aren't you the boyfriend of Kanao, the Demon Slayer with Hanafuda earrings?" Doma asked Tanjiro who nodded in answer.
"Yes, I am. And I've come to stop you and protect my friends." He said.
"Just because you have a charming smile carved by the angels themselves, that doesn't hide your dark intentions." Seth told Doma as Tanjiro changed the subject about Inosuke's late mother as he speaks to Doma.
"You have no idea how wrong you are. My intentions are to protect the innocent and bring an end to demons like you. And about Inosuke's late mother... Tell us everything you know." He said.
"Oh, believe me she always had daily beatings by her husband, she had Inosuke when he was a baby, just one night she was running into a forest and tossed the baby Inosuke into a river for safety, if it hadn't been for me Inosuke wouldn't be as flexible and a talented swordsman as he is now, and as for Kotoha, her suffering was daily, and I finished her suffering." Doma explained to the group.
The group was disbelieved and angered at the same time.
"You say Kotoha suffered daily beatings from her husband... and she threw Inosuke into a river to save him? That's... unbelievable. And then you claim you ended her suffering? How can you justify your actions like that?" Tanjiro demanded.
"In reality, humans who live virtuously and decently suffer irrational tragedies. While evil people do what they want because they live insane, interesting lives and drink sweet nectar. Since these people are not getting divine punishment, at the very least they'll go to hell when they die. That's what mentally weak people have to think, or they wouldn't be able to live with themselves, right? They keep it deep in their minds. Humans are so pitiful." Doma said, expressing his hatred for humanity despite having that easygoing smile, while Aria grunted weakly and clinging to Shinobu not wanting to lose her best friend.
"You're nothing but an emotionless monster!" Assana angrily said while Tanjiro got frustrated..
"You say humans are so pitiful? That's rich coming from a demon. We humans may be flawed and struggle with the injustices in the world, but at least we have the capacity to empathize and care for one another. You may find humans pitiful, but I find your lack of compassion even more pitiful." Tanjiro said.
Shinobu also listened to Doma's words with a mixture of anger and disgust, his cold and dismissive attitude towards humanity made her blood boil, she held Aria closely, hearing the weak grunts and feeling her grip on her tighten.
"Don't listen to him, Aria." Shinobu said quietly, her voice firm and protective. "He's nothing but a psychopath with a deluded sense of superiority. You're strong, and you'll get through this."
"What about you? That monster injured the left side of your chest…" Aria was able to find her strength to speak, worried because the slash on Shinobu's left b*** which was caused by Doma and still having part of her uniform stained with her own blood.
At Aria's words, Shinobu's expression briefly flickered with a hint of sadness and concern, but she quickly regained her composure.
"Don't worry about me, sweetie. This is nothing." Shinobu said, trying to downplay her own injury, trying to sound casual and dismissive, not wanting Aria to worry about her when she was the one in critical condition, but deep down, Shinobu knew her wound was far from trivial.
Just then Seth stood protectively in front of Aria and Shinobu while glaring at Doma.
"I always thought you'd be a reasonable demon with that charismatic smile but all that I see is an undead being mentally insane who believes himself a deity, of you was pretending to save Shinobu from her suffering you're deadly wrong, I returned because she was waiting for me, I won't let you to take my butterfly girl away from me along with my sister, normally I feel sympathy for demons who have tragic lives, but I feel pity for you, Doma." Seth said, seemingly having a mental breakdown after hearing Doma's speech while Shinobu was speechless but she spoke in her thoughts while holding Seth's sister close to her.
Shinobu watched Seth stand protectively in front of her and Aria, his words filled with a mix of anger, determination, and sadness, even Aries along with Cancer, Assana and Sharp siblings surprised but at the same time relieved.
The Insect Pillar listened intently, feeling a mix of surprise and respect at his breakdown, but at the same time a pang of worry for him and in her thoughts, as she held Aria close, Shinobu couldn't help but reflect on Seth's words.
'He truly loves and cares for Aria, just like I care for him.' She thought and with that thought, a mix of gratitude and affection filled her heart.
"Brother…" Aria said quietly and Shinobu caressed her forehead now speaking to Aria, feeling concern but also cheering for his brother to win.
Tanjiro listens to Seth's words, feeling a mix of anger and pity towards Doma.
"You're right, Doma may have convinced himself that he's doing Shinobu a favor by eating her, but we all know it's just a twisted justification for his own desires. And Seth... I can understand your feelings, but please try to stay calm. We need to focus on the battle at hand." Tanjiro told him.
"Sorry, but after hearing the part of "ending suffering" said by Doma, it really means giving a fate worse than death, knowing what happened to Kotoha, and that makes me mad." Seth replied seriously and Caleb along with Tanjiro nodded understandingly.
"I understand your anger, Seth. What happened to Kotoha was terrible, and Doma's attempt to justify it is even worse. But we have to keep our heads clear if we want to take Doma down. The safety of everyone here depends on it." Tanjiro said.
"You both have great points, I can detect that Doma never shows true emotions." Caleb said.
"It's true." Aries said.
Now with Shinobu, she gently caressed Aria's forehead, trying to provide comfort and reassurance.
"Shh, it's okay." Shinobu whispered soothingly. "Your brother, boyfriend and friends have a strong spirit and he's fighting for you. Just focus on staying strong and breathing, okay?"
Her voice was soft and gentle, her worry for Aria only evident in her eyes.
"We have to win this one... Even still recovering... I still have someone very special waiting for me…" Aria explained to Shinobu, with the last part making Shinobu wonder with curiosity looking down at the young girl in her arms, her eyes full of questions.
"Someone special, huh?" Shinobu asked gently, her voice curious and sympathetic. "Who is it? A friend? A family member?"
"Come close." Aria said and Shinobu got her ear close to Aria's mouth before whispering. "My parents will go to adopt a boy who will be my new little brother."
Shinobu couldn't help but smile brightly before speaking quietly to her best friend and a small gasp of surprise slipped from her lips.
"Oh, that's wonderful news." Shinobu said quietly, her voice filled with genuine joy. "You're going to have a new little brother soon. How exciting!"
A warm smile tugged at the corners of her lips as she looked down at Aria, her heart feeling full at the thought of her friend's happiness, even Aria smiled sadly while still feeling Shinobu's hand caressing her cheek which seems comforting enough in this situation while Shinobu continued to caress Aria's cheek gently, her touch soft and soothing, she watched as Aria smiled sadly, feeling a mixture of sadness and concern for her friend.
"Just hold on a little longer." Shinobu whispered, her voice warm and reassuring. "We'll get through this together, I promise."
"Pinky promise." Aria said as she extended her pinky finger and Shinobu giggled quietly, still having her teenage girl inside.
Shinobu gently linked her pinky finger with Aria's, completing the pinky promise, a small chuckle escaped her lips at the childish gesture, and she couldn't help but feel a pang of nostalgia for their innocent days.
"Pinky promise." Shinobu repeated softly, her voice warm and playful. "We'll make it through this together, no matter what."
Now with the group, they kept fighting against Doma, only the Sharp siblings are fighting at close range while the others are avoiding to fight close range against Doma, but during the battle Doma launched his two fans like boomerangs with the two of them going towards Shinobu and Aria.
"Look out!" Lunamon shouted.
But suddenly Assana and Kanao jumped and they got stabbed by the two fans in their backs which started to bleed.
"Assana!" Alban gasped.
"Kanao!" Tanjiro gasped too.
Shinobu gasped in dread at her sight.
"How sad to see another sacrifice." Doma said as he dashed quickly to recover his fans but as the fans were removed, both Assana and Kanao felt more bleeding as the fans were pulled from their backs and before Tanjiro could react Caleb held firmly his shoulder with both hands.
"Remember what I told you about the ones who faced Muzan in the past, all of them died in desperate and wrathful attempts to avenge their families, so don't let the wrath overtake you and makes you lose the control of your movements, Kanao and Assana will go through this, I have faith in them." Caleb told him and he nodded before taking a deep breath as he tried to calm down but looked in concern at Kanao and Assana for their injuries.
"I understand. I have to keep my anger in check and not let it cloud my judgment. But it's hard to see my friends in pain like this. I know they'll make it, and I need to stay focused on the battle." Tanjiro said.
Then they resumed fighting while with Kanao and Assana.
"Kanao…?" Shinobu asked with concern to her little sister
"Assana…?" Aria asked with concern.
"Master…?" Kanao asked.
"Stop calling me master! I'm your sister…!" Shinobu replied with concern to Kanao.
But then they heard Seth being slammed against the wooden platform close to the water while Flaremon was slammed against the ceiling, Aria gasped quietly as tears were threatening to stream down but Shinobu held Aria tightly but without suffocating her, she watched in horror as Seth was forcefully slammed against the platform, her heart racing with worry and fear, she squeezed Aria tighter to comfort her and keep her safe, her own mind racing with anxiety and concern, her eyes flickered between Seth and Doma, her thoughts consumed with worry for her friend's safety and the desperate hope that he would be okay, but unaware to them, Seth motioned to stop the group but also motioned to Keith quietly who nodded.
"You've done admirably, only I consume women, however you could be the first man in my dinner." Doma said.
"I didn't need to defeat you, only distract you…" Seth said with a smug smile which confused Doma.
Just then, Keith fired an arrow infused with 50 liters of wisteria and other poisonous plants and stuck into Doma's flesh, in his back.
"Injected poison." Keith said with a grin of satisfaction as Aria and Shinobu turned to see Keith.
"Alright…" Aries said with relief.
"How delicious." Doma said as he felt the poisonous arrow on his back.
"Ugh…" Aria rolled her eyes in annoyment, also Shinobu couldn't help but share Aria's annoyance, watching as Doma seemed to find some twisted pleasure in the poison flowing through his body.
"He's truly insane." She muttered under her breath, her tone filled with both awe and disgust at Doma's seemingly unflinching nature even in the face of deadly poison while the rest of the group had dotted eyes in disbelief.
"Is he seriously enjoying the pain from the poison?" Tanjiro asked.
"He is definitely insane." Caleb said, referring to Doma.
"The poison will work eventually, meanwhile we have to keep fighting!" Keith said as he pulled his twin mini axes.
"You're right, the poison may slow him down, but we can't afford to let our guard down, let's keep up the fight and try to find an opportunity to strike back." Tanjiro said.
"Now let's kill him properly." Seth said as he and Flaremon recovered.
Just then Alban blew a frosty breath which froze Doma's left arm before being shattered by Seth who swung his Keyblade and Doma quickly moved however his left arm was slowly regenerating, Aria could feel relief despite the tears in the corner of her eyes but Shinobu wiped Aria's tears with her hand, her touch soothing and comforting.
"It's okay." She whispered softly, her voice filled with reassurance and encouragement. "We're winning. We're going to get through this."
"Sis… I'm sorry for not arriving in time…" Kanao said sadly.
"You don't need to apologize, even if we were attacked." Shinobu told her, with her voice a mix of weariness and determination. "Aria was injured on her side, and I... well, I received a nasty slash on my left b***."
However Assana's eyes threatened to stream tears before glaring with fury at Doma who was still fighting against the others and then she turned to see Shinobu, Kanao and Aria, still with tears of concern for her three friends.
"Normally Keith could heal you both, but right now he is fighting against that expressionless psycho demon...!" Assana said as her tears were streaming like a river and falling tears from her eyes.
Assana was close of Shinobu, while the blue-haired girl is hardly struggling against her tears along with sniffles and sobbings, she was angry, scared and deeply worried for her friends, but Shinobu managed to put Aria in the ground and then sat before she, Kanao and Assana were hugged by Shinobu, even the Insect Pillar has some tears clearly hearing Assana's sobbings which are unavoidable to feel bad for her, Shinobu's heart ached as she listened to Assana's words and felt her tears fall onto her shoulder she tightened her hold on the three, feeling a mixture of sympathy and protectiveness towards the younger girl, her own eyes filled with tears and she couldn't stop a few from falling down her cheeks, the four of them were sitting in the ground with a tight hug, the four girls clung to each other, even Lunamon joined the hug, their tears mingling together as they shared their emotions of worry, fear, and love for each other.
"Huh...?" Assana gasped quietly as she kept sobbing, clearly she is showing true emotions and has a pure heart, and sees Shinobu's tearful eyes, Assana blushed in shame because her crying made Shinobu cry a bit but Shinobu chuckled softly through her tears, shaking her head gently at Assana's reaction.
"Don't apologize for crying." She said gently, her voice thick with emotion. "It's okay to feel upset and worried, especially in a situation like this."
She reached up to wipe away a tear on Assana's cheeks, her touch soft and caring, Assana slowly turned to see Doma (unaware that the poison is working slowly and stronger) who is fighting against the heroes and watched back at Shinobu, Kanao and Aria.
"There's another way to heal you three, but also the whole group." Assana said and Shinobu with Aria and Kanao nodded slightly without saying a word.
"What do you have in mind?" Kanao asked.
*Transformation (Brother Bear)*
Then Assana sang quietly while closing her eyes and her tears kept streaming down and a rain started to appear above them, as Assana was singing she started to manifest a watery aura which then surrounded Aria and sighed as she felt the wound disappearing, the wounds in the backs of Kanao and Assana disappeared, even the rest of the team was healed, also Shinobu felt the watery aura which felt very soothing like she is taking herself a shower or swimming in the sea, she sighed deeply as she could feel the wound of her left side of her chest disappearing, also her left lung was healed, despite wearing her uniform she could the healing energy flowing across her soft skin of her whole body inside her uniform, even in her navel, she felt wishes of being in the hot springs or in the sea later after the battle against Muzan.
Shinobu has closed her eyes as the rain and watery aura surrounded her and Aria, a gasp escaped her lips as she felt the healing energy flowing through her body, soothing her wounds and restoring her strength, it was a strange but pleasant feeling, like being wrapped in a comforting, gentle embrace. For a moment, Shinobu allowed herself the brief pleasure of imagining the hot springs or the sea after the battle, longing for the chance to completely relax and unwind once this dangerous fight was over.
"It feels great? It's like swimming…" Aria said with closed eyes.
Shinobu chuckled softly, opening her eyes and nodding in agreement.
"Yes, it does feel great." She said, her voice filled with a sense of relief and contentment. "Like swimming in a soothing, healing sea."
Just then a watery aurora borealis appeared across the place while Doma was there confused but smiling at the spectacle, from the watery aurora borealis blue whales appeared singing, followed by orcas, dolphins and sea lions, then two grouper fishes, giant manta rays and followed by 3 mako sharks appearing too.
"Hold on to my tiara." Assana told Aria as she is showing the Ocean Tiara, Aria nodded before she held into the tiara, knowing that it could be the way to defeat Doma, then both girls glowed brightly and when the flash ended, there was a single girl at the same height of Kanae, her hair is long and blue, and wearing a light blue combat dress with dark blue boots for combat.
"It worked." The merged girl said with both the voices of Aria and Assana while Shinobu watched in awe, even the whole group was amazed from the surprise fusion.
Shinobu's eyes widened in wonder as she watched the transformation take place, the sight of the merged girl, combining the features and voices of both Aria and Assana, was unlike anything she had seen before, Shinobu couldn't help but feel a sense of amazement.
"Impressive!" She finally said, her voice filled with both surprise and admiration. "You two are something else."
"Yes, now we're one, and I'll finish the Upper Moon Two demon, you've done enough by winning enough time." The mixed girl said with the voice of Aria and Assana mixed to Shinobu, clearly the two-in-one are willing to kill Doma, the emotionless demon.
Shinobu watched as the mixed girl prepared to face off against Doma and her expression turned serious, a mix of worry and concern on her face, she knew Doma's strength firsthand, and the possibility of the mixed girl getting hurt or even killed by him was not lost on her.
"Be careful." Shinobu warned, her voice firm but filled with concern. "Doma may be emotionless, but he's incredibly powerful. Don't underestimate him."
"We know that, but thank you." The fused girl said with a reassuring smile as they went to face and the aurora borealis disappeared.
"I have to admit it was an amazing spectacle, now what's your name?" Doma asked the fused girl.
"My name is Assariana." The fused girl named Assariana as she summoned her Keyblade now having the hold from the dagger, the aqua whip attached to the right of the Keyblade's holding and the teeth of the Keyblade has the blade of her battle axe. "And we will defeat you."
"How sad that the spectacle was over." Doma said with crocodile tears.
"Yes, the spectacle is over." Caleb firmly said.
*Vs Malladus Part 3 (LOZ: Spirit Tracks)*
"Now we will defeat you in the name of all the people you killed in the past!" Assariana said.
"Did they…!?" Tanjiro asked in shock and amazement.
"Yes, Aria and Assana fused, also the healing rain healed us and gave us extra energy." Alban said.
The group went to fight against Doma while Shinobu was watching knowing that she did her part, even Lunamon Matrix Digivolved to Crescemon, the usual members of the group used their usual attacks while Assariana swung her Keyblade to lash the aqua whip and lashed Doma many times as possible before launching water arrowheads, also used Hydro Edge and Hydro Raid, the attacks of the fused girl are stronger and faster than Doma is barely having time to attack.
Shinobu stayed there watching, it is a miracle that her left lung was restored and the nasty cut in the left side of her chest was healed, however she cannot stop wondering that her body doesn't has enough muscle mass in comparison with the bodies of the group and the Hashiras, she then flashbacked when she and Kanae were having a normal life like the usual, caring and happy families, but said happiness didn't last forever when a demon killed their parents, their lives were over when the demon was trying to kill them but Gyomei Himejiwa appeared and killed the demon, after that the two sister promised that they will become Demon Slayers to protect the happiness from everyone in this world and also avoiding from this haunting experiences to happen at everyone else, remembering the way that how Mitsuri and Muichiro awakened their Demon Slayer Marks, some insects purple color appeared like tattoos on the right side of her face, meaning that she awoke her Demon Slayer, even if she doesn't has the enough strength to slice heads she will do her best during the battle.
"Dance of the Centipede: Hundred-Legged Zigzag!" Shinobu said as she performed her technique and trusted her sword with more strength and managed to push back Doma.
"Sis, you awoke your mark…!" Kanao said in awe.
"Maybe I have not the strength to slice his head, but I'll do my best." Shinobu said as she twirled her sword.
The group kept attacking Doma, damaging him a lot. Just before Doma could attack, his face started to melt and collapsed on his knees as his face was still melting.
"Finally…!" Keith M said with relief.
"Is this poison? It's melting me to my bones, it was from that arrow, but I didn't even sense that the poison could act in my body like that." Doma said, struggling is still battling.
"The poison I injected you with is slow-acting but very powerful." Keith M said as Doma jumped close to the door however he lost more strength to fight.
"Regenerate, heal yourself…" Doma said himself, doing his best to keep standing.
"He is getting away!" Tanjiro said.
"Not for long!" Scott T said.
"This is our chance!" Kanao shouted.
"Now face your death, you rotten freak!" Inosuke yelled as he jumped.
"Blood Demon Art: Cold White Princess!" Doma said as he created two female humanoids with ice.
"Very clever, but it won't save you!" Winter said as he created an icy hammer before slamming it against the giant icy statue shattering it into pieces.
"Together!" Magnamon Swordfighter told Crescemon who nodded before both of them use Sacred Sword to destroy the second icy statue.
"This is our chance!" Assariana told Kanao who then nodded ready to perform her more powerful attack.
"I know it is risky but it is the only way!" Kanao said before her eyes turned red. "Flower Breathing Final Form: Equinoctial Vermilion Eye!"
Said focusing technique that raises the user's kinetic vision to its maximum, while using this technique the user perceives the world as if it were in slow motion.
"Water Breathing Eleventh Form: Dead Calm, Tidal Waves!" Assariana said as she performed the technique. "This is it!"
Then both girls jumped and they landed their swords into Doma's neck with both forming a slicing x trying to decapitate Doma whose neck is still thick.
"We can do this, the giant ice statues were destroyed!" Assariana encouraged Kanao.
She nodded and with the strength of both they managed to decapitate Doma successfully.
*Ends*
Just after doing that Doma's head was falling down in shock.
"Huh? My head got cut off, I lost to a weakling and a merged girl, and even that poisonous arrow from that kid with the bow." The Upper Moon Two said as his head crashed on the wooden platform. "Ahhh, yep hopeless, I don't feel anything, I'm not afraid of dying, I don't feel annoyed at losing, I've always been this way, huh."
As Doma continued speaking after his defeat, Kanao was blind from one eye and her long black hair untied due her butterfly hairclip was broken during the battle, Cancer along with Aries and Alban reverted to their regular forms, also the Digimon reverted to their rookie forms, the Demon Slayer Mark of Shinobu disappeared and Assariana separated while reverting back into Aria and Assana.
"Now here's where Doma remembers his human past, it always happens after the defeat of every demon." Aries said.
Doma remembered when his mother killed his father and then her mother killed herself with poison, however the human Doma didn't feel sadness, then Muzan appeared to turn Doma into a demon when he was twenty and then back in the present.
"Oh, you finally died? Great." Shinobu told Doma with her usual smile.
"Fellas!" Doma said before laughing happily. "Listen, this is not the way I pictured it, but give me one more chance."
"No, you're not Doma, because you're just an emotionless demon." Cancer bitterly said.
"And after everything you have done." Alban replied rudely to Doma.
"You want a second chance?" Assana sassily asked.
"Yeah!" Doma said before adding. "Listen, just let me talk to Shinobu, then we can forget all this and let me declare my feelings for her. What do you say?"
"Ew, No! Seth, would you do the honors?" Shinobu asked.
"Gladly." Seth told her before seeing Doma's head. "The disadvantage of the bad guys is that they always lose at the end, and sadly for you, the butterfly girl already pollinated this flower, me, and if you really love her then let her go."
"Please, wait…" Doma tried to speak but Seth used his right foot to stomp Doma's head, vanishing for good.
"Phew, finally…" Caleb said with relief.
Shinobu let out a sigh of relief after Seth stomped on Doma's head, finally putting an end to the Upper Moon Two demon's reign, she couldn't help but smile at Seth's comment about her already being a 'taken flower'.
"Quite the metaphor, Seth." She teased, her voice filled with lighthearted humor. "I appreciate you defending my honor."
"We changed Shinobu's fate and defeated Doma." Aries sighed.
"You know guys, if the Zodiac Warriors and Elemental 10 haven't arrived here, if Shinobu had sacrificed herself to weaken Doma, I would have cut my own neck with my sword after the battle against Muzan." Seth told the group.
"What!?" The group said in shock.
"Wait, what? You would have killed yourself after the battle with Muzan?" Tanjiro asked in shock.
"Please don't say things like that." Shinobu said gently, her eyes filled with worry and care, also her heart sinking at the thought of him taking such drastic measures if things had played out differently. "We're here to support and protect each other, right?"
"Listen Tanjiro, since Aria and my parents died when we were little, we were adopted by different parents, however I didn't feel welcomed, I ran away from home and then I met Shinobu, that was how I found love and my life without her wouldn't be the same, my heart would never set ablaze if Shinobu has died, because people does crazy stuff when you're in love." Seth said before looking at Shinobu with concern. "And as for Shinobu, she could've died, my life would never be the same without you unless that I could awaken my Demon Slayer Mark and then after the battle wait until I am 25 and die with the effects of the mark to be finally with you in the afterlife."
"I know the death of Shinobu could be devastating, especially for Kanao, Aoi, Kiyo, Sumi and Naho but at the same time she could've been reunited with her family in heaven." Aries said.
"And also I could use my primal power to revive them." Keith said.
"I understand how you feel. Losing someone you love can be devastating. But don't think about killing yourself, Shinobu is here, she's safe. You two have each other, cherish that." Tanjiro said with concern and understanding.
Shinobu's heart ached as she listened to Seth's words, her eyes welling up with tears, the thought of him taking his own life, either out of grief or to be with her in the afterlife, was unbearable to her.
"And you can't talk like that. I'm here, I'm alive, and we're all going to get through this together. We have to." Shinobu said firmly, her voice shaking slightly.
"You're right, Tanjiro, but, it will be harder for me to let her go if she had died, therefore before arriving here I have to train harder during the while day without resting and luckily we saved her." Seth told Tanjiro before turning to see Shinobu. "I cannot still forget the nasty wound in your soft skin, even if it was healed, the blood in the left side of your chest in the uniform is still visible and without forgetting how my sister barely took your place. If I only could have a Demon Slayer Mark and die at 25, I could reunite with you in the afterlife and even be reborn someday together."
They could see that the reformed ally is still shaken from that memory as Aria lowered her head with sadness, Shinobu understood the sadness of both siblings and still had tears in her eyes.
"I understand how you feel, but killing yourself isn't a solution. It won't bring you back to her, and it would only cause pain for those who care about you. Shinobu would never want that. Live for her, cherish the time you have together." Tanjiro said, looking at Seth with a deep sense of sadness.
Shinobu's heart constricted as she watched Aria and Seth, feeling a wave of sadness wash over her, she gently placed her hand on Seth's shoulder, her touch tender and comforting.
"We've all been through a lot, and we've all been injured in one way or another." Shinobu said softly, her voice filled with empathy. "But we're still standing. We're still here, fighting together. That's what matters."
"Thank you." Seth said with relief.
"I know if it would have been hard for you to let her go if she had died. I understand your determination to train harder and stronger to protect her. But don't push yourself too hard. Take care of yourself too, okay?" Tanjiro told Seth.
"Yeah, thanks." Seth said before asking him with a teasing tone. "Do you feel capable of doing crazy things in love for Kanao?"
At the question, Tanjiro and Kanao blushed in embarrassment.
"W-what? Where did that come from? I.. uh.." Tanjiro stuttered a bit, unsure how to answer.
The rest of the group chuckled, enjoying watching Tanjiro and Kanao blushing, but rarely Inosuke was quiet.
*Missing You (Kingdom Hearts 2.5 Remix)*
"Inosuke." Inosuke heard the voice of his mother and then he started to stream tears in the present.
"Inosuke…" Cancer said, feeling bad for him.
"Mother…" Inosuke said sadly as he continued streaming tears.
Just then Kanao's blushing disappeared before grabbing the broken hairclip and looking down at it with sadness.
"I barely lost my sister, I can barely see my right eye." Kanao sadly whispered. "I only used it for a short time, so that's about it, the hair ornament that I received is broken, I'm sorry, sister, I'm sorry I couldn't cry at that time, I'm sorry I couldn't cry when Kanae died."
She remembered when she, along with Shinobu, Aoi and the triplet girls were close to Kanae's tomb.
"Everyone was crying, I didn't cry, I was very upset, I was sweating all over my body and no tears came out, but not one, no one blamed me." She continued whispering.
The scene showed how Shinobu with tears in her eyes hugged Kanao.
"Everyone was so kind… that's why I made a lot of excuse of my heart. If you cry, you'll be kicked, you'll be stepped on, being dragged around and submerged in water, if you don't watch the movement carefully, you'll hit a bad spot, there was several brothers half-unconscious the next morning, because I've been doing it for so long, because I've been trying not to cry, I couldn't cry all of a sudden… I'm sorry." Kanao continued whispering while Aries explained Kanao's past to the group due his multiverse's knowledge.
In Kanao's memories she remembered all the mistreatment from her so-called parents to her and her siblings before ending catatonic and being sold to slavery and then back to the present.
"I'm sorry, but I did it right this time, didn't I?" She asked before adding. "If you cherish your friends, just like your sister said, you helped me, I couldn't do it alone, but my friends came."
Inosuke continued streaming tears despite being strong in emotions but Cancer continued holding him closer and rubbing his back to comfort her while Keith M approached Kanao.
*Friends in my Heart (Kingdom Hearts 2.5 Remix)*
"Sis, drink this, it will heal your left eye." Keith softly said to her.
"Huh?" Kanao gasped in surprise but she nodded before drinking the elixir and then her left eye was healed.
"You don't have to worry for your so-called parents, they are arrested and since Pratum is now adopted by my family, that makes you a half-sister for my family." Keith M said with a sad smile, understanding her pain.
Just then, Aria approached to the left of Kanao while Assana approached to the right, but Shinobu and even Kanae are in front of Kanao.
"You did your best, Kanao." Shinobu and Kanae said.
Shinobu put her left hand on Kanao's head while Kanae did the same time but with her right hand, Kanao gasped at her sight, but at the same the Kocho sisters gasped as they saw the spirits from their parents too and close to them.
"We're proud of you two." The Kocho parents said before disappearing.
"Mom, dad…" Shinobu and Kanao said quietly.
Then they heard Kanao sobbing quietly before being able to cry freely, however Shinobu and Kanae hugged their little sister, they couldn't help but cry too, and then Aria and Assana hugged the three sisters while crying too, the rest of the group couldn't help but watch tearfully the scene.
"The scene was changed but it is still sad seeing this…" Aries said with tears in his eyes.
"I know that, the five of them are crying…" Cancer said before sniffling and still holding Inosuke.
"Kanao surely suffered a lot in the past…" Keith said with tears in his eyes.
"But unless she is finally free from the shadows of her past…" Alban said with tears in his eyes.
"Somehow I feel glad that Kanao is free of crying but…" Krisi said before crying heavily but Winter hugged his little sister to comfort her.
"Shh, it's alright." Winter said soothingly despite the tears in his eyes, then Alban joined to hug his sister while crying.
"Sister…" Seth spoke quietly with tears in his eyes.
"Just let it all out." Caleb said with tears in his eyes.
"It was a hard battle but it was worth winning after all." Scott T said.
Tanjiro watches the emotional scene unfold, tears welling up in his eyes as the kocho siblings reunite with their parents' spirits, and the group comes together to comfort and support each other, the members all teary-eyes are watching the emotional display and feeling a range of emotions themselves, Tanjiro takes in the sadness of the moment, but also feels a sense of relief and happiness that Kanao is finally able to cry freely and release her pain and trauma, he couldn't help but be deeply moved by the sight of the Kocho sisters finding peace and closure with the presence of their parents' spirits, even if they couldn't see them.
"Kanae and Shinobu... your parents are still here with you, watching over you and supporting you. I may not be able to see them, but I can feel their love and pride for you. Your pain and suffering will not define you any longer." Tanjiro said warmly.
Then Tanjiro stepped close to Kanao who cried a bit more as she hugged Tanjiro who is now a part of the group hug, he couldn't help but cry a bit too, while the others were watching, his emotions overcoming him as he shed tears along with the tearful group.
Shinobu and Kanao held their little sister close, feeling their bodies shudder with sobs against their own, Shinobu stroked her hair gently, offering comforting words in a soft, soothing tone.
"It's okay." She whispered, her mind was filled with a mixture of pain and relief as she comforted her sister . "You can let it all out."
"Shinobu…" Aria tried to speak but only heavy sobbing and sniffles escaped from her mouth, Assana was feeling the same too as Aria, Shinobu could understand both blue-haired girls, she nodded in understanding, her heart going out to Aria and Assana, who seemed to be struggling as well. She managed to get back her haori before reaching out and placed a hand on Aria's shoulder, offering a reassuring touch.
"It's alright." Shinobu said gently. "You can cry too. We're all here for each other."
*Ends*
And then after 5 minutes, the group calmed down.
"I think I overdid it with crying, because I was the first one and my sadness is very contagious." Aria said, blushing in shame before sniffling and hiccuping slightly.
Shinobu smiled gently, shaking her head.
"No, it's alright." She reassured her friend. "Sometimes we need to let our emotions out, and it's natural for others to feel the same way. You didn't overdo anything, we're all here for each other, to support and comfort each other through these difficult times."
"That also showed that you have a stronger heart." Kanae added.
"Is everyone alright?" Caleb asks and the group nods, including Kanao who sniffles and nods as well.
"Yeah, we're okay." Tanjiro says with a slight nod. "It was an emotional moment, but I think it was healing for all of us."
"Shinobu." Seth told her before opening a portal to the Butterfly Mansion by using her Twilight Wand. "Maybe you should return to the Butterfly Mansion, I know you did your best during the battle, but the next Upper Moon Demons could be stronger."
Shinobu nodded, reluctantly agreeing with Seth's suggestion.
"You're right." She admitted, her voice tinged with worry. "The Upper Moon Demons are dangerous, and we can't afford to underestimate them. But I can't help but feel anxious about leaving you all to face the danger without me."
Shinobu watched with concern and understanding that Seth's glance is very afraid of losing her specially in the battle against Doma if the group never made it in time or even losing one of her friends and she nodded, reluctantly agreeing with Seth's suggestion.
"We will be alright." Seth said before kissing her in the lips and she returned the kiss, both hugging each other, he could feel her chest and stomach against his, and after said kiss and hug, everyone was surprised but relieved at the scene while Shinobu was ready to return.
As Shinobu was feeling his body pressed against hers, a wave of mixed emotions washed over her like reluctance, worry, but also love and trust, and after the hug and kiss, she pulled back, a small smile on her lips.
"Be careful." She whispered, her voice filled with concern and affection.
"I will." Seth said and Shinobu nodded.
But then, as Shinobu held the butterfly clip in her hands, her thoughts flitted to Kanao, she smiled softly, knowing that her friend had been through so much, it was time for Kanao to have something nice too, she walked over to Kanao and spoke gently.
"Here, I have something for you." She said before handing the new butterfly clip to her.
"But…" Kanao tried to speak but Shinobu shushed her gently.
Shinobu placed a finger to her lips, silencing Kanao's protests, her expression was firm but kind.
"Shh, it's alright. This is for you." She said, gently pressing the butterfly clip into Kanao's hand. "You deserve to have something pretty, something that represents who you are, now strong and independent."
Then Kanao said no words before hugging Shinobu and accepting the butterfly hairclip. A warm, teary smile formed on Shinobu's face as Kanao hugged her, accepting the butterfly hairclip and she returned the embrace, wrapping her arms around her friend tightly.
"I'm so proud of you, Kanao." Shinobu murmured, her voice filled with emotion. "You've come such a long way, and I know you'll keep growing and thriving."
After ending the embrace, with a backward glance at her friends, Shinobu leapt through the portal back to the Butterfly Mansion. As she landed, she couldn't help but feel a mixture of relief and worry, she was glad to be back in the safety of the mansion, but her mind was still fixated on the others and the upcoming battle, as she made her way through the portal, Shinobu knew that this time, she was the one who needed to be taken care of.
"Someone had to take care of her this time." Seth said sincerely.
"You did the right thing protecting my sister, you're lucky to have met her." Kanae told Seth.
"Thanks, I had to do it, she always took care of the Demon Slayers who end up exhausted after the hardest battles against demons, even you, Zenitsu, Inosuke and even Nezuko was welcomed to the Butterfly Mansion, I felt like I wanted to return the favor." Seth again spoke sincerely while Kanao now has the butterfly clip of Shinobu, tied in her hair and feeling her sister close to her.
Tanjiro listens to Seth's explanation, understanding the reasons behind his actions and his desire to return the kindness that Shinobu has shown to others.
"I understand." Tanjiro says with a soft smile. "Shinobu has always been a source of comfort and care for many who have fought demons, and it's only natural to want to return that favor in some way."
He glances over at Kanao who now wears the butterfly clip, a tangible reminder of Shinobu's presence, generosity and love.
"Some things are replaceable but others are not." Caleb said, referring to the broken butterfly hairclip and also referring to Shinobu who is non-replaceable.
"You're right." Tanjiro nods in agreement. "Some things can be replaced, but others are truly irreplaceable. The butterfly hair clip was broken, but it held value and meaning for Shinobu and Kanao."
He thinks for a moment, contemplating the deeper implications of his words.
"Shinobu is not replaceable either. She has touched so many lives with her kindness, generosity and courage. Her impact on all of us cannot be replicated or easily replaced." He added.
"You must keep going, Tanjiro." Inosuke was able to speak, finally remembering Tanjiro's name after misspelling it many times, the first time hearing Gonpachiro Kamaboko. "Later we will reach you."
Tanjiro chuckles lightly at Inosuke's attempt to remember his name correctly, happy to hear it finally pronounced correctly.
"Haha, thank you Inosuke. You got it right this time." He chuckled a bit before nodding firmly, determined to keep going. "You're right, we have to keep going. And I trust that we will reunite later."
"We still have to search for other Upper Moon and Dark Clone demons." Caleb told the group.
"Good luck, Caleb." Aria said before kissing him in the cheek.
"You too, Veemon." Lunamon said before kissing the dark blue Veemon on the cheek too.
"Thank you." Caleb and his Digimon partner nodded while the shiny Mew couldn't help but giggle.
Then Tanjiro and Caleb with his two partners continued venturing across the fortress and meanwhile far from them Eternal is seeing the situation.
"One fate was changed from the original one, now the team has to continue but at the same they will need more reinforcements." Eternal said before seeing projections of new children who are Haru Shinkai with Gatchmon, Eri Karan with Dokamon, Asuka Torajirou with Musimon, Rei Katsura with Hackermon, Hiro Amanokawa with Gammamon, Ruli Tsukiyono with Angoramon and Kiyoshiro Higashimitarai with Jellymon. "They will need the possible help to defeat Muzan Kibutsuji once and for all."
(Butterfly Mansion)
Meanwhile in the Butterfly Mansion, Shinobu is sleeping in her bed and dreaming with her parents. She was feeling happy in said dream while outside, Shinobu had tears in the corners of her eyes as she lay in bed, the happiness from her dream gave way to a tinge of sadness, longing for the days when her family was together and whole.
(Underworld)
Now there. in the underworld of the Zodiac Warriors; Kyogo and Doma are in the underworld being judged by Inazami and Hades.
"Kyogo Shinazugawa, for your crimes of domineering your family, beating your children, wife, even everyone in the town, also accepting to become a demon to betray humanity and attempting to kill your family again." Hades told the crimes to Kyogo who spat at him, showing no regret for his crimes.
"I refuse to be alone in hell, I won't let that crappy family be still alive and happy without me, I will never rest!" Kyogo shouted, showing no fear.
"Silence!" Hades silenced him. "Since you show no regret for your crimes, you'll be sentenced in the Ammit forever, and to make sure that you don't control Shizu or even hit your biological children when they die, they'll be in heaven while you'll be alone and you'll never be reborn!"
Kyogo was shocked but more angry.
"You can't do this to me!" Kyogo said as he lunged angrily at Hades but only to be restrained by underworld chains stabbing his back and pulling him. "I swear I'll make you pay! I will make those children pay! Somehow I'll escape from this filthy place!"
Doma just stood there quietly without saying words.
"Now Doma, for your crimes of bringing salvation to women to end their painful lives but as an excuse to devour them, even murdering Kotoha Hashibira, thousands of women and the Kocho sisters, Kanae being killed by you but even revived you left a deep damage and you tried to kill Shinobu to cause more damage, you attempted to kill part of the heroes, and also in your past you never showed sympathy to people in your human life." Inazumi told him strictly. "What do you have to say in your defense?"
"I have no words for my crimes because I feel no real emotions, not even regrets for my crimes and not fear of my punishment, only I could feel real emotions when I was decapitated. I wanted to express my feelings for Shinobu but I had to let her go, just bring me to hell and far away from my parents." Doma simply said.
"Very well." Hades agreed.
Then a hatch opened below Doma as he fell into the flames of hell to burn there. Apparently very few villains accept their punishments in the afterlife while most of them refuse to accept their punishments showing that they are far away from redemption and happiness too but at the end they receive the worst punishments.
Finally, for sad scenes, Aria was the one who barely took Shinobu's place during the sacrifice with Green Bird (from Cowboy Bebop), also the strong friendship of Aria and Shinobu, a sad hug between Shinobu, Aria, Lunamon, Kanao and Assana, even at the aftermath of the battle Inosuke was crying because the memories of his late mother, for Kanao even if Shinobu is alive she couldn't stop remembering her past before being hugged by Shinobu and Kanae (both of them alive), Aria and Assana joined the hug and the five of them cried while the group was touched by the scene, even Tanjiro joined and let out his emotions while hugging Kanao.
And as forshadowing moments: Kibou will appear in Academy of the Universe but as an orphan just like Caeli (wanting for both to appear there) with their Digimon partners Luxmon and Floramon appearing too, and also the Appli-Destined and Ghost Gamer Digidestined groups will appear in celebration of 1st August day.