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If there was something Muichiro was unfortunately sure of..
It’s that his brother..Yuichiro wasn’t fond of him.
At least..not anymore,
The two were always close, as twins were expected to be. But that was when their parents were alive.
Now..they are gone. Muichiro remembered well how he clutched his mothers hand while she struggled to cling to life before losing her battle. Yuichiro helped care for her while trying to persuade his father not to leave scrambling between the two actions. However, their father always was two things. Kind hearted and stubborn leading him to make the track to save his wifes life.
They lost both parents that night. Their father fell off a cliff while trying to cure their mother the same night she passed.
It was tragic and everytime it recalled in his memories, it made his chest ache. The house they had felt way more quiet..it was just the two of them. Muichiro and Yuichiro.
Yuichiro changed after the incident. Once a cheerful and kind boy like Muichiro, became jaded and rude. No longer was the boy Muichiro used to carefree play by the lake with and have late night conversations with him as their parents insisted they get to sleep as they had wood cutting to do the next day.
Now his brother looked down at him like he was nothing. Literally.
“The Mu in Muichiro stands for nothing. Meaningless”
Yuichiro would say with a huff as Muichiro would lag behind him. The first few times, he was shocked to hear this as his brother, while sarcastic, was not this rude to him beforehand. Now however, he was used to it though that didnt mean that it didn’t sting.
A part of Muichiro even believed Yui’s words. Yuichiro was always the stronger and more talented one of the two with nearly everything. Especially with wood cutting, what they were known for.Compared to him..maybe Muichiro was meaningless like his namesake.
This became nearly routine, however times like the seasons, appeared to be changing. He wasn’t sure how she found them, but a beautiful white haired woman named Amane clad in a kimono with striking purple eyes came to meet them. What she said stuck a flame in Muichiro he hadn’t felt since his parents were around.
“We have come here to tell you both something very important. It appears you two are descendants of a very powerful demon slayer meaning you both would have great potential as one to defeat demons and save many lives.”
Yamane went on to tell them both about demons. Creatures that appeared during the night devouring humans to grow stronger. She explained how the demon slayers worked hard to save lives by killing these demons and eventually finding and killing Muzan Kibusuji, the king of demons.
The existence of demons was nerve wracking in a way, but the idea of becoming a demon slayer and saving human lives!? That demon slaying was in their blood and they have the potential to become powerful slayers. It excited him even if Amane left for the day.
What he missed though, was the scowl present on Yuichiro’s face. With each word spoken, the more angry he became. Even after the woman left, he was still grumpy and angry about what she had to say.
Not that Muichiro noticed as he smiled excitedly as he watched his brother cook.
“Did you hear that, Yuichiro?! We can be powerful swordsmen! We can save lives by becoming demon slayers!! We should-”
Muichiro was cut off by a loud slam as Yuichiro pounded his fist against the cutting board. Yuuchiro glared daggers into his little brother making him freeze with shock. Even with how rude Yuichiro had become, he had never looked at him like this.
“Are you insane!? You cant even cook rice or lift heavy wood and you think you can be a demon slayer to save people?! Just like how dad died on a pointless pursuit to save our already dead mother even though I begged him not to go?! You won’t be able to save anyone!”
Muichiro felt like his heart was split in half as tears dropped from his eyes from shock and sadness at his siblings harsh words. Without another word, he walked away oblivious to the tears falling down Yuichiro’s cheeks as well.
They stopped talking after that..completely.
—-----------
As the weeks went by, Amane occasionally tred to come back again only to be shooed away by Yuichiro.
Otherwise, they now did their work in silence not even giving each other a passing glance. Muichiro hated this still air between them..however he saw no point in making things right. And neither did Yuichiro if his silence was any indication.
Which led to today, or rather tonight. It was summer and humid, enough to be a bother while sleeping so the door would be left open.
That night, Muichiro found himself tossing and turning, for whatever reason his sleep was rough. A thought passed through his brain to have some water to assist in sleeping, so he got up careful to not awaken Yuichiro as he took a sip of water.
A shiver suddenly went through Muichiro’s body as he turned. Coming into the house was a grotesque figure. Clearly not a human..
A Demon!
Muichiro didn’t register the demons words just feeling his body freeze with terror. He barely even registered what was happening next as the demon prepared to slash him.
“Muichiro!!” his name broke him out of his trance as Yuichiro ran in front of him..taking the slash meant for Muichiro which sliced his arm clean off.
Yuichiro screamed in agony making Muichiro scream as he took his brother away from the demon, but there was no where to hide as they were effectively trapped in the house with this demon..
He was trembling as he wondered why his brother protected him like that..the demon just kept talking and talking..reading to kill him. Muichiro hardly cared anymore as anger rose through him. It was such a intense anger he didnt even realize the manic and angered scream was coming from him as he lunged at the demon grabbing everything he had access to to use as a weapon.
Eventually the fight broke far away from the house leaving Yuichiro alone as their vision went hazy from the bloodlost falling on his chest.
“B-..budda..” The name felt odd on his tongue as he had never spoken of the gods beleiving they never protected him. However, now on what he presumed to be his deathbed, he would pray. “Please..p-protect him..he..he is a good kid..”
“If you should..punish anyone..punish..m-me..”
—--------
As Muichiro manically took down the demon in front of him in any way he had available while was left oblivious to other matters.
Someone was watching him.
A samurai..clod in purple kimono..a sword made of his flesh at his side. Most noticeably.,was the six eyes on his face. Two of which read, ‘upper one’.
Kokushibo silently watched the boy go after a demon, the demon not even being able to protect itself by the boys anger. It was rather impressive for a human child. Of course, Kokushibo could have handled this in not even a second, though he saw no reason to. If this demon was weak enough to be bested by a mere child, than perhaps he deserved this fate.
However, that wasn’t the only sign of life Kokushibo felt. He felt one more..a weaker one..someone was on the verge of death.
Perhaps curiosity could still get the better of him.
He walked into the small house and he heard silently praying. Once he looked down he saw the source. A boy that looked just like the one attacking the demon..they were twins. He was bleeding heavily..his whole arm was sliced off.
That wasnt the only thing that stuck out about the boy..hewas able to see it. These two were his descendants..how ironic..twins.
As his descendants..these two must have great potential. Both as slayers..and as demons.
The child in front of him was a easy target..without him he would surely perish. However, what a waste that would be. He would have much more use as a demon for Muzan.
The child seemed to be unaware of his presence just mumbling more prayers which slowly grew weaker alongwith his heartbeat as he passed out. Staring down at him, Kokushibo sliced into his arm letting his blood fall into the boys wounds.
“You..my decendent..shall not die here. Allow my lord to use you as a demon. Do not fail me.”
Now it all depended on if Muzan would accept the child. With that Kokushibo left taking a look at the sky. The sun would be rising soon and the other boy was still fighting. Kokushibo felt tempted to turn him to a demon as well, but time was running out.
So rather he walked off…if he was lucky who knows..maybe he would see his human descendant if he survived again. And if Muzan accepted his other descendant as a demon..he looked rather forward to encountering him.
—----------
The demon’s head was disappearing as the warmth of the sun arose.
Muichiro was covered in blood..the demons or his? Most likely both, but he didnt care as he stares at the demon blankly. He felt himself on the verge of collapse..but he had to go back to the house..see if Yuichiro was okay..
Of course..that was wishful thinking. He stumbled in only to see his brothers body surely dead on the floor from bloodlost.
Tears escaped his eyes as he rushed using whatever strength he had to take his brothers hand before passing out. Though one final thought escaped him.
‘His brother’s hand..it was still warm..’
—-----------------
He must have slept all day as it was dark when his eyes awoke. He felt he surely should be dead..though he was feeling pressure on his hand.
It was being gripped tightly by his brother..but that made no sense..with his arm being torn off..he should have died from the bloodloss! How did he..
“Y-Yui..” he mumbled wondering if he would get a response. He did as a small growl escaped his brother..perhaps one of pain though alive as hisbhand gripped his tighter making a spark of hope flicker through Muichiro. Maybe they would survive this..!
In fact..Yuichiro appeared ot be getting up which shocked Muichiro as he wondered how possibility they could do that still. Before they could ask..he was met with another shock.
He saw Yuichiros arm get blown off with his own eyes! So how..how was it back like nothin happened!?
Muichiro struggled to get up..exhaustion hitting..but he had to know.
“Yuichiro..how did..-”
Muichiro froze as his eyes met Yuichiros. Yuichiros once matching blue eyes now were pale with cat like slits, and that wasnt all. His nails were now sharp blue like claws and he was snarling at him with fangs.
Muichiro couldnt say a word as Yuichiro practically pounced on him madly..simular to how Muichiro attacked that demon. But this was different..was practically animalistic!
Muichiro quickly grabbed an axe he used before in a rush to protect himself as he stopped his brother whos fangs were now trapped in his axe. Though it did nothing to stop his struggling..one wrong move and Muichiro would surely be torn into..
Muichiros eyes were wide as he struggled to keep his grip and protect himself..his eyes stared at Yuichiro looking more animal than human as he growled madly! It looked like…was his brother now a demon..?
Muichiro’s eyes once more smelled with tears..how and why did this happene!? How did Yuichiro become a demon!? It was just one attack!! He thought maybe the other would live in spite of him..
Yuichiros growling grew more manic and Muichiro gasps as the other appeared to grow stronger..
Muichiros sobs increased as he slammed his wyes shut prepared to be killed by his brother..his brother the one that went from his best friend..to almost strangers. The brother he assumed hated him now.
He just wished he could apologize..for everything.
Muichiros eyes soon widen feeling something on his cheek and the pressure dissipate. His eyes opened as he gasped softly.
Yuichiro has tears slipping of his cheeks with his eyes glossy. His older brother..even as a demon was crying..
Muichiro stared at his sibling as more tears flowed. Yuichiro removed his mouth from the axe seemingly stopping his attack. Despite that growls still immersed showing his hunger as a demon..but..he wasn’t attacking.
It clicked for Muichiro. His brother never disliked him..he wanted to protect him..he just didn’t want him in danger and getting killed. Now..he was a demon who wasn’t going to devour him despite his demonic instincts.
Muichiro wrapped his arms around him twin in tears. Perhaps it was a bad idea..logically at least. His brother was a newly turned demon..he had to be starving. However, he no longer wanted to attack. Yuichiro wraps his arms tightly around his brother..his care for him allowing him to control himself.
This lasted so long..Muichiro knew his brother would hate this choice..but he was gonna be a demon slayer in the end. This time, he wanted to protect his older twin and turn him back to human.
Despite his demonic instincts, Yuichiro would push those aside. It was his duty as older brother to protect his little brother. No matter what.