Chapter 31

I_LOVE_MEGUMIN. I decided to go with your suggestion of Jegal Taek's Megalodon. There were other good suggestions and he'll still get the Renkaku and Ukaku obviously, but this ability really emphasizes on the demon side of Kyoshi which is exactly what I wanted.

Something simple, effective, and symbolic.

Also, figured out a way to make the relationship between Yui and Kyoshi develop while making Ren also a likable character even if she not the LI.

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The cut on Itsumu's chest started healing and he grit his teeth as he stared at Tanjiro. He had a completely different air about him. He actually seemed dangerous.

'I guess I should start taking this somewhat seriously, but what is it that's changed exactly?' Itsumu thought.

He decided not to think about it and just fight, but it felt like if he slipped up even once in this attack then he'd get killed.

Tanjiro's mouth slightly opened as he inhaled and sprung forward. His speed from compared to now wasn't near the same.

He slashed diagonally Itsumu, aiming at his neck. He spun the left and whipped his leg out as he aimed to kick Tanjiro in the ribs.

Tanjiro grabbed his left leg and with his other hand, he swung his blade and sliced Itsumu's leg off. He then dashed forward with a blazing trail of fire behind his sword.

Itsumu, backed up as he hopped on one leg while his other was regenerating. He opted for counter attacks and deflects as Tanjiro kept slashing his sword.

Once his foot was completed healed, he rooted himself to the ground and ducked under a slash before springing himself upwards, uppercutting Tanjiro.

He stumbled back with grit teeth and Itsumu went to stab him, but Tanjiro didn't let him get the chance. He swung his blade and cut off Itsumu's arms before they regenerated and Itsumu finally made up his mind.

'It's a human so either he'll go down after enough damage or he'll die. Either way I'm done holding back!!'

Tanjiro slashed downward ms towards Itsumu who sent a punch to the side of Tanjiro's blade. Tanjiro was slightly knocked off balance, but Itsumu used that.

He pulled Tanjiro in and slammed his knee into his gut making all the air in Tanjiro's lungs burst forward. He then punched him in the stomach again before grabbing his haori and spinning around.

He threw Tanjiro who was discombobulated and slammed into the ground. The grip on his sword was still there, so Itsumu ran after him as he started getting up.

As he got ready to kick Tanjiro's head clean off, his body suddenly went stiff and he was stopped right in his tracks.

Tanjiro saw this and his eyes lot up as he raised his sword. Just as he prepared to slice Itsumu in two, his hands were wrapped together in thick white webs along with his body being trapped in a cocoon.

"That's quite enough." A soft voice spoke as Koyuki came into view.

Behind her was Nezuko who was sleeping and Mayumi who was also sleeping.

Koyuki had a Demon Blood Art called: Puppet.

Her webs were able to go into the skin unnoticed and connect to bones, muscles, nerves, etc and she was able to control the person they entered.

She was also able to do this with many people. This ability is what she used to the title of Lower Moon: Rank 5.

"NEZUKO!!" Tanjiro shouted as he started wiggling around. Koyuki wrapped his mouth before she spoke.

"Don't worry. The girls only sleeping." She said in a calm tone.

"Now then, shall we talk over some tea?" She asked. She had no intentions of waiting for an answer as she started walking towards the house with them being dragged behind her.

…

Currently, they were sitting in the living room. Tanjiro was sitting on the couch across from them with Nezuko sleeping with her head in his lap.

Of course they took his sword just for safety measures. He was still beat up and badly hurt so Koyuki signaled for Itsumu to heal him.

Itsumu's sighed as his stingers shot out from his wrist.

"Don't look so worried, this the same stuff from before." Itsumu said.

'It smells like he's telling the truth, but a demon…'

He glanced towards Nezuko and relaxed a bit as he put his arm out. The stinger barely went in and didn't hurt as he made it skinnier for less pain and easy piercing functions.

He injected the healing fluid into Tanjiro and went back to the couch. Tanjiro's body started healing fast as the wounds he had were closing and the bruises on him started clearing up.

"Now then, I assume you were sent here on a mission to kill us right?" Koyuki asked.

"…No, not exactly. I was just getting done with another mission before getting detoured and having to seek refuge in a cabin." He answered.

"Mm, we saw. The demons around the mountain seem to be grouping up. You're a pretty strong demon slayer yet you look so young. 15 maybe?"

Tanjiro nodded his head and Koyuki smiled.

"Well then, there's no need for anyone to die tonight. We're only interested in protecting our home, so you can be on your way at dawn. Itsumu will show you to an unoccupied cabin and we can go our separate ways."

"I-I can't do that. The DSC would-"

"The DSC doesn't have to know. While you four were fighting, I noticed your crow was gone so it didn't witness anything. Maybe getting another mission? Who knows.

All you have to do is say that you camped out in a cabin and left the mountain the next morning. Report about the hordes if you want, but us letting you off can be our secret." She explained.

"But as a demon slayer-"

"Why'd you become a demon slayer?"

"I want to kill Muzan Kibutsuji!!" He said seriously. His eyes were basically set ablaze with determination.

"…I see. No matter how impossible the dream is, humans still like to work towards it. An admirable trait of both humans and demons." Koyuki said as she chuckled.

"If that's truly your dream then are really gonna let the DSC bar you from it? We're letting you go, so you'll at least live yet, you're so content on following the DSC rules."

"I can't do this without them so I must follow their rules." Tanjiro said.

"You have a sword, you have a breathing style and you have time. You can become a ronin demon slayer. No need to bared by rules or rank." Koyuki said as she laughed.

"Mom aren't you giving him too many ideas?!" Itsumu said.

"I suppose you're right, but let's say you do come close to Lord Muzan. You'll have to fight someone with so much power and potential that hasn't even been reached yet. His little nephew, well, grandson if you consider age, but regardless you won't get past him."

"Could you mean…?"

"You know him?" Mayumu spoke up.

"We crossed paths once before. He's really strong, but…but to be the grandson of Muzan…" Tanjiro looked completely hopeless.

"Well then, that's enough. You'll be accepting my offer and declining isn't an option. Itsumu."

"Yes ma'am."

Itsumu got up and signaled for Tanjiro to follow him. He was hesitant, but decided to accept the offer and follow Itsumu with Nezuko in his arms.

"We have to report this to Lord Muzan right?" Mayumi asked.

"Not really. As long as no flags are raised then if there aren't any demon slayers here tomorrow then we'll ho down and wipe out all those annoying demons ourselves. Since they aren't useful to the lord then I don't think he'll object to this motion."

"I-I see." Mayumi said as she looked at her mother in amazement.

She was elegant and elaborate. Mayumi longed to be like that and after hearing her mothers words and being reminded of her demeanor, she had renewed motivation.

…

—A Few Days Later—

Back with Yui, it took her a while to get there, but she finally made it. Kyoshi's birthplace.

Toshikawa Village inside the Kyozumi prefecture.

Although it's been three years since it's destruction and massacre, the place was rebuilt. The walls around it were made of thick stone and they were tall.

There was also two men who seemed to be samurai standing guard at the gate along with wisteria flowers hanging around the walls.

She walked towards the gates and of course was stopped by the two samurai.

"Before entering, we'll have to check you supplies. You also have to sign a entry log." One of the men said as he gave her a clipboard with paper on it.

"Oh, alright."

She quickly took off her bag and handed it to them as she started signing her name. She heard the clanging sound of metal and a gasp.

"What's with all these weapons?!" One of them said as they glared at her suspiciously.

"Eh…ah, this a misunderstanding. My names Yui Koga. I'm a part of the DSC's information branch and the daughter of the chief." She explained as she showed her clan crest on the back of her clothes.

"Oh, I see. Sorry for the sudden hostility. We'll have to take you the village chief." Said the samurai as they both slightly bowed.

"No no, it's fine. I'd be on guard if someone brought that many weapons into my village as well. Especially after what happened three years ago." She said with her own bow.

The samurai nodded as they guided her inside the village.

As they walked she looked around wondrously. There were lanterns hanging on strings which were shaped light stars. There were beautiful garden beds along the sides of roads and benches to sit on.

You could smell delicious food in the air and the townspeople seemed extremely happy calm. The entire feeling of this village was extremely infatuating.

As the townspeople saw her looking around, they already knew she was from outside the village. They waved, smiled, and greeted her as she walked by with a smile on her face.

Along with the regular townspeople, there was also samurai walking around who also greeted her but stayed on task.

"I didn't think Kyoshi grew up in a place like this. It's so beautiful." Yui muttered.

Soon they came upon a tradition Japanese styled house that was closed off by a fence with two samurai guarding it.

The other two exchanged words and they went back to their post as she was escorted by the other samurai.

They walked into the house after gaining entry from a maid. After notifying her of Yui's status, the maid rushed to the back before coming back up front and guiding her to a room.

"The chief is just on the other side." The maid said.

Yui nodded her head and took a deep breath as she knocked on the door.

"You may enter." An old, but rather raspy voice answered.

She slid the door open and saw an old man sitting with his back to the door. He looked over his shoulder and with a wide grin, he pointed at himself with his thumb.

"Yo, kid. You can call me grandpa Kisanagi."

"…eh?"

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Most of you won't have a clue who this is, but keep in mind all mysteries are always answered in future chapters so hold them questions if you do know who this is.

Also, I decided to get to Kyoshi and Ren a lil later. Want to give Yui more depth since I don't like that whole, "going after him to get that oh so vivid feeling again." Reason of her liking him.

It'll be like a catalyst, but she'll be getting some crazy development from now on since I've got plans set in stone.