Notes

I suppose an introduction for Creature(the demon) should be nice as there won't be much said of him until waaaay later.

They are a rather weak demon whose blood demon art was influenced in its creation by his own desire and nature as a person.

The only way for it to activate it's to die and it spreads only to individuals that can be considered stronger than it.

They can't feel, see, hear, sense anything when it is active save for said individuals it can spread through.

What it does…well that's for you to find out.

—START—

-3rd Person POV-

"You have your instructions" a voice inside their head echoed, the master's whose blood drove him forward and gave them power had tasked them with something important.

A way to cripple the Demon Slayer Corp.

This was their opportunity, if he succeeded the Lord would grant him more of his blood, maybe enough to become a lower moon, from there on out, they would have all eternity to increase their strength to overtake one of the Upper Ranks.

Although he saw no value in rank.

"Your will shall be done" The demon made sounds that could be heard like voices, but didn't talk, they didn't have a mouth after all.

They weren't one to follow human physiology and anatomy after all, the sea provided much more interesting and beautiful creatures to replicate.

Jellyfish were one such creatures, with bodies so fragile yet almost immortal by being one with their environment.

They imitated them, long and thin strands of hair that were a dim while color, always glowing save for when they desired.

The hands once bearing five fingers were more akin to iron threads, sharp and durable.

The only thing that remained from their time as a mortal was the main body and legs, but one day when they grow enough in strength that shell of disgusting humanity would be gone finally.

And all they would be is essence, flowing through the world like jellyfish on the sea.

They desired that kind of existence, but not through water, no, something more profound, immortality through memories.

Becoming unattached to the flesh and flowing through the mind much like how the master was connected to all of them.

They didn't care for their physical being unlike any other demon, as such a rank was inherently pointless to them and maybe this was why this mission was entrusted to them.

Because there was no other like them, one who's body didn't truly matter.

And there was already a plan in motion.

After careful days of investigation they had found a place where a Hashira apparently resided, a normal looking village was the place of residence of one of their worst enemies? How could they not see this before.

Then all they had to do was wait until they saw crows in the sky, from then on, it would all be coming together.

And hour of night passed, then another, and it was only after the third that the bird was seen from the sky.

They came out, jumping from the nearby fauna to the streets, ready for what's to come. (It is time) their presence would be noticed in an instant, they accounted for that, and was a part of their strategy.

Footsteps approached fast, the demon could hear the blade singing it's beautiful melody as it cut the air, they extended their limbs outwards.

And their head was gone from their shoulders, the sword unrelenting and crackling like a fire.

The Flame Hashira Rengoku Kyojuro had just signed his own undoing. "Dear oh, dear" they began to fade, but not crumbling to dust. "Let us see which is your worst Mr. Hashira" they smiled with their eyes as all turned to nothing.

Their essence now going to the man, inside their soul to bide their time until it was time. (finally)

The creature disintegrated once it's head was gone.

Kyojuro let a breath of relief escape him once he confirmed that. (It came out of nowhere, it is good I was returning home) A lot of people could have died on the contraire.

And the Hashira wasn't sure if his father would have picked up a blade to kill it if it came to it.

With the creature dispatched, Rengoku continued on his way, this return home was just a pit stop for him to head to Oyakata-sama's state, there was a meeting stated for tomorrow.

There was something strange about this case, it was nagging him, why did it simply allowed itself to die. (There was no remorse in that expression either) This definitively wasn't normal.

Neither were their words.

Nevertheless it was dead and could not harm anyone, so Kyojuro simply decided to continue on his way.

A faint laugh echoed in that place.

The meeting had been nothing like the Hashira thought it would have been.

Tomioka choosing to defend a demon.

Shinazugawa's obvious reaction to it and trying to do their job and kill it.

And maybe the most interesting pieces of it all, the siblings themselves.

The brother, Kamado if he remembers correctly, tried to convinced them the demon was harmless, that she would not hurt anyone.

Clearly they wouldn't just believe that, and that's when the demon girl proved she was capable of resisting, denying Shinazugawa's blood, which was the most rare type there was.

It was a roller coaster of surprises for sure, and it ended with the pardoning of the Kamados as long as the sister continues with her way of not harming humans.

A decision many of them couldn't really agree with.

They soon moved to the inside of the Ubuyashiki state, getting some other slayers to give insight into the Mount Natagumo situation and other major demon related events of recent time.

Either big nest of demons that conglomerated or maybe it was a notice of major disappearance.

Any news that meant something was taken into consideration.

They continued until the end of the day.

Kagaya Ubuyashiki left the room not long after the official end, his frail body needed to be kept resting as much as possible so only the essentials were discussed in their presence.

"If this is all" Tomioka went about doing his usual move of leaving just once the meeting ends.

"Tomioka, stay" when usually Sanemi or Obanai were those that failed to get him to stay with their 'unpleasant' words, it was Gyomei who tried this time around. "Sit back down please"

And to his credit, it worked perfectly, due to his word being the most respected out of all of them, his order was taken seriously by the water Hashira and he sat.

"What transpired today is a choice you made, and the consequences are in front of you" the giant man added. "Carry them with your head held high" It was not encouragement what he gave, but simply stating that he made a choice.

So he should abide by it.

"You can't be seriously accepting this" Iguro questioned the man, as this was indirectly a confirmation that he would not do anything about the siblings.

Tengen scoffed. "Himejima's just following Oyakata-sama's request, as will the rest of us" he wasn't going to go against his words, and he was aware they wouldn't either.

They were also taken aback by the situation so they would trust the patron on this case.

During the conversation, which revolved mostly about how stupid leaving a demon alive was, Kyojuro slowly began to feel nauseous, his vision blurring slowly.

It wasn't something that would go unnoticed either. "Kyojuro, buddy you alright?" Tengan placed a hand on his shoulder worried for him.

Without anyone feeling it, something flowed between the two.

"I seem to be feeling rather dizzy, but do not worry much my friend" In his usual manner the man smiled at the others.

However such a sudden rection was bound to bring worry and everyone moved slightly closer to the man.

A hand on his forehead, Shinobu was looking out for his temperature. "You don't seem to have a fever, is there anything else?" she asked him, trying to get more information.

Another flow passed through.

"Everything looks blurry" his voice was much lower than anyone ever heard him, and soon Rengoku would not be answering.

As he passed out right there, his breathing still as concentrated as ever.

"The fuck!?" Sanemi was the most vocal with his reaction, grabbing Tengen and pushing him down so he could see better what had happened. "Kocho, is he alright?"

It kept spreading.

"Yes, don't worry it would seem like he's passed out" She fidgeted with the man some more, checking his breathing, pulse and for any other possible symptoms of whatever had struck him down. "I can't really determine much, but he just appears to be sleeping for now"

"Should we take him to the butterfly mansion!" Mitsuri was getting more altered by the second, her teacher had just fallen out of nowhere and nobody knew why.

Obanai got close to her, enough for her to grab unto his haori with one hand in comfort, with the other gently laying it over her master's in a sign of worry.

Two more were victims now.

Tokito hadn't really moved much, only looking neutral to the event, but he was curious enough to get close and look, and with how close everyone else was, it was inevitable that he too would come into contact with someone.

Something as small Sanemi accidentally using him as a place to lean on continued the spread.

Gyomei had much of the same issue, specially with his height, and ended up bumping shoulders with Uzui as he retreated back, who gave him a. "Sorry man"

And then there was one.

Tomioka made sure to keep his distance in all situations, this was not an exception.

"Can someone please bring a moistened towel or cloth? I'd rather not take any chances with whatever is happening" Of course, the second Kocho asked for help and at the same time give him an excuse to leave this crowded space.

Giyuu would take it. "I'll go" he got up and left fast without giving anyone time to object.

It's not like they would berate him for going to do something that will be helpful for their comrade, but Sanemi had to hold his tongue not to say anything mean about it.

"Oh, wow" it didn't take too long for Uzui and Kocho to begin feeling the effects too. "Guys I think it's spreading"

Not long after, Kocho began to feel it too. "This, this isn't natural" It couldn't be, without warning nor other symptoms the effects she was having shouldn't be a thing.

They tumbled with their own foots and were caught by another of the Hashiras.

"Kocho!" loosing the only medic would be detrimental, but there was little to be done, as Sanemi was next.

Then Mitsuri and Obanai.

Soon all of them would fall unconscious.

Muichiro for the first time found himself completely lost in what to do, something had happened to them and he was probably next.

It was then that the door was opened, Giyuu entering with the asked cloth.

"Tomioka" Gyomei spoke after hearing him and as the man noticed all other on the floor.

Tokito was sitting down already under the influence, his face expressing how he felt as whatever was happening took effect.

"What?" He wasn't even gone for five minutes, this was unprecedented. "Tokito, Gyomei"

It was the most emotion the strongest Hashira had ever heard from the man, but there was something he should know. "Tomioka, don't touch anyone" He warned…

…A little too late, as he was helping Muichiro lay back.

"Oh" that was an oversight.

They couldn't exchange more words as the man too was affected beyond return and had hit the floor, completely out.

So Tomioka did the only thing he could. "Kanzaburo!" he shouted to the outside. "Bring a Kakushi, anyone here" it wouldn't be long before he falls under the effect of whatever was occurring so he'd do what he can.

After that he went over to everyone, taking them but the shoulders and aligning them in a better way than all piled together, sometimes using their own haori's to support their heads.

(Is this how it feels?) he was soon affected too.

And not long after, his consciousness vanished as well.

The world was white.

All color had vanished the moment they became memories, entering the man who beheaded them, a perfect infiltration.

The slayers may have evolved as time went on, developing medicines to counteract some blood demon arts, improved their breathing techniques that made any regular demon in front of a proficient used lose and die.

Not to mention that uncanny sense they developed, warning them of any demonic presence.

But even after all this time in the eternal battle had a demon like them ever been born.

One who blended the like between a memory and reality, who trapped them inside their own minds.

This was their domain, their realm to play with as blood was no longer a restriction.

It was at that moment that they felt it, eight other presences as intense as the one he was in, some slightly stronger, some slightly weaker.

The Hashira's had been found, there was no way it couldn't be them.

One red orb began floating as he forced his inside influence, pulling the man's consciousness to the inside.

Oh those fools from outside, they all entered into contact with the demon's carrier, allowing him to spread to every single one of them.

Going from one bubble to nine interconnected bubbles form in this empty space each a path, a relationship, a bond.

A weakness to exploit.

But that could wait, first they needed to understand there people, get to know their best and their worst, so that Creation could simply make them drown in their own worse nightmares.

Yes, this way Lord Muzan would recognize their incredible power and be rewarded with more blood, only then they would be able to attain the truth they seek.

As such, they began to work, crafting one cage after another in this empty place, all for their dear involuntary guests.

"Let us begin then"

A child stirred in its sleep.

It was an agitated movement that showed his sleep wasn't peaceful at all.

The child continued turning for a few minutes, up until he woke up screaming. "Mitsuri!" His voice came out really high, a result from panic and yet it was still much higher than he remembered being.

(I…am awake?) he was no longer feeling dizzy, although his eyes were still somewhat blurry. (What happened? )seeing the others crash to the ground worried him, all of that had come out of nowhere.

Iguro had done so too, just after Mitsuri and for no apparent reason. (urgh, this doesn't make sense, and why do I feel so weak?) he questioned himself, as he rubbed his eyes trying to regain his senses.

His muscles ached, but not the same way when on is tired or exercised. "I feel weird" there it was again.

He sounded too childish, his mouth didn't itch like it usually did, bending his arms was sluggish, his breathing was all over the place, not using total concentration constant, and even his hands over his face felt strange.

With practiced control Iguro began to breathe, in the form he'd been taught…it was costly, not natural and his body tried to reject it.

(Akc! The hell Is happening?! I should be used to this!) his way of doing so was perfect, but the strain put on the body was felt more than he had ever done so before.

From then he stopped rubbing his eyes, then Iguro finally looked around…

…And froze on the spot.

(No…No, no, no, no!) his breath hitched, the wooden bars, the patterns on the walls. (But…this can't be?!) his panic only increased, all semblance of serenity he displayed gone as the world around him was like this.

Iguro looked at his hands, as small as they had been once, his mask was missing, there was no Nichirin blade in his belt either.

Obanai touched where his mask should be…and he couldn't feel the mark on his face that should have forever carved unto him.

The scar was gone…and maybe the worst of all, Kaburamaru was missing.

He looked around frantically, trying to process his situation. "What the hell…is this?" he asked loudly, this had to be a nightmare.

"OI, shut it" a kick in the cell's door distracted him momentarily, a person was standing there in front of it. "breakfast is here"

She left a small stool, in it was a bento like plate with many different foods.

This was face he never thought would appear to him again, one that haunted his dreams ever so often, and was there waiting for a reaction. (…M-Mother…) her long black hair, and blue eyes much like one of his.

A staple of the clan.

There was a brief period of silence as he acknowledged her presence. "Keep quiet, Clan Leader Orochi likes the sun hours to be in silence" there was something in her eyes, maybe his attitude got her attention.

It didn't matter anyways.

She left not long after that, not bothering to say anything else to him, why would she get attached with cattle left to fatten and die.

It's not like he would have cared to have a conversation with her. (Why am I here…I was sure I escaped) the distraction his mother brought didn't last for long, as his own mind returned to the situation at hand. (I am still a child)

At the very least his body was.

(…was it all a dream…?) The countless hours of training, his development of the serpent breathing, living with the Rengoku family for some time.

Every demon he killed, every live saved.

Meeting Mitsuri.

(Was that all just, false?) Iguro felt hopeless, trapped and on the verge of crying, something he'd refrained from doing since long ago. (No, no, it can't be…it surely can't)

He continued pacing around the room, muttering things to himself as to try to keep calm.

Yet all around him brought horrid memories he'd rather leave behind, so it wasn't working at all.

These memories of a complex full of people he was responsible for their deaths, his sin as he liked to refer to it, all of them because of him …or they should have been if this didn't contradict everything Obanai thought was real.

"I should be better composed than this, I am trained to be better than this" a mantra, he tried to repeat it all like on, not willing to part with the idea of his life being false. (how would I even know if it was? How did I even end up here?!)

His panic was settling, and anger quickly began to boil inside.

Obanai had made sure no remnant of this place remained, burning the compound to the ground a few years after completing his training, or he thought he did, combining that with his current physical age showed that the most possible thing is that it was all a dream.

But how could it explain all real knowledge he had seen on it, names he'd never heard or face he's never seen, beside, dreams tended to be mostly forgotten when one awoke and to cover so many years second by second would be impossible for him to just imagine.

As someone who tried to learn about dreams due to his nightmares, Obanai knew that what happened could not have been one. (Yeah, logically speaking this whole place just doesn't make sense)

At the end of the day, he could do nothing, there was no way to confirm anything, and his basic knowledge of dreams may just be wrong and his brain is trying to cling unto that life.

So he stopped, deciding to eat despite not being really hungry, the more energy he has, the more he'd last if he tries to run away againwould come in handy. (I can taste…actually) he started to make pressure on his hand with one of the chopsticks, until it hurt. "Pain…I can still feel it"

He was forced to stop and begin to put up an act in front of each visitor he got, either brining him more food of some sort, or just passing by him, not sparing even pity.

There was one that came outside his cell that was not who he expected…Because it had been something that had only happened once.

"Look at you, more active than ever I see" Orochi, the disgusting demon that had the family under control for at least a hundred years had come. "And you ate your food this time, good" the monster smiled at him, her snake like tongue went over her lips as she observed him.

He knew what would happen in the following moments, he had lived this before.

This was a day he considered to be the worst in his life…the one who's nightmares still plagued him.

"Take him out" Two other clan members entered the room at her commands. "Guide him to my chamber"

This would be the day where his tainted blood would be spilled in a cup for the creature to enjoy…and his face to be covered by a mask moving forward.

They dragged her down the halls, no matter how much he kicked and trashed, it didn't matter.

He felt disgusted, their touch, his skin being in contact with theirs…when was the last time he came into contact with a woman that was not Mitsuri…how could he forget.

How horrible it made him feel.

There wasn't much time for reflection however, not when Orochi followed from behind, hitting him with her tail in the back forcing him to stop.

It didn't pierce his skin, but he definitively felt that. (Curse this body) he was powerless again, it was the worst, more so knowing what was coming next.

The demon sat on her makeshift throne of cushions and skulls.

"Oh mighty Clan Leader" once again, his mother came to the scene, calling for the demons attention. "What shall we do"

(What…this is wrong…I- mother was not here for this) was he wrong, did he simply imagine this in a dream due to knowing how they'd act?

"thi,thi,thi" Orochi laughed, a cruel smile extended on her face, and Obanai could see it in her face, the idea forming. "It is a shame your bloodline was cursed with a male [_], in order to appease me I declare his face to be made in my image"

She slit her finger through her face, the indication was unnecessary yet something she enjoyed. "cut open his face, make it look like mine"

"No drop of blood should be wasted of course" the last was a warning, one person would die for each missed blood.

It was normal for their clan, for generations serving this beast, feeding her every newborn she deemed to be unfit to live.

Killing any member who went against her, and sometimes just for fun.

And Obanai was the entertainment today, as they held his face over an empty cup of sake, and drove a knife deep into his cheek.

Obanai didn't scream, there was little to no sound made. (No…I won't give you…that satisfaction.) little tears formed in his eyes from the pain, his body answering for him.

And the worst part was coming.

They began to move the knife, slowly reaching his mouth as they teared through his face.

One part down, blood poured from his mouth as he attempted to struggle out of their hold.

He hated this.

SO, SO MUCH.

Why did he bother feeling bad for them, considering their deaths a sin. They were all traitors to humanity that vowed to this creature.

He hated them, all of them…

…But what would Mitsuri think of him desiring so much pain for others…

He stopped once their grip tightened going faster with the blade to his other cheek, Iguro braced for it.

And there it was, the familiar scar he has had for so many years was back on his face.

They kept Iguro in place until the cup was full, tying a bandage over his mouth to stop the rest of the bleeding.

"Oh, yes" Orochi was more than pleased. "take him back to his quarters he'll need rest to recover" the blood was brought to her, and she began to drink it like if it was sake.

"We'll see each other again the day of the feast my precious main dish" was her goodbye by her.

And for once, Iguro couldn't help but be glad to be in his cell. (this…I really need to leave) there was never a choice not to do so if he wanted to survive.

Personal feeling didn't matter at this moment, no matter how much his hands trembled, no matter how big his desire to break down was.

Iguro would not give up on the hope that the world he knew was real…and if it wasn't, he'd hope to find something similar here.

So he began as it happened long ago in his mind, digging a hole through his 'room' Iguro could find answers when his life wasn't in danger.

"How strange…I placed him in his worst memory" Creature observed from a tree outside of the house. "And yet he has the strength to continue"

"not only that, but he caught on quickly…I need to make sure they don't notice what's happening" They disappeared into nothingness, this one had shown resilience in front of his own nightmares.

From his view over all of their consciousnesses he picked another, this time he would influence it, that way he'd ensure the next one would never know what happened, and from then on, he'd have free reign over them.

It was like blinking.

A second ago she was on the floor, her brain hurt as she lost consciousness beside the others.

Then just a moment later, she is standing up in a completely different place, the pain gone.

Her vision felt the shift from the partial light of the patron's manor to an incredibly sunny day outside. (Ah, Where?!) something which was a cause for concerns.

Mitsuri's eyes took a moment to work properly after being flashed, but once they did, she could perfectly tell where she was.

Standing on a bridge, a familiar one.

She looked around panicked, just a second ago Kanroji was in Ubuyashiki's home, with her comrades, and now she was back home.

This was her hometown…she was home.

"Honestly, you truly believe that anyone would love you?" Her distress was interrupted as a familiar voice spoke some very familiar words. "You're an eyesore, and don't have real value as a bride"

…

(why…why am I here again?) Those harsh words, why did she have to hear them again.

Her mind wanted to ignore that, focus on the actual problem of this being something that happened already a long time ago.

Maybe this was just a nightmare, one she had when she fell asleep and that was it.

Yeah, she could control this place, it was a dream. (just disappear, bring everyone…and, and we're all eating together and, and…) nothing was changing, her mind tried and tried but not a single thing moved.

This was not her imagination. "Just leave, save people the trouble of having to look at you and never leave your home" The man's words only cut deep as tears began to fall down her face.

So she did the same thing that happened last time, Mitsuri ran.

She was slower, way slower than she intended to be, her breathing was much harder to keep under control.

It didn't matter, not right now, not when people all around turned to look at her, whispering, Kanroji could hear them talking among themselves.

It took her a while to arrive to her home, and luckily for her, her siblings weren't around to see her like this.

Her father however, he was there for her. "Mitsuri sweety" She was safe here, no one would judge her here.

They hugged as the girl cried about what happened, even with this being the second time she's heard this, it didn't make it better.

"I'm sorry he said that to you dear, I understand how upset that must make you" there was an underlying tone to his words, even as he comforted her.

She ignored it in favor of simply enjoying passing time with him.

The day continued like any other, her mother returned with the kids, they all ate together, spending time like they hadn't done so since she became a demon slayer.

Slowly but surely, the pain of that meeting was fading, how could it not with a family as wonderful as hers.

Wait, a demon slayer…? It hit Mitsuri all of a sudden, as lost as she was in the events that it passed through her what had happened.

(EHH?! How am I here?) finally she caught up to it, right before going to bed.

Whatever happened to Rengoku also afflicted her, they all were probably, and now she was home, years before beginning her demon slaying career.

Everything about demons, always just absurd, the existence of creatures that burned in the sun and had incredible power didn't make much sense.

But Mitsuri had seen them…fought them.

But was any of that real, now that she stood here in her house once more, younger than before.

She needed answers, and she knew where to get those.

Tomorrow morning she would head to where she remembered the Rengoku state was, they had been a family that lived of demon slaying, if they knew anything it would be them.

With that idea, the girl went to bed, not aware of the watcher that stoon on the rood of her home.

(Good, now I know what I can do to make her believe) they would enjoy toying with this one, unlike some of the others she was emotional, vulnerable.

Didn't have that shell of numbness the other's memories had, and why would it not be.

If this was her worst memory.

(I can let this one continue on its own, maybe the others will provide more entertainment)

—END—