"Nezuko!"
Tanjiro's scream tore through the forest as he watched his demon sister get hurt by Rui's strings. He hadn't expected this turn of events at all. This was supposed to be a normal demon slaying mission but he didn't expect that they'd meet a Lower Moon.
Inouske was out there battling the 'father' demon while Zenitsu was probably out of the forest or facing other demons.
And worst of all, he was helpless against the Lower Moon demon.
Just then, he felt something coursing through his blood. Not water like in water breathing but something hot and flowing.
"Hiss."
Flames erupted from the side of his mouth as his sword was enveloped in reddish orange flames. He remembered. The dance his father always performed.
"Hinokami Kagura."
Rui was watching the demon slayer in interest when he suddenly felt danger. Leaping back, he narrowly dodged the attack of Tanjiro, shocked. Had the boy gotten stronger? Mid-battle?
However, he soon realized that Tanjiro's target wasn't him but the strings holding Nezuko.
"You're protecting your sister so earnestly I'm touched."
Rui spoke, unable to understand the bond between them. He was envious. Why couldn't his own family be like this?
"But I won't allow her to stay around a weak human like you. She will become part of my family."
Rui growled, then attacked.
Several strings rained down on Tanjiro who had placed Nezuko behind him. Struggling, he cut off all the strings, ensuring that none touched Nezuko.
Behind him, Nezuko bit herself, then something unexpected happened. Her blood ignited into pink flames which splattered on Tanjiro's sword, turning the flames pinkish red.
Immediately, Rui recoiled—surprised that Nezuko's blood demon art didn't hurt Tanjiro but instead weakened him instead.
'Hurting demons and not humans?'
Seizing the opportunity, Tanjiro mustered all of his strength into one final struggle despite his aching lungs. It seemed his body couldn't utilize Hinokami Kagura for a long period of time.
Slicing through the threads easily, he arrived before the shocked Rui and swung his sword at the Lower Moon's neck.
"Haaaahh!!!"
Covered in blood and muscles bulging, his sword sliced cleanly through Rui's neck, decapitating the demon.
"Ahk!"
As soon as he confirmed the head was cut off, Tanjiro collapsed to his knees, coughing up blood. Although his vision was blurry, he could still hear Nezuko's alarmed growl.
'He isn't dead?'
"So this... is the bond I desired?"
Rui's voice startled him. He was sure he had cut the demon's head.
"You certainly could have killed me. But I cut off my head with my own strings instead. So your nichirin blade has no effect on me." Rui smiled angrily, looking down at the paralyzed boy.
"Now you can die."
Just then, another demon slayer intervened, slicing through his threads with ease. Rui looked surprised, but since the new demon slayer didn't look super strong, he believed he could trap him with his threads.
Giyu, who had just arrived at the scene, stood calmly as the complicated web of demonic strings approached him.
"Water Breathing, Eleventh Form: Dead Calm."
The strings approaching him disintegrated upon touching the the single water ripple—shocking Rui.
However, before he could even think again, he realized his head was on the ground, watching as his body disintegrated.
'So this... is what it means to be loved? Even now... I'm still alone.'
After ensuring the demon was dead, Giyu turned to Nezuko and Tanjiro.
"You again."
He frowned, surprised. Although he acted displeased, he was happy they had lasted that long against a Lower Moon. Almost killing him, even.
"Is that a demon, Giyu?"
Shinobu's voice filled his ears as he watched her land softly from the sky like a butterfly.
"She's not a demon you should kill." Giyu said, appearing conflicted.
As if noticing the former's animosity, Nezuko rushed towards Tanjiro and held him in a protective embrace, baring her fangs at Shinobu.
Immediately, Shinobu tensed.
Why?
Nezuko's action reminded her of him. That demon—Douma. The way Nezuko shielded Tanjiro... it mirrored Douma's strange, haunting embrace. The memory scraped at her rage like broken glass in her chest.
"You—!" She froze, unable to say anything.
Giyu noticed her strangeness but sighed in relief since she wasn't after the demon's life again. However, he forgot something. There was another Hashira nearby.
As silent as a snake, Obanai appeared behind the siblings, his sword ready to cut Nezuko's head.
Thankfully, Giyu reacted instantly.
Clang!
Obanai's curvy sword met Giyu's in a heavy deadlock, surprising Shinobu.
"Are you protecting a demon, Giyu?"
Obanai asked, his voice low and dangerous.
Giyu didn't reply, but only locked eyes with Obanai. Realizing the Water Hashira wasn't going to reply, Obanai turned to the Insect Hashira.
"You?"
Shinobu shook her head. "I'm confused. She doesn't look harmful."
Immediately, Obanai disagreed. "All demons are vile creatures who feed on humans."
He disengaged from Giyu and attacked from another angle, but Giyu was ready to block him.
Clang!
"Why are you protecting them?" Obanai frowned behind his mask. Irritation flickering in his eyes.
"Because they're my responsibility." Giyu replied.
Realizing the Water Hashira wouldn't back down, Obanai disengaged and turned away.
"Be ready to explain yourself to Oyakata-sama."
With one final glance at the siblings and Shinobu, he disappeared.
Sighing, Giyu turned to Shinobu.
"Why didn't you attack them?"
Shinobu lowered her head, conflicted.
"Perhaps I'm not in the mood. Also, she's obviously protecting her brother."
Although she didn't say it, Giyu knew she was thinking about that demon who killed her sister.
'I swear I'll avenge the Flower Hashira.'