The wind blew as Nezuko stood still, her body was tense, waiting for a response.
But the two masked ghosts moved in unison, their blades raised and aimed toward her with precision.
Without a word, the boy lunged again, his weapon flashing in the moonlight. Nezuko ducked, her body reacting more from instinct than training.
The strike missed her by inches, slicing cleanly through a branch behind her.
"Wait—!" she cried, springing back. "Please! I'm not your enemy!"
But the girl spirit was already upon her, blade slicing toward her chest.
Nezuko raised her arms just in time—CLANG! Sparks flew as steel met her demon-enhanced claws. Her feet skidded across the dirt, pushed back by the force.
The girl's half-covered face remained cold and unreadable.
"No more words from you, demon," the boy said sharply, stepping in from the side. "You're deceiving us. Like all your kind."
He swung his blade down hard—Nezuko leapt aside, but not fast enough. The strike grazed her shoulder, tearing through flesh and bone.
"Ah—!" she winced, stumbling back.
Her injury began to close, releasing a faint steam. She gritted her teeth through the pain. Blood stained her kimono, but her eyes remained steady.
"I'm not lying," she said, steadying her stance. "I don't want to fight you—or harm anybody."
But they weren't listening.
They moved with practiced grace. The boy slashed downward while the girl came in from the side.
Nezuko jumped, twisting mid-air to dodge both strikes. Her heel landed against the boy's chest—he flew back, vanishing into the mist.
The girl caught Nezuko's leg mid-air and threw her to the ground with force. The earth cracked beneath her.
"Ugh!" Nezuko gasped, a cloud of dust rising around her.
She lay still for a second, blinking. Her body ached.
'They're not holding back. They want me dead, just because I'm a demon.'
And yet—Nezuko didn't feel anger toward them. Hurt, yes. But no hatred.
Maybe they were just scared. She would prove to them that not all demons are enemies.
---
She pushed herself to her feet again. Her healing was slower now. Her energy was fading.
She'd been conserving her strength ever since Muzan turned her. She hadn't eaten anything since that night.
"Please, listen to me!" she called. "I really came to talk, that's all!"
The spirits ignored her plea and appeared again—both at once, attacking from opposite sides in flawless rhythm.
Their movements were like a dance practiced endlessly.
But this time, Nezuko didn't run. She raised her arms and met them directly.
CLANG!
Her claws met the girl's blade, pushing her back. The boy followed—Nezuko ducked, then jumped forward, driving her shoulder into his chest.
He staggered—but remained standing. They both circled her again.
"You keep saying you're here to talk," the girl finally said. "But you're getting weaker. When your hunger grows, you'll turn on us."
Nezuko's eyes widened, then softened.
"No matter what happens, I won't harm you. I won't hurt anyone."
The boy scoffed. "Do you think saying that makes you noble? Is that your idea of redemption?"
"No," she replied simply. "I'm just telling the truth. I don't want to harm humans. I believe we can live in peace."
---
The next exchange was relentless. The spirits moved even faster, as if testing her will—pushing her to prove herself.
Nezuko's movements slowed—wild attacks wasted too much strength—so she began watching them, and learning their rhythms.
To her surprise, she adapted quickly to their Water Breathing forms.
When the girl struck high, Nezuko ducked low.
When the boy moved behind her, she spun and knocked the breath from his chest.
They were skilled—but soon, they became predictable. Nezuko moved with increasing confidence. Her counters grew precise. Her strikes aimed at pressure points, never vital areas.
She was holding back.
The girl's mask cracked when Nezuko's claw grazed her cheek—just enough to leave a mark.
But Nezuko didn't follow up.
The boy attempted a feint, his blade glowing faintly—but Nezuko dropped beneath the arc, twisted his wrist, and flipped him over her shoulder.
He hit the ground hard and groaned.
Nezuko stood over them, chest rising and falling.
She had the chance to end it.
But she didn't take it.
---
Silence filled the clearing. The moon cast a pale glow over them.
The girl's sword lay just out of reach. The boy's mask was cracked—his eyes wide with disbelief.
"I could have gone further," Nezuko said quietly, "but I didn't. I hope that proves something."
Neither spirit moved.
"I meant what I said. My master—he only wants to speak. No harm will come to you. And after that, we'll leave your home."
The boy slowly sat up. "Your master is a demon too? Does he believe in peace the way you claim to?"
"Yes, he's a demon," she said softly. "But—"
She looked down at her hands, recalling Muzan's words. Earlier, he had told her to let a family get eaten, to think like a demon now that she was one.
She knew that she had claws now. And her kimono was stained with blood.
But, her heart—remained human.
"He might not share my beliefs. But I still remember what compassion feels like. I promise—we'll leave once we've spoken."
The spirit girl touched her cracked mask, skipping over the heavy topic. She whispered,
"We… weren't meant to die. We were training to become Demon Slayers. We died at Wisteria Mountain. Our master sent us there to grow stronger—but we failed and got eaten."
Nezuko felt pity for them and stepped forward, kneeling between them.
"I am sure you gave it your all. Even after your passing, you've protected this place. You're still trying to keep others safe."
The boy's voice turned slightly bitter. "And what are you protecting, odd demon?"
Nezuko looked up. Her eyes glowed faintly pink in the moonlight.
"I don't know. Maybe… my family's peace."
---
Far in the distance, Muzan stood silently at the edge of the woods.
He watched as the mist in the clearing began to lift.
His eyes narrowed—but his lips curled upward. Just slightly.
"…She did it."