Chereads / Demon Slayer: The Dragon Breather / Chapter 8 - The Swamp Demon

Chapter 8 - The Swamp Demon

It was deep into the night, the sun long gone with darkness and the twinkling of stars replacing the bright yellow orb and clear blue skies. Even though the day was over and night had began, Tanjiro and Kagami never gave up on finding that demon and hoped for the possibility of stopping its kidnapping spree in its place.

Tanjiro sniffed every second into the air, moving wherever his feet took him, while Kagami had both hands raised high with her face tilted upwards, trying to discern the whisper the wind was blowing in her ears. The aura and wind of the demon was everywhere and was almost as overwhelming as the town itself. It felt murky and sluggish, as if she was walking through a swamp or dense forest full of dew and humidity. She's never felt this kind of powerful presence before.

The Hand Demon Tanjiro and Kagami fought during Final Selection wind was rough and powerful, enough to nearly send her toppling to the ground, but this one was different. Completely different.

Kagami must remember: as each person's aura, air, and wind is different, so are the demons. The more powerful they are, the more complex their auras will be.

The town lit up around them, the homes and stores they walked by lit their lanterns, but it did nothing to distill the fear and determination coursing through Kagami's blood. She will find that demon, even if it takes them all night, morning, or the entire week. She knows she and Tanjiro will never stop until the demon is found and destroyed.

"You're going to keep going?" Kazumi asked them slightly shocked.

"Yes," Tanjiro and Kagami didn't hesitate to answer.

Kazumi looked baffled and huffed, "Come on, it's getting late. I'm flattered that you're so concerned for me, but shouldn't you pick up again tomorrow and get some rest?"

Kagami turned her head and frowned at the man. She lifted her hands higher, feeling the moisture of the wind stick to her fingers like she was picking through a warm bowl of natto, and spoke, "Our concern is not only for you but for the many young women who sleep, eat, breathe, and live here. Besides, demons are only active at night so now may be our only chance to find it and destroy it before another girl is taken."

"We cannot afford to rest with the demon prowling the city. We must continue," Tanjiro added before jumping on all fours again.

Kagami resisted the urge to give Tanjiro a funny look again as he dug his nose into the earth. Then, he suddenly jumped on two feet and swirled around to the side, speaking, "I've picked up a new scent. It's just nearby."

"Wait, don't tell me you're... are you... Demon Slayers?" Kazumi asked them still baffled and confused.

Before Kagami could answer, the murky air she was wafting through suddenly forced itself down her throat and into her chest. She choked on it, doubling over and coughing her lungs out, when she felt the slight touch of a cold wind picking at her throat. It felt like it was punching the walls of her neck, screaming out in fear and terror, before abruptly disappearing. The demon-it grabbed a girl! It must've just taken someone!

No words needed to be said the demon was on the move.

Tanjiro and Kagami both acted quickly and began to run towards the direction they believe a girl was just taken, Kazumi's confused screaming fading into nothing behind them.

"The scent is stronger! The demon is active!" Tanjiro exclaimed.

"The demon has taken someone! I felt the wind tell me! We must stop it before it's too late!" Kagami screamed before crouching and pushing herself high into the air.

Her jump was so powerful she hovered over the town before falling towards the ground. She landed swiftly on a building and ran along its roof, the murky dense wind making it harder and harder for Kagami to move, but she kept going! Jumping off, she landed in the middle of an empty alleyway and forced her breathing to stay even. The dense air around her threatened to collapse her lungs but she stayed calm, calculated, and determined. The air was at its strongest and thickest peak.

Tanjiro landed beside her and looked both ways before muttering, "This is it."

He slowly unsheathed his black-bladed katana and held it up high, the tip pointed downwards. He moved it around slightly, muttering, "The scent is strongest right... here!"

He drove his sword into the ground and a wince pierced the air. A black puddle suddenly formed where Tanjiro's sword stabbed and exploded into the air. Kagami gasped when she saw something floating face down in the black water, wearing a flower printed yukata. No, not something! Someone! A girl!

Without wasting a moment, Kagami reached forward and yanked the girl out of the pool of black water. She felt some resistance but jumped high in the air, forcing it to withdraw, the sound of fabric tearing evidence of something holding on to the girl under the water.

Landing on her feet and carrying the unconscious girl in her arms, Kagami and Tanjiro stared at the black pool where the girl was previously floating in. There, sticking out, was a pale sharp-clawed hand holding a piece of the torn fabric she had heard rip earlier. Slowly, they placed their arm against the ground and pulled half of their body out of the puddle. They had pale skin, long blue hair, large veins protruding out of the skin on its forehead, and three horns adoring the top of its head like a crown. From what Kagami could see, it wore a ninja outfit with its right arm sleeve sliced, blood pouring out and steaming up.

To see water appear out of thin air should be impossible! She was standing on hard ground! How could an endless puddle of black water be formed in it?

"The demon, it has special powers!" Tanjiro gasped seeing its upper body reach out of the ground.

Blood demon art!

Kagami growled seeing the wound Tanjiro inflicted heal within a matter of seconds.

"What did you do to the girls you kidnapped?" Tanjiro angrily asked the demon.

The demons eyes, red as blood, glared in their direction. Instead of answering, the demon began to grind its teeth together harshly and violently. Kagami flinched at sound, the most unpleasant high-pitch screeching she's ever heard pierced her ears, and it didn't let up! Not even when Tanjiro spoke again, "There are some things I wanna know! Answer me!"

Without another moment, the demon dipped below the surface and the puddle disappeared.

But the overwhelming murky wind didn't.

"Who was that?" Kazumi suddenly appeared beside them sweating and out of breath.

Kagami turned to him and quickly said, "Kazumi, I need you to hold her for me so I can fight alongside Tanjiro. Stay close to us and we'll be able to protect you both."

Kazumi looked frantic and scared but he did as he was told. He grabbed the girl from Kagami's arms and she didn't hesitate to unsheathe her red-bladed katana.

Tanjiro and Kagami stayed close to each other, their katanas readied in front of them, taking a few steps forward to see where the demon might've gone, but it was difficult. Tanjiro took a whiff of the air but grimaced, his face speaking he didn't know which direction the demon could come out of. The wind didn't give any pointers to Kagami either. Everywhere she felt and everywhere she looked was just heavy, dense, murky wind. The invisible rain-forest she was walking through was limiting her senses.

The demon could come out of the wall or ground, Kagami wouldn't doubt it could emerge out of thin air, and it was unnerving her. Fear fell into her stomach but she forced the lump growing in her throat down. Even though the demon is hiding, it cannot get rid of its aura!

Kagami sharply twisted around and took multiple steps, raising her sword high as the black puddle reappeared!

Dragon Breathing! 8th Form!

She was about to set the demon on fire when suddenly... two more appeared by its side!

"There's three of them?!" she shrieked seeing three more demons of the same attire, face, and body pop out of the puddles.

Swiftly, she jumped high in the air as the three demons lunged for her. They missed! Their sharp-clawed hands tried to grab at her feet but she quickly shifted away and readjusted the grip on her sword.

"Dragon Breathing! 8th Form! Flashing Strike!" she screamed, her katana lighting aflame, the dragon burning alive on the blade of her sword, and dashed for the three demons. She slashed their bodies all at once before jabbing in their direction, the fiery blade hitting and damaging them... but just enough. She wanted to kill them right there and then, to light their bodies on fire and watch them burn for killing so many innocent young girls, but knew they needed to stay alive for interrogation! For Tanjiro and Nezuko's sake!

Before they had left, Mr. Urokodaki had spoke to them about one thing, and one thing that still sent chills down her spine.

"There's one more thing," he had started, "Tanjiro, the demon with the blood that can turn humans into demons,... there's only one in this world. The one who was the first to become a demon has been alive for more than a thousand years. In other words, this is your family's foe. Moreover, I believe he's the one who might know how to turn your sister, Nezuko, back into a human. That demon's name is... Muzan Kibutsuji!"

Even though Kagami was trying to make the demons vulnerable, her flashing strike only managed to slice one of each of their arms off.

I missed?!

The arms that had flown in the air, landed in black puddles that appeared out of nowhere! Once again, the demon dipped beneath the surface and disappeared!

"They all have the exact same scent," Tanjiro spoke aloud behind her. "Demons don't band together as a rule. So it must be one demon split into three!"

So the two of them must kill three demons and protect two innocent people at the same time?

Kagami took in a deep breath and steeled her nerve. She must stay brave! The both of them need to make the demon talk about Muzan Kibutsuji and how to turn a demon back into a human!

"Ah!" Kazumi had screamed but Tanjiro moved fast.

"Water Breathing! Second Form! Water Wheel!" he exclaimed, jumping in the air and twisting his body forward.

Kagami watched in awe as a large water wheel rolled out of his sword and formed in the air, slicing into the demon's shoulder. Except it wasn't a deep enough gash. The look on Tanjiro's face said it all: he was upset at himself because the slice... it was too shallow!

Maybe as a tactic, or a strategy, the demon quickly moved to the far end of the alleyway and stayed there. Its head poked out of the puddle, only showing its angry eyes, and watched the two of them closely. Neither Tanjiro nor Kagami moved towards it. The only reason they stayed back was because they needed to protect Kazumi and the girl, but they can't use their full strength with innocents around. They might get hurt!

"You bastards!" the demon with the 2 horns suddenly started to scream. His voice was rough, sadistic, and so animal-like. "She'll go stale! Move out of the way, dammit! That girl's already 16! If I don't devour her soon, she's gonna lose flavor by the second!"

Kagami was startled by the demon forming words. Before, it wouldn't speak, only screech, but at that moment it decided to?

"Take a breath, other me."

Kagami and Tanjiro gasped and whipped their heads around to see another body of the demon appear behind them. Kagami quickly went back to back with Tanjiro and aimed her katana at the new demon. This one acted different than the other. It was cold, calculated, and spoke with arrogance. Its smirk played on its lips when gazing at Kagami, who glared back in disgust. This one had 1 horn unlike the other.

"Nights like this happen," the 1-horn demon continued with a small chuckle. "I've already feasted on plenty 16-year-old girls in this town. They were all quite meaty and delicious. I was quite satisfied... up until now."

His eyes landed on Kagami and she swallowed another small lump in her throat.

"I'm not satisfied! I was never satisfied! I want to eat them all! All of them!" the 2-horn demon screamed in anger.

Kazumi stepped forward and growled, "You monster... bring Satoko back! The girl you took the other night!"

The same screeching noise caused them all to flinch and twitch as it pierced the air. They all looked up and gasped seeing the third demon appearing out of the roof of the building next to them, grinding its teeth harshly and violently against the other again. His glowing red eyes glared down at them all. Then, Kagami saw its 3 horn crown she saw earlier. They were the same but had different personalities. It was odd, strange, but it wouldn't keep Kagami from fighting.

"Satoko?" the 1-horn demon murmured into the air with a slight purr. "Which one was that?"

The demon pulled open its robe and revealed more than a dozen hairpins hanging in the inside!

"If her hairpin is among these collectibles, then I'm afraid I've already eaten her. Sorry," the 1-horn demon cackled.

Kazumi's breath got hitched at the back of his throat, when he looked into the demon's sick collection of hairpins, but specifically the large red ribbon hanging lifelessly. He quickly began to tremble, tears pouring out of his eyes, and a sob spilled out of his chest.

After divulging the information, the demon quickly disappeared underneath once again.

It's always demons causing pain to humans. They took Kazumi's fiancee, sisters, daughters, and Tanjiro's family, making Nezuko into a demon. They took Sabito and Makomo, as well as the other students of Mr. Urokodaki! They're taking, killing, and feeding on innocent people who just wanted to live long and happy lives! Kagami will kill them all no matter what and make sure no one else suffers like them! And she'll start with that Swamp Demon!

"Yah!" she screamed twisting her body away from the demon who had lunged at her from the ground.

She quickly slashed downwards, her flaming katana slicing off the limb, but nothing more. The demon had narrowly dodged its head and used its arms as a shield instead. It hissed and retreated back into the water as she landed on her feet once again.

I can't believe I missed again! He moves so fast underground!

Tanjiro quickly dodged an attack by the demon from the wall, jumping over its lunging body, and landing on his feet, but he couldn't react in time from an attack behind him. Kagami screamed and tried to race towards his side, but was forced to block an attack from in front of her.

It all happened in slow motion.

The 2-horn demon jabbed a hand at Tanjiro's head, so fast he couldn't react in time, but suddenly the door of the box Tanjiro had been carrying burst open violently. A foot was swiftly kicked out and slammed into the head of the demon so hard it sent its body flying and its neck spinning over and over and over again. That demon fell to the ground and stayed laying there momentarily stunned by what had happened.

"Why would a mere human be accompany a demon?" the 1-horn demon growled appearing out of the ground in front of Kagami.

Nezuko jumped out of the box, her pink, angry eyes turned into slits, her body having grown larger, and the claws protuding out of her nails seeming sharper. She was breathing heavily, a nasty growl falling out of her lips when her eyes landed on the demon that attacked her older brother. She got into a fighting stance and readied herself for battle.

The demons, confused and angry at the sight of Nezuko, quickly disappeared into a pool of black water.

Nezuko's angry demeanor slowly shifted to one of calm and peace. Her claws retracted, her eyes turned back into large pupils, and her breathing turned to normal. She slowly turned and gazed at Kazumi and the unconscious girl. Without hesitating, she took a few steps towards them, Kazumi taking a few back in fright, and softly laid a hand on each of their heads.

Kazumi, frightened, trembled at her touch, a small tear rolling down his face, but Kagami didn't sense any hostility or malice.

Instead, she saw love, adoration, affection, and a sense of protectiveness in Nezuko's eyes. They were so wide, so beautiful, and so big staring at a couple of strangers she's never met. The light in her eyes never wavered as she gazed into their faces. The air around her was soft, fresh, and comforting. It broke through the murky, dense air she and Tanjiro were trapped in fighting that demon. It was a light they all needed to feel.

"This may only be cold comfort, but while Nezuko was asleep, I used hypnotic suggestion on her," Urokodaki informed Tanjiro on the night before they left. ""All humans are your family." "Protect humans." "The demons are the enemy!" "Never forgive a demon who dare harm a human!""

The three demons once again appeared before their eyes and Nezuko didn't hesitate to move forward. In a blink of an eye, she turned from the loving girl into a ferocious demon, hellbent on protecting her family, the people around her, from the monsters who threaten to kill them.

Kagami readied her sword and glared at the demons.

Nezuko ran full-force towards the two demons lurking in the distance underneath the surface of their black pools. She pushed herself into the air with one leg and swiftly lifted the other one high in the air before slamming it into the ground where the 3-horn demon lurked. Violent vibrations shifted through the earth and a cloud of dirt lifted around Nezuko's body, covering everything around her. When the cloud dissipated, it only revealed the crumbled earth and the large footprint she embedded in it beneath her.

Where the hell did the demon go?!

The 1-horn demon smirked and cackled at their surprise of the 3-horn demon's disappearance. Nezuko had ran and attacked so fast it hurt Kagami's eyes but the demon still somehow managed to escape!

When the 1-horn demon began to disappear under the surface of the pool of black water, Nezuko didn't hesitate to move forward and attack.

"Nezuko!"

Nezuko stopped in her tracks and Kagami looked beside her to see Tanjiro screaming after her. The 1-horn demon took that chance to disappear under the surface, escaping from Nezuko's grasp, but she didn't look upset. She only looked curiously at her big brother who looked distraught at her running towards a dangerous demon.

"Don't chase him! Get back here! Come to me," he pleaded firmly to her.

Nezuko began to turn around and run towards to where Tanjiro and Kagami were stationed, but Kagami gasped seeing a black pool suddenly appear before her path. Before Tanjiro and Kagami could warn her, scream at her to watch out, the 2-horn demon screamed and lunged right for her. Nezuko didn't falter, or lose any bit of momentum, when she jumped in the high and front flipped forward and away from the demon.

As Nezuko quickly joined their side, Kagami was then reminded Nezuko is in fact a demon. A demon who is powerful, quick, agile, and doesn't need protection. She knows Tanjiro only beckoned his sister to them because he was afraid she was going to get hurt, but that display of movement and agility should've reminded him his sister doesn't need protection. That she can hold her own and actually help them turn the tide in that battle.

By the look on Tanjiro's face, he was thinking the same thing. Maybe even more.

Kagami's feet suddenly felt water and sluggish.

She gasped and looked down to see a giant black pool of water underneath both her and Tanjiro! They both quickly jumped backwards and are separated from Nezuko, Kazumi, and the unconscious girl by another black pool.

Nezuko growls and tries to move in towards them but a black pool swirled at her side. The 2-horn demon lunged at her but missed when she jumped backwards, narrowly avoiding his claw attack.

"Nezuko!" Tanjiro had screamed but paused.

When he looked down and stared at the black pool, Kagami realized that large pool hadn't disappear yet. It usually did whenever the demon jumps out of or hides completely underneath the surface. It was strange yet it seemed like an endless gateway. The demons had the advantage with their blood demon art of hiding and moving along the surfaces undetected, leaving Tanjiro, Nezuko, and Kagami fearful of where they could come out of.

They need to take the advantage back.

Steeling her nerve and taking a deep breath in, Kagami stepped foot in the black pool and let herself sink into the dark waters.

"Nezuko! We're going underground. Keep them safe for me. Can you do that?" she heard Tanjiro ask Nezuko, a pride and determination in his voice, before her head sunk below the surface.

The large breath she had taken didn't nearly feel enough when her body was completely submerged. She opened her eyes and she only saw all around her was nothing but an endless black swamp. The only thing that lit her way was moonlight peeking through the small circle she had sunk through. The water felt sticky, dense, murky, and extremely heavy, just like the air and wind she felt around the demons.

As she sunk lower, Kagami looked down and her eyes widened seeing a dozen of tattered and ripped kimonos and yukatas floating lifelessly in the water underneath her.

Are these… the clothing of the kidnapped girls?

It was horrible! It was disgusting! Demons are a stain on the earth and she will wipe them all out! What the demons had done was unforgiveable!

A bubble of air was choked out of her throat as her lungs began to burn. Kagami fearfully put a hand on her chest, panic and fear setting into her bones when she realized she was gradually losing air, as she looked around trying to find some sort of air pocket. She was sinking lower and lower with no way of stopping herself!

She's going to drown!

Kagami turned and her eyes widened when the 3-horn demon's clawed hand was inches from her face. She didn't have time to react—but a black-bladed sword was shoved in her vision, deflecting the attack from her head! The demon, surprised and angry, quickly swam away as Tanjiro took his spot by her side.

He placed a soft but firm hand on her shoulder, looking deep into her eyes and giving her a determined nod.

No words needed to be said that he believes in her and that they could defeat the demon.

Kagami realized it was silly going into the pool of black water as a Dragon Breather, she doesn't know how good her breathing technique will be underwater but she can sure help Tanjiro defeat that demon! No matter what!

She lit her sword aflame and it immediately began to distinguish under the murky water. As it did, it released a massive amount of steam, clouding the water all around them, making it very hard for them to see. It also made it hard for the demons to see them. This fight was all up to Tanjiro. As he is a Water Breathing user, she knows his full potential will be unleashed under the water!

The two demons swirled around in the water all around them, then straight for them, but immediately diverted off! They move and swam in impossible angles at an impossible speed, especially in water as heavy and dense. They moved faster in the water than they do on the surface. What are they going to do?

Tanjiro had his sword raised and didn't seem to know what to do at first!

Then, he gritted his teeth, clenched his sword in his hands, and readied himself. He looked determined when he watched their movements with careful eyes. He was waiting for the demons to get near enough to him to attack. Kagami was ready to move out of his way when the time came, she didn't want Tanjiro to worry about hitting her, she wanted him to give everything he's got to kill those demons once for all!

When the two demons got closer, their hands ready to attack their heads from behind, Tanjiro sharply twisted around. As he did, Kagami twisted her body around his, narrowly avoiding his violent attack towards the demons, and attached herself onto the box on his back. He twisted around, shifted his feet, and slashed sideways, generating a large whirlpool! The water swirled around him violently in a large vortex that swirled all the way to the surface and down towards the endless abyss. It first cut the demons' bodies in half and the continuous waves severed their limbs from what was left of their body.

Kagami held on tight as the violent water swirled and swooshed around her, threatening to break her grip on the box, but after a few more moments it finally ceased.

The water was steady and calm once again. The demons' bodies quickly disintegrated from their vision, finally dead, but their clothing was tattered into tiny pieces, littering the heavy water. But Tanjiro then noticed something floating in the distance.

Kicking his feet, he grabbed a piece of the torn cloth and stared at in sadness.

But they both didn't have time to ponder about it. Kagami's lungs were beginning to burn and choke on the water around her. She can't breathe!

Kagami and Tanjiro quickly began to swim back towards the black pool they entered through when another one suddenly opened up near them. There, they could see Nezuko stopping the last demon from jumping in to run away. They watched helplessly, swimming as fast as they could towards the surface, as the 2-horn demon began to block all of her attacks. It blocked her kicks, punches, and stabs and somehow managed to slash her head!

Nezuko reeled back in pain, blood dripping from the 3 claw marks the demon embedded in her, and couldn't see the other attack it was going to drive through her head!

Fast as lightning, Tanjiro leaped out of the pool and dashed forward! An angry glare and nasty scowl adorned his face seeing the monster attack his sister.

"Hands off my sister!" he screamed slashing off the 2-horn demon's arm before it could touch Nezuko!

The 2-horn demon gasped at his sudden appearance and watched angrily as its severed arm flew into the air far away from them. Growling, it tried to use its other arm to attack Tanjiro but as soon as Kagami leapt out of the pool her sword lit aflame. The dragon burned brightly on the blade as she dashed forward in front of Tanjiro and sliced off its other arm.

"I don't think so!" she screamed watching its other severed arm fly away and disintegrate in an instant.

The demon fell backwards against the wall, looking at two swords pointed at its face in fright but anger. It scowled and growled at them but made sure to keep the rest of it away from their Nichirin Swords.

"The air around you is thick with malice and fear… it's disgusting," Kagami scowled at the demon.

"You give off a scent of rotten oil. It's a horrible smell! Tell me, how many people have you killed?!" Tanjiro angrily demanded.

The demon bared its fangs at Tanjiro and Kagami, screaming, "Give me a break already! If women live any longer, they turn ugly and start tasting terrible! So, we killed them for their own good! We could be feasting on that girl right now if it weren't for you!"

"You are not going to feast on that girl, or any other girl, anymore!" Kagami hissed.

The demon cackled at what Kagami said and scowled, "Not that girl, I mean you, girl!"

Kagami faltered for only a moment. Her breath got hitched at the back of her throat but she quickly swallowed it. She continued to glare at the demon and huffed, "But I'm not 16 yet. You said it yourself, you strictly eat girls once they turn 16!"

"Only when they don't have blood like yours," it spoke licking its lips.

Tanjiro growled and demanded, "What do you mean by that? Why are you interested in Kagami's blood?"

"Rarebloods are so juicy and tender, and so delicious, but their blood is the equivalent of 100 humans! Just eating one could make any demon extremely powerful, and I want it! I want her blood now! She hasn't begun rotting yet, she hasn't hit the age of spoiled goodness, and I want to eat her before she does-!" the demon explained maniacally but didn't get the chance to finish.

Kagami, disgusted, slashed the demon's mouth.

From ear to ear, there was a long thin line bleeding from its face, blood pouring from both skin and mouth. The demon looked at her like she was crazy but she only felt disgust, hatred, and confusion. Disgust and hatred that it would eat young girls, even her, but confusion as to why her blood is so special. Rareblood, the demon had called her.

It made her sick.

With the motion of her head, Kagami stepped back and Tanjiro took one forward, his sword inches away from the demon's face. It growled and tried to push itself further away from the blade but it had nowhere to go. It was now at the mercy of Tanjiro and Kagami.

"You're going to tell me what you know about Muzan Kibutsuji!" Tanjiro demanded.

Suddenly, the angry and vengeful demeanor of the demon turned to one of fear, terror, and horror. Its body trembled violently, their breathing became shallow and almost wheeze-like, nervous sweat rolled down its head, and it began to sob. Not one word spilled from its lips and it quickly shifted its head away Tanjiro's sword.

Tanjiro forced its head back and demanded again, "Tell me!"

The demon refused to!

"Come on! Talk!"

"I-I can't tell you!" the demon finally screamed out against Tanjiro's relentless demands. "I can't tell you! I can't tell you! I can't tell you!"

The demon began to scream that over, and over, and over again hysterically. The once dangerous wind that occupied the area, one full of terror and sadism, had quickly shifted to fear. The demon that was once arrogant, that called for the death of every single girl in the town, quickly became a coward at the sound of a name.

But that name… had lived for a thousand years.

Why… why was that demon so terrified?

"I can't tell you, all right?! YAH!" the demon screamed as its arms regenerated completely under a second before launching himself at Tanjiro.

Kagami didn't know who reacted first but both of them moved quickly to slice off the demon's head. Their swords didn't clash together as they sliced through the demon's neck. Its head was lobbed off and disintegrated before it even hit the ground. The rest of its body followed suit and there was nothing left of it. The atmosphere, wind, air, and aura lifted in an instant. Kagami felt like she could breathe again, it was fresh and cool once again, but she could still feel the frustration and confusion.

"Argh! I failed to get any information again," Tanjiro angrily spoke sheathing his sword.

His angry demeanor quickly disappeared when they turned their heads and saw Nezuko laying against the wall, her eyes closed.

"Nezuko!"

They quickly ran to her side and Kagami placed a finger against the side of Nezuko's neck. There was a pulse and she could see Nezuko's chest slowly rise and fall.

A sigh of relief fell from her lips and she muttered, "She's asleep."

Tanjiro gently touched Nezuko's head and mumbled, "The bleeding's stopped, too. So, that does help her recover."

Gazing into her sleeping, injured, state, Kagami felt a wave of sadness wash over Tanjiro as he gently placed his forehead against Nezuko's. "Sorry. I'm so sorry. Just hang on. I promise you this: I will make you human again."

Their job was done; the demon is dead. It was time to go.

Kagami gently cleaned Nezuko's wound and the blood on her face. Tanjiro then gently placed Nezuko's sleeping body inside the box before placing it on his back once again.

Before they could leave, they saw Kazumi kneeling on the ground staring into nothing. The girl was still unconscious, her body sitting against the wall beside him, as he stared completely emotionless into the ground.

Tanjiro knelt in front of him and softly asked, "Are you alright?"

Kazumi lifted his eyes to him and a wave of tears began to spill out. Angry, frustrated, he answered, "I've lost my fiancée. How can I be alright?"

Tanjiro seemed slightly taken back by his response but nodded his head regardless. Softly, he said, "Kazumi, you have to go on. You may lose people again and again, but you just have to go on living. No matter how devastating the blows may be."

Kazumi reached forward and grabbed a handful of Tanjiro's haori, screaming, "How am I supposed to do that?! What do you know?! You're just a kid!"

Kagami almost ran forward to rip his hand off of Tanjiro but quickly stopped. Tanjiro had reached up and gently grabbed Kazumi's wrist. He gave Kazumi the gentlest of smiles, his eyes so kind and so soft, before softly releasing the man's hold on his haori. Kazumi gasped at Tanjiro's calm and peaceful demeanor, letting himself fall back on his knees.

Tanjiro stood and held out a piece of cloth. "I'll be on my way now, but here. Hopefully you'll find something of Miss Satoko's in there."

The cloth he grabbed in the swamp…

Kazumi grabbed it and opened it up. Wave after wave of tears fell down his cheeks when his eyes landed on the bright red ribbon sitting with the rest of the hairpins. He placed his face against the ribbon, choking back his sobs as he thought of his dead fiancée.

Kagami's eyes fell to the ground and she choked back a tear.

Her father's death made her want to stop living but his words made her continue on. He was proud of her, believed she could be anything she wanted, and wanted her to live her life. Most of all, he wants her to be proud of who she is and what she will do in her future. She promised to become a Demon Slayer and she fulfilled it. Now, she must fulfill her own promise to herself.

Tanjiro stood, bowed to Kazumi, before beginning to walk away.

Kagami fell in step beside him and walked down the alleyway as the sun began to rise above the horizon. The yellow and orange rays streaked along the sky that turned blue, a wave of warmth flowing through her body.

The sun; a steady reminder of the happiness, relief, and a new beginning it could bring someone.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that!" Kazumi began to scream after them. "Please forgive me! I'm so sorry!"

Tanjiro turned and smiled, waving goodbye. "I'm leaving the girl with you! Get her home safe!"

"Yes, I will! I promise!"

Even though Tanjiro was calm, soft, and gentle with Kazumi, when he turned to walk away again, he was angry and vengeful. Kagami didn't blame him one bit. Tanjiro's family wasn't the only one who suffered at the hands of a demon. The Swamp Demon was also tortured, tormented, and suffered. No matter how much she doesn't want to believe that demon had some sort of a heart, there was no doubt he was forced into an arrangement with that son of a bitch.

"I will never forgive you, Muzan Kibutsuji!" Tanjiro growled under his breath.

CAW! CAW!

Kagami flinched when something landed on her shoulder. It was her Kasugai crow!

"Next up, Asakusa, Tokyo!" he screamed at her. "Rumor has it there's a demon lurking around there!"

Tanjiro and Kagami groaned in exhaustion and shock.

"But we just finished a mission! We can't possibly have another one!" she exclaimed at her crow.

"Yes, you do! Come on, let's go!"

"At least give us a minute!" Tanjiro exclaimed at the crow.

The crow latched its talons into Kagami's shoulder and began to flap its wings down the alleyway, forcing her to stumble along, screaming, "No time! Move it! Shut up and go already!"

Tanjiro and Kagami let out large sighs once again and trudged their way down the alleyway, out of town, and onto the road leading to Asakusa, Tokyo. It would Kagami's first time going into a large city. She hoped it wouldn't be too overwhelming like that town, but she believes it will be. No matter, she and Tanjiro will kill that demon, and find Muzan Kibutsuji.

They will destroy him and turn Nezuko back into a human!