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He didn’t know when this started.
He didn’t know why he started doing this.
He was now used to come every now and then to the flame estate.
It was about two months since their fight with the flame Pilar, the lava Pilar , and himself, the upper moon 3.
He never knew why , when at first he wanted to turn Kyojuro into a demon , then , he had to kill him , now he is glad that he isn’t dead , but guilty for his injuries.
He still didn’t know why !
At first , he came at night to take care of both Pilars , but since the Lava one woke up first, he now only went to the flame estate for the other one.
When he got there , most of the time it was silent , except for sometimes cries.
Not today apparently.
Climbing Kyojuro’s window , he tried not to put water everywhere.
He always came around with a cloth, some bandages (clean of course) , some ointment , and a basin, just in case.
When did he start bringing those ?
Don’t ask him because he still doesn’t know.
And strangely , that was something that came almost instinctively , he doesn’t remember his past , but his body does apparently.
Setting the basin down , he changed the cloth on the injured flame Pilar’s head , also changed the bandages , and this time , he made him drink a bit of water.
He really was tempted to make him drink some of his blood , not enough to make him a demon , but enough to make sure he survives and heals.
But he SO wanted Kyojuro to be a demon. He was alone , and didn’t have any friends among demons , he hated everyone , it was that simple. And this guy , this person with a fire in his heart , flame hair , and eyes full of life and passion , he wanted him by his side for the rest of eternity. (Even if he heard the lava Pilar saying that he’ll die in a year or something like that).
He was lost in his thoughts.
Sometimes , when he visits , he would go out and peak around , watching people living in there.
He learned that they were three living in the estate , that the women of the family died years ago , and that Kyojuro’s father is an alcoholic.
But apparently , he never , NEVER , heard how the head of the family talks about Kyojuro.
“THAT WOULD’VE NEVER HAPPENED IF HE WASN’T WEAK ! HE DIDN’T HAVE ANY TALENT , AND HE STILL HAVEN’T ANY ! HE SHOULD’VE NEVER BECAME A MEMBER OF THE DEMON SLAYER CORPSE IN THE FIRST PLACE !”
“STOP TALKING THAT WAY ABOUT KYOU-NII ! HE SAVED EVERYONE ! HE IS MUCH STRONGER THAN YOU’LL EVER BE!”
And he couldn’t really hear the third voice, too quiet.
But , that wasn’t his concern.
He said who was weak ? The girl said a certain “kyou-nii”. Who had a name commencing by “Kyou” ? Isn’t it Kyojuro ?
Realization hit him like one of his own punches.
DID HE JUST SAY THAT KYOJURO IS WEAK ?!
Now he is enraged.
Kyojuro is anything but WEAK.
His techniques are perfect , his position flawless , he’s stubborn , determined , strong and driven.
He was all of these , but certainly not weak.
Who this guy thinks he is exactly ?!
He heard a smack, a yelp, and a “thud”. But did he care ?
NO !
He just want to teach the BITCH that dared say that Kyojuro is weak a “little” lesson !
Without a second thought , he opened the shoji door , and went towards the source of noise.
“Quick question : who is the son of a bitch who said that Kyojuro was weak ?”
He was right behind the head of the family.
His battle spirit was strong , he must’ve been a former Hashira.
While the two kids... He’s sure he saw that girl once, perhaps from the fight , if he understood well , she’s the Lava Pilar’s Tsuguko. Her Battle spirit wasn’t very impressive , but it was still higher than some Hashira he fought , while the younger boy , even if he was a bit taller than the girl , had a weak battle spirit.
He hates weakling , but , between a powerful father who insults his kids and a weak kid who lives with it and is still alive , the weakest is the father.
The tall male turned around and tried to attack.
Apparently , he didn’t have enough time to register that he was face to face with an Upper Moon.
So , Akaza sent him flying to the wall.
The younger blond (they all look like copies in this family ! ) was getting agitated.
He was scared , he didn’t want anyone to die.
“Chichue!”
“Senjuro calm down , stay behind me !”
The boy was shaking.
But the girl stood without trembling , ready to defend and fight. Her posture wasn’t perfect like the Hashiras , but he had to say that he was slightly impressed that such a small being could be so fearless.
He sensed a slight shift in his side. Turning his head towards the source , he found out that the older man was back on his feet.
Impressive.
Almost.
“You said that Kyojuro was weak right ?”
“And you’re the demon that almost killed him. What are you going to do , kill us too ?”
As if !
“No , I just want to teach you a lesson. Kyojuro is anything but weak. When he fought , his techniques were completely mastered , his posture flawless , and he is the first one in a very , VERY long time that came so close to beheading me.”
Akaza was getting angry , very much so.
He took a step forward and quickly grabbed the man by his hair.
“While he was strong enough to survive , you wouldn’t. And between you , Kyojuro , and those kids , you are the weakest. And let me just say that weaklings repulse me. And I’d rather die by the sun than killing a weakling.”
He let go of the man.
“You are the weakest of the weakest.”
Then he knocked him out.
He turned towards the kids. During his little lesson , apparently, the girl had time to get her katana , or maybe the boy did , he doesn’t know.
But the small girl was standing still , katana unsheathed , and was glaring at him.
How cute !
“Do you really think you can go up against me ?”
He wasn’t being threatening , he was just amused.
“I don’t , but if you are here for a fight , then I’ll deliver !”
“I don’t hurt girls.”
That was true , he never land a hit on a girl ! Well.. Not directly... Bit in his defense it wasn’t even his intention !
The brunette puffed her cheeks.
“Then what is Miyu-nee-san?!”
He pressed a finger to her forehead.
“Hey ! In my defense , it wasn’t intentional, I never meant to break her leg ! It wasn’t even direct !”
“Hmph!”
She turned her head away...
“Don’t “humph” at me young girl !”
“Mana please don’t start a fight... Let’s just apologize” He heard the other kid whisper. If he remembers correctly , his name is Senjuro.
Akaza sighed , and proceeded to pet the girl’s head.
“You’re quite strong , I’ll give you that. Maybe we’ll fight each other someday.”
“I hope not !”
The demon could literally see the boy paling , like , sheet white.
He wasn’t even angry , he thought it was funny !
He softly smiled.
“In that case , you both , make sure Miyuki and Kyojuro both get well , ‘kay ? I would love to fight them again , maybe on a more friendlier therm if possible !”
He didn’t even heard the girl’s answer , he was already living by the front door , which was quite daring for a demon of he were to be honest.
Once outside , the only thing he could think was : “I’m doomed”.
Inside the estate , both teens just stood there ,before Mana fell down to the floor.
“Mana are you okay ?!”
“I WAS SO TERRIFIED !!”
“BECAUSE YOU WERE ?!”
Senjuro tried to keep calm. His father was knocked out.
“Mana , do you mind helping me carrying Chichue to his room ?”
But he soon figured out that she wasn’t listening.
“Mana ?”
“Did upper 3 came from Kyou-nii’s room ?”
The door to his room was opened.
Just a single glance between the both of them , and they were running to the Flame Pilar’s room.
And they were relieved to see him alive. But , they could also see a basin that wasn’t there before , the clean bandages , and a new cloth on his forehead.
“Did that demon...”
“I think he did Sen...”
“Should we...?”
“I’m sending a crow to Oyakata-Sama!”
And she ran out to her crow , sending a message to the head of the demon slayer corpse.
At least it would be a ‘fun’ story to tell , just later.