Chapter Text
"Close those doors now!" a man screamed as several guards blocked the door. "crap how long do we have? "
"I don't-" the guard was interrupted when something flew by, slashing his throat.
"What, how did?" Several more guards fell to the ground, as rose petals scattered around the room, and the man backed up in fear, as a woman in a skin-tight black suit, the only visible part of her body being her emotionless purple eyes, backed up, throwing objects at the girl, who merely stepped aside
"Wait, please," the man begged. "I'll give you anything, please don't." he was stopped when the woman crossed the room in a flash, slashing his head off with a clean cut, cleaning the blood from her blade. She said nothing as she walked away, disappearing just as mysteriously as she appeared.
"Kanao," a familiar voice called out, breaking through the haze of her memories. She turned slowly, her thoughts reluctantly shifting from the past to the present. Standing behind her was her adoptive mother, Akari Kochou. Akira's face remained as impassive as ever, a mask of calm that betrayed nothing of the emotions that lay beneath. The weight of her gaze held Kanao captive for a moment longer before Akira spoke again, her tone even and unwavering. "Your father has summoned you."
"Of course, mother," Kanao whispered as she followed. Walking through the near-empty house with its perfectly cleaned walls, any aides who saw them froze, giving a quick bow as they got out of the way, as her mother said, "Is there another assignment?"
"No," her mother said, "it's another matter; your father will explain."
As they reached the main room, sliding the door open, her adoptive father, Renji Kochou, was perfectly still, his body not moving at all as she and Akari sat in front of him. "Father," Kanao greeted
"The time has come, Kanao; you have come of age," Renji started. "As you know, our assassins' guild has survived for over one hundred generations. We need a Kochou heir, and as the only remaining daughter of our family, this task falls to you."
"I understand, Father," Kanao said, no reaction evident on her face. This was her duty as the youngest and sole remaining Kochou daughter; she wouldn't be like her sisters, who let their emotions cloud their judgment.
Emotions were worthless
Emotions were a distraction
Emotion leads to getting hurt
She was a Kochou
Kochou's don't love
Kochou's don't feel
Kochou's survive
Kochou's follow orders
When they marry, it's not for love or any of that pathetic nonsense
They marry so that their bloodline continues
They marry to ensure that they remain
Kanao prided herself on one thing: that nothing mattered to her
She never cried
Not even when both her sisters died
She never laughed
Never
She never smiled
Her face was expressionless.
She was completely emotionless; she had her purpose, and that was to kill, to continue the bloodline. To follow orders and survive.
"I will do what I must," Kanao said
"Great," Renji said with a smile. "Muzan will be glad to hear it."
For years, her parents had been obsessed with pursuing a marriage alliance with the demon king Muzan, ever since the day Kanae was born. To create a demon hybrid. but their ambitions to fullfill this desire had been fraught with challenges, particularly marked by the tragic deaths of both of her sisters, which had thwarted. Yet now, after years of perseverance, it seemed that their dream might finally be within reach. As she pondered the future, she couldn't help but wonder, "Which of his sons will I be marrying? Will it be Douma?"
"No," Renji said, "Douma is still mourning your sisters; however, Muzan stated that he has an offer for us. he will tell us when he is ready for the engagement process to begin."
"Of course," Kanao said
The demon king Muzan was an anomaly; no one knew whether he was human, demon, or some mixture of both. All that was known was that he was extremely powerful and demanded loyalty from everyone.
After years of backhanded deals and using their services, Muzan had relented to allowing one of his 'sons', as he called them, to marry and create a human/demon hybrid for the Kochou clan.
"A child like that would allow us to persist"
"A child like that may live for at least a thousand years"
Of course, there was the rumored way of becoming a demon, but that meant direct loyalty to Muzan, and the Kochou's were loyal only to themselves despite being one of their most frequent clients. Even people under Muzan's watch have been put on their hit list.
Muzan was surprisingly merciful about it as long as he never caught them
"Perhaps we should have Kanao do a show of power." Akira smiled, pulling Kanao out of her thoughts. "Have her go after the Kimetsu Guild."
"The Kimetsu Guild," Renji asked.
The Kimetsu Guild was an esteemed organization composed of valiant individuals committed to combating threats posed by bandit clans, demons, and Muzan. They were many things: heroes, public defenders, and demon slayers. Because of their own morally ambiguous assassination missions, the Kochou clan would often encounter these warriors.
This dedicated group, formed from a diverse array of backgrounds and abilities, was celebrated throughout the country for its unwavering resolve and feats of heroism. Be it slaying demons, stopping bandit clans from growing too powerful, or even preventing their own assassination attempts, the Kimetsu guild was a source of hope and strength for the entire country.
Among them, the most formidable members were known as the Hashira. These elite warriors had attained a level of power and mastery over their abilities that was unparalleled, making them a force to be reckoned with in any battle.
Their skill, honed through years of rigorous training and battle experience, set them apart from their peers, and few could hope to match their prowess.
The Hashira not only stood as defenders of peace but also served as mentors to younger guild members, passing on their knowledge and instilling a strong sense of honor and duty. While many members of the Kimetsu guild were strong, the Hashira were a different strength entirely; the only thing known to be able to kill them was one of Muzan's upper-rank demons.
"Yes, what was that Hashira that has been giving Muzan so much trouble lately?" Akira asked
"You want Kanao to target the Sun Hashira?" Renji asked, shocked at the suggestion.
"Yes, nearly all of Muzan's Kizuki who have gone after him have been killed," Akira said. "he's even killed many of our apprentices, but he is nowhere near the level of strength our Kanao," Akira said. "A perfect offering would be showing off his head."
"A bold maneuver," Renji said, "but to kill a Hashira and show it to Muzan would prove our dedication."
"The Kimetsu guild is getting bolder," Akira explained. "Muzan has been a good ally over the years; if his organization is wiped out, we lose our largest client."
"Kanao," Renji said
"I can handle it, Father," Kanao said. "I will kill the Sun Hashira."
"A bold claim, daughter," Renji smiled. "Good, I will put the hit out. Of course, prove to us your strength, prove to us you are worthy to be a Kochou, by killing the Sun Hashira."
"I will not fail you, Father," Kanao said. "I will depart at once. I will find and kill the Sun Hashira of the Kimetsu guild I will kill."
"Tanjiro-kun," a bubbly voice called as a girl ran up to her friend who was sitting at the bar with his two friends and fellow Hashira, Zenitsu Agatsuma and Inosuke Hashibira, who smiled as the girl ran up to them, her pink and green hair practically bouncing as she smiled at them
"Mitsuri-san," Tanjiro smiled, "you're back from your mission."
"Yep," Mitsuri beamed as she slid into a seat, "nothing too hard for the love Hashira. How was yours?"
"It was horrible." Zenitsu slammed his face into the table
"Wasn't that bad." Inosuke laughed. "We got to face a horde of demons," he laughed, "we even saved a princess."
"A princess"
"Some noble's daughter," Tanjiro said, "apparently, he refused to pay Muzan's protection fee, so he sent demons to eat his children."
"So tell me why we had to go and find where those bastards were based and destroy the entire place," Zenitsu groaned, "and to top it all off, this idiot," he pointed towards Tanjiro, "completely rejected her. "
"No, I didn't," Tanjiro said
"Yes, you did," Zentisu shouted. "She asked you, and I quote, if you could 'stand guard' in her bedroom." Mitsuri looked shocked as Tanjiro got embarrassed
"We were on the job," Tanjiro defended
"What job? " We won," Zentisu shouted. "How is it, no matter how hard I try, I can never seem to get a girl's attention, but you have the emotional bandwidth of a tree, and girls seem to throw themselves at you? "
"Girls don't do that," Inosuke laughed, "they would lose to the great Inosuke."
"Shut up, pig brain," Zenitsu shouted.
"So, Tanjiro, was she cute?" Mitsuri said, fully engaging big-sister mode, as Tanjiro let out a defeated sigh, knowing where this conversation was headed now that Mitsuri was here and love had been mentioned. It's been this way ever since Giyu got married, the usual.
"Oh, that girl's cute."
"Were you flirting"
"She seems nice"
"I have this friend"
"Were you talking to a girl?"
While he understood that Mitsuri meant well, it could get a little old, especially when he was on the job and trying to focus on making sure everyone was okay.
"I mean she was," Tanjiro admitted as he took a sip from his drink, "polite and kind to"
"Then you should talk to her," Mitsuri laughed.
"I don't have time for that kind of thing," Tanjiro said. "I need to take care of Nezuko."
"dude Nezuko is practically cared for at this point," Zenitsu laughed. "Hell, I give it another two years before she's a Hashira like the rest of us. Are you just worried about starting a relationship?"
"Or maybe you just haven't found the right person," Mitsuri said, smiling. "You know, the person that makes your heart go all woo."
"Please, let's not do this right now," Tanjiro pleaded, though it fell on deaf ears as his friends continued.
"Come on, man," Zenitsu said with a smile, "we just want you to find a nice girl and settle down."
"I have no plans on settling down," Tanjiro sighed
"Didn't Half and Half say the same thing before he met the butterfly lady?" Inosuke said
"Oh yeah." Mitsuri laughed, "Giyu was all 'I'll never find love, I'm going to be in this job until the day I die,' then he met Shinobu, and now look at him, a father of two."
Tanjiro said nothing, thinking of his mentor and older-brother figure, who, in fact, had said the same words: "That was completely different." Tanjiro sighed; getting Giyu and Shinobu was a complicated affair of blood, sweat, tears, twists, turns, betrayals, and murder. Thankfully, both were happy now.
"No, it isn't," a voice called as Tengen Uzui, another Hashira, appeared in front of them. "You know how many dates I set that fool up on. "
"Not you to, Uzui," Tanjiro sighed, slamming his face into the table
"Look, bad enough Sanemi is dying alone, we don't need you to either," Tengen said. Tanjiro gave a defeated sigh. How had the conversation gotten to this point
"Oh, maybe we should try setting Tanjiro up with someone," Mitsuri smiled. "What do you say?"
"Can I say no?" Tanjiro asked
"Nope," Mitsuri said with a smile. "As the love Hashira, it's my responsibility to make sure you find love."
"How about we let love bloom?" Tanjiro asked hopefully to get out of this conversation
"You'll be an old man with grey hair by the time that happens," Mitsuri shouted. "We lucked out with Tomioka. I'm not risking you."
Tanjiro sighed, knowing full well that Mitsuri would not relent until he gave up and agreed to go on one of her date ventures, in which he would be introduced to numerous people at once.
Moments like this made him wish he had listened to Giyu and built up a recluse reputation; then again, no one would have bought that anyway.
He could almost hear Shinobu laughing at those attempts, "Fine, but can it wait at least till the job boards have cleared up?"
"Okay," Mitsuri smiled, "I promise you won't regret this. "
"I'll take your word for it," Tanjiro laughed.
With that, the group turned to lighter topics, such as recent missions, payments, the differences in the swords they use, and Inosuke talking about the time he fought a mountain bear.
"And I don't know if you heard," Tengen started, his voice getting serious, "but the Kochou clan made another move the other night."
"What?" Tanjiro asked
"Yeah, a noble from the east was killed," Tengen sighed. "No forced entry, nothing, and as per usual, nothing connecting them to the crime." Tengen sighed. "Even though we know the Kochou family is behind it, they are still hard to track or even find." Tengen sighed, "The leaders are always on the move,
"I thought we took out a large number of their assassins last year," Zentisu asked. "It seemed like every mission we would come across some; we even took out that training camp."
"You kids did," Tengen said, "but as long as the head of the family lives, they'll keep doing what they're doing; you're cutting off arms; what we need to cut off is the head."
"They have to have a base of operations," Tanjiro said, "maybe in a territory that doesn't recognize the guild."
"Maybe," Tengen said as he looked away, "the reason I ask this is that I wanted to know if Shinobu"
"No, she really doesn't like to talk about it," Tanjiro replied hastily, his eyes reflecting a mixture of concern and determination. The infamous Kochou Assassins Guild was not just any group; it was one of the deadliest and most elusive organizations in the country. Operating with a level of precision that seemed almost supernatural, whispers of their existence often felt more like folklore than reality, leaving many to question if they were just a figment of imagination.
Members of the guild were like shadows, constantly shifting from one place to another, never allowing themselves to be pinned down for too long.
This constant movement was part of their strategy, ensuring they remained one step ahead of those who sought to eliminate them. Among their roster of clients, the most prominent client was their main adversary, Muzan Kibutsuji.
Despite the expertise of Shinobu, a former member of the clan, who often provided the guild with invaluable intel on hideouts and potential ambush points, the guild's efforts to dismantle the Kochou Assassins Guild proved fruitless. Each attempt at infiltration or confrontation felt more like a game of cat and mouse, with the guild always managing to evade capture, slipping through their fingers like smoke.
"It's been a long time, and it brings back painful memories for her," Tanjiro admitted
"I understand," Tengen said, smiling. Trust me, I do."
"So what are we going to do?" Mitsuri asked
"Nothing much we can do," Tengen leaned back as he looked to Zenitsu, "Oyakata-sama wants you and me to keep an ear out, though. "
"I'll do my best," Zenitsu said
"Let me at them; the king of the mountains will take all the jerks down," Inosuke shouted.
Hours later, when Tanjiro returned to his room at the guild, for once, he wasn't tired from a long day of work. In fact, he was more tired from the afternoon that was meant to be relaxing, but instead turned into a reflection on his lack of a love life. He sighed; it was only a matter of time if he was being honest. Zenitus had recently gotten together with his sister; Giyu had been married five years ago, and even Inosuke seemed to be spending more time with Aoi, the friendly healer of the guild, so it was only natural that his friends would turn to him and ask why he wasn't in a relationship.
Not that he wasn't looking; he just had no idea what he was looking for in a partner. He remembered what Giyu had told him the moment he fell in love with Shinobu: it was like finding a piece of himself that had been missing. Maybe that's what it was
He was strong
A sun-breather, which was incredibly rare, kind to a fault, and always looking out for others- how could he commit himself to one person when he felt that he belonged to the world? Not to mention the lives he had to save from Muzan and others. And the promise he made to himself and his family
A promise to kill Muzan Kibutsuji
Or maybe he was just being stubborn, or maybe, like Giyu, he hasn't met anyone who would want him to do something crazy. Someone to make his heart go all 'woo,' as Mitsuri would put it; then again, not like he has tried to go out and meet people. He's normally on the job, and starting a relationship is the furthest thing from his mind.
"Or maybe I'm just being picky"
"Message, message," a voice cried, waking Tanjiro up from his slumber, his mind foggy as he sat up. "You have a summons from the master," a crow called as Tanjiro looked around. "Get up now, bird brain."
"I'm getting up, I'm getting up," Tanjiro shouted as he sat up in his bed. "Stop shouting at me," he screamed as the crow circled him before stopping to stare him in the eyes.
"You're going too slow," the crow cried as it slammed its head, making Tanjiro jump up in pain.
"I'm going," Tanjiro shouted as the crow landed on his head. "Let me wake up, okay?" he threw off his covers, quickly grabbing something to eat and putting on his clothes, yes, in that order, as the crow shouted at him to hurry up and not keep the master waiting.
Tanjiro sighed as he left the Water Estate. He'd been living here since he first joined the Kimetsu Guild; he'd never forget when Giyu first brought him here, offering him and his little sister a place to stay. Of course, years later it would also become the home of Shinobu Tomioka after she married Giyu.
Tanjiro quickly began his climb up Mount Fujikasane, home to the Kimetsu Guild and the Ubuyashiki mansion perched atop the mountain, which serves not only as a symbol of strength but also as a vital gathering place for the guild. Within its grand halls, the members convene to discuss missions, the ever-present threats posed by demons, and strategies, as the Hashira unite in their commitment to protect.
At the mountain's base lies the vibrant Slayers Village, one of the largest and most bustling towns in the country, where many dedicated guild members have established their homes.
Reaching the master's chamber, he saw a woman of average height and pale skin complexion in contrast with her red lips. She possessed large, plum-purple eyes (with pink eyeshadow) and short eyebrows, traits seen in her children. She wore her white hair down and swept to both the left and right at the front and in a short ponytail in the back, with two strands of hair loose at the side of her head. A salmon-colored kimono with an ombre to orange at the top, with flower patterns, and a dark-indigo haori with numerous blue butterfly patterns. She also wore a brown-and-white striped obi with a paler shade of the same striped obiage supporting it. She was Lady Amane, the wife of the current guild master.
"Lady Amane," Tanjiro greeted, "the master summoned me. "
Amane smiled as she opened the door. "Please come in, Tanjiro," she said, as Tanjiro followed her into the room, where a man of frail build, average stature, and very pale complexion sat. He had shoulder-length black hair that was parted in the middle. Due to what was called a curse, he looked as if he were rotting alive, with large portions of his skin appearing with a sickly, shriveled pink hue that began from the left side of his forehead and gradually spread across his body. Additionally, the curse caused him to go blind by affecting his eyes, turning his sclera from white to black. He primarily wore a black yukata with a white undershirt, tied with a woven brown obi. Atop this, he wore a white kimono with a flame-like pattern appearing from the bottom and colored with a blend of light-purple and orange. He wore a pair of plain white socks and brown-strapped sandals. His name was Kagaya Ubuyashiki, the current guild master of the Kimetsu Yaiba guild.
It often reminded him of his father, and yet the master always had such strength, always stood proud, and did his best to care for the entire guild, which he affectionately called his children.
"Oyakata-sama," Tanjiro said as he bent to one knee, "you summoned me. "
"Tanjiro, my child," Kagaya gave a warm smile, "how are you? "
"I'm well, and you?" Tanjiro asked
"I've been better, my child," Kagaya said as he sat up straight. "I have a mission for you today; it was a personal request"
"A personal request," Tanjiro asked. Those were rare and even rarer for a Hashira; "Have more demons appeared in the forest?"
"No," Kagaya smiled, "it would appear an extremely powerful demon has appeared far west of here. According to the message, it was in the Natagumo region."
"Is it an upper rank?" Tanjiro asked
"No, and while I had the crows go and scout ahead, there's nothing to report on what could have sent this request," Kagaya said
"So it could be a trap," Tanjiro said
"Yes, but on the chance it isn't."
"I understand, Master," Tanjiro said, "I'll head out immediately, and if I discover anything, I'll send for backup through the Kasigai crow."
"There's always a chance it's the Kochou clan hoping to take advantage of your kind nature," Kagaya said. "So be careful, Tanjiro."
"I will," Tanjiro said
"You're heading out by yourself," someone asked. He was Muichiro Tokito, a fellow Hashira, and considered Tanjiro to be his older brother. "I should go with you. What if it's an upper rank?"
"It's only a scouting mission," Tanjiro said as he tied his sword to his scabbard. "I'll just be gone for a couple of days."
"You sure you don't want us to come with you?" Zenitsu asked, "I mean, I can grab my gear."
"No, I want you to help Tengen with the Kochou assassins." Tanjiro smiled at his friend. "You two have the best ears here, so it's better you stay focused on that." He turned, getting ready to leave. "I'll send for backup if it's serious."
"Alright," Muichiro said, smiling. "Please be careful, Tanjiro."
Tanjiro embarked on a journey expected to take him at least four days on foot, navigating dense forests and rugged hills. With the sun rising overhead, he made a prudent decision to catch a carriage that would be making its way through the area, drastically reducing his travel time to just about half a day. As he settled into the carriage, he felt a sense of relief washing over him, knowing that he would reach his destination much sooner.
Throughout the ride, Tanjiro eagerly lent a hand with the various tasks that arose, whether it was helping the carriage driver with the reins or ensuring that supplies were securely stowed. He stayed alert, keeping pace with the rhythmic clatter of the wheels against the terrain while appreciating the camaraderie of fellow travelers.
As the landscape rolled by, a mix of lush greenery, towering mountains, and flowing rivers captivated his attention. Tanjiro couldn't resist the urge to pull out his sketchbook and capture the vivid scenes around him. Each pencil stroke conveyed his appreciation for the beauty of nature, and he envisioned sharing these drawings with his siblings upon his return home. The thought of seeing their smiles and recounting his adventures filled him with warmth and excitement, making the journey all the more exhilarating.
"Are you sure this is fine, Tanjiro?" the carriage driver asked as Tanjiro got off. "We can get a little closer if you like."
"No, that's fine," Tanjiro smiled as he took out some money, "here for your service."
"I know better than to argue with you," the man laughed as he took the money. "Please be careful," he said with a smile as Tanjiro started to walk away, giving a small wave.
It had been several long years since he had ventured near the ominous expanse of the Natagumo region— not since he and Giyu had confronted Rui and the spider family that had claimed this land as their own. The spider family had made a gruesome habit of capturing unsuspecting humans, either to force them into their nightmarish semblance of a family or to devour them whole. This grotesque cycle of terror had inevitably drawn the attention of the Kimetsu Guild, leading to the deployment of Tanjiro, Giyu, Zenitsu, and Inosuke on a dangerous mission to eradicate the demons prowling the region.
Now, as Tanjiro stood amidst the remnants of that violent past, the area felt hauntingly desolate. The air was thick with the suffocating remnants of memory, heavy with spider silk clinging to the trees like a ghostly veil.
Traces of dried blood glistened under the meager sunlight that managed to filter through the dense canopy overhead, as if the very ground wept for those who had fallen here. The lingering scent of death hung ominously in the atmosphere, a harsh reminder of the lives lost and the horrors endured, as Tanjiro cautiously navigated through the tangled underbrush of the forest.
"I wonder who sent the request," he murmured to himself, glancing around with a mixture of unease and determination. "Same old abandoned house, same creepy buildings." His voice barely pierced the oppressive silence that enveloped him, a quiet echo amidst shadows long untouched by light.
Each step was deliberate, as he steeled himself against the echoes of the past and the potential dangers ahead, aware that every rustle and whisper in the wind could signal the lurking presence of nightmares yet to be confronted. He looked at the cloudy sky. "It's going to rain soon. Hopefully I can see what's going on around her. e"
"What's that smell?" Tanjiro whispered. "Running water," he whispered. "Didn't Rui build a dam here?" He followed the scent of water, seeing a large river blocked off by an equally large dam that seemed to be holding itself together. Just over it was a large cliff that seemed to lead to another large body of water, but where it went was anyone's guess.
"I should-" Tanjiro stopped as he gripped his sword, grabbing something that was going to hit his neck, careful not to touch the tip. "So trap it is." The air seemed to go stale; he could have sworn he smelled the scent of wisteria, a smell he only felt when- Tanjiro's thought process was interrupted when he blocked a blade that was aimed for his face. "I know you're here," Tanjiro called, but was met with silence.
"Very well," Tanjiro took in a deep breath, "total concentration constant." Tanjiro took a large swing, creating a large gust of wind, making the trees around him shoot as the water bounced from the ground, as someone jumped through the attack, landing in front of him
"So, want to tell me who you are? "
The mysterious figure turned slowly, and Tanjiro was met with the chilling sight of soulless purple eyes that seemed to pierce through the very essence of his being.
To his utter astonishment, this individual emitted a nearly nonexistent scent, a stark contrast to the overwhelming smells he had grown accustomed to in the heat of battle.
"Are you a part of the Kochou clan?" Tanjiro asked, his voice steady despite the tension in the air.
The figure's grip tightened around the hilt of their sword, and in one swift motion, they drew it, releasing a fine, shimmering powder directly into Tanjiro's eyes.
Caught off guard, he staggered backward, wincing at the sting while instinctively defending himself. Just as he regained his footing, the shadowy figure lunged forward with lethal intent.
"Damn it!" Tanjiro cursed under his breath, frustration bubbling within him. "You'd think I'd be able to dodge that by now."
As he fought to clear his vision, he relied on his instincts to evade the relentless assault. The world around him spun, but his focus remained sharp.
In a desperate act, Tanjiro reached out, his fingers gripping the fabric of the attacker's hood. With a swift tug, he yanked it off, revealing Kanao, her face still as blank as ever. Not betraying the faintest hint of any fury or concern, shock or amusement, her face was calm, lifeless.
Tanjiro wasn't afraid to admit that it scared him a bit
To meet someone so
Lifeless
While members of the Kochou clan he had met weren't known for their personalities, this one was different. It was as if every human aspect of her had been stripped away, and all that was left was a hollow shell of what had once been a person.
"Look, I don't want to hurt you," Tanjiro said, "but if you don't stand down, I will be forced to defend myself."
Kanao said nothing, rushing Tanjiro again as he dodged her attack 'that blade is coated in poison; I can tell by the scent. She's fast. Tanjiro kept dodging as he came to a stop. He raised his sword, blocking it with a single strike as they locked eyes.
"You're good," Tanjiro whispered. "I'll say again, stand down," Kanao said, attempting to slash at his neck as Tanjiro jumped near the dam, with Kanao following him close behind, throwing knives at him that Tanjiro managed to block
"She's good," Tanjiro whispered as she rushed at him again. Tanjiro swung his sword, and she vanished into a field of flowers. The smell was overwhelming as Tanjiro jumped away, barely managing to dodge the next few attacks. "That scent."
Kanao landed across from him, pulling out a second blade, her face portraying no emotion; it didn't even look like she was getting tired. Tanjiro raised his sword as they clashed again. The sounds of their blades meeting echoed through the forest as Tanjiro remained on the defensive, being sure to avoid the poison blades.
' She has to be planning something else,' Tanjiro thought to himself,' this can't be all that she has planned'
Tanjiro backed up. 'I should take her alive,' he thought to himself. 'There's a chance that she could have information on the Kochou clan's movements,' he thought as he jumped onto the old, rickety dam that felt like it was about to break. Kanao jumped up there after him.
"You know, normally my opponents are far chattier," Tanjiro laughed. Kanao said nothing as she walked up to him, her face as expressionless as ever, so much so that it was starting to scare Tanjiro as he raised his blade, not knowing how to take this assassin down.
They ran at each other again, their blades bouncing off each other as Kanao attacked with two blades and Tanjiro defended himself. For a brief moment, he saw the faintest appearance of irritation.
As if this was taking longer than it should have
Was she not used to long fights
Of course, Tanjiro had trained himself for drawn-out fights, and his breathing style was designed to last for at least twelve hours, but she was an assassin; maybe she just wasn't used to a fight lasting longer than it should have
If she was targeting him, she had to know that he was a Hashira, but she was probably relying on the poison in her blade.
She could have had traps and plenty of other things set up around, but she relied on her ability to end fights quickly.
That was his in,
All he had to do was outlast her
"All right then," Tanjiro said silently, missing Zenitsu and Inosuke. At least they would have filled the silence with some commentary about what was going on; then again, with as fast as this assassin was, there was a chance she would have gotten them with her first attack.
Kanao growled as she looked at the dam that both were standing on. She looked at Tanjiro.
"Wait, what are you-" Tanjiro stopped when Kanao raised her sword, much to Tanjiro's horror. She wouldn't, would she? Tanjiro moved before he could stop himself. 'Wait, stop,' Tanjiro shouted as the girl slammed her sword into the wood. Tanjiro attempted to break her blade, but she vanished. "damn it."
Kanao sprang into action, bouncing nimbly on the crumbling surface of the dam. With precision, she slashed at several vulnerable spots, causing water to surge and pool ominously around her. As the dam began to falter under the pressure, she landed gracefully in front of Tanjiro, her eyes wide with urgency. Without hesitation, she grabbed him tightly, just as the dam finally gave way with a thunderous roar.
A massive torrent of water erupted forth, cascading down the mountainside and sweeping everything in its path. In an instant, they were caught in the powerful rush and found themselves teetering over the edge of the cliff.
Tanjiro instinctively braced himself for impact, and they plunged into the waters below, crashing in with a resounding
splash
To be continued