u/Vergil_Raptor

It had been three months since the encounter with the lower moons. Kosuke had her birthday around 2 months ago. Bushizawa never said when his birthday was, he didn’t care. Regardless tonight the pair were sent out on a mission, a new type of one. The corps had started recognizing members that work too hard and forcing them to go on missions that were just short vacations. Bushizawa and Kosuke were two of those members, so the corps sent them camping.

They had set up a small camp site near a hill clearing and made makeshift beds. But the entire time something was wrong, the air was tense, the forest, quiet, and Bushizawa, much more detached than normal.

“H-hey Zawa… I’m here you know,”

Kosuke didn’t ask what was wrong, she had a feeling she knew already. But her voice, it wasn’t that same arrogant pitch as usual. It was softer, more vulnerable but also open. Before she could speak again he responded barely audibly

“I know.“

Thats all he said. He didn’t even scold her for the nickname per usual. Even he got up and grabbed his gun, Kosuke knew he was going to see if he could hunt something. So she stayed by the fire and kept it going. But after some time passed the rain started, not heavy, but almost somberly, and slowly. The scent of the moisture and charcoal from the fire being extinguished filled the air.

Kosuke just stood up and started walking away from the site as the soft rain pattered around her. Eventually after what felt like ages of just wandering for no reason she found him. sitting on a fallen tree just looking at the sky through those ebony sunglasses he knew too well. Kosuke didn’t yet speak as she sat down beside him softly with a grace that betrayed her usual brashness.

“I’m sorr-“

Bushizawa tried to speak but before he could even finish he was cut off,

“No you’re not. Because you have nothing to be sorry for. What happened that night? It’s not on you. Nothings on you.

He just listened to her tender words as she continued to speak to him as the rain got a little heavier but neither seemed to mind,

“Listed Zawa, I could never say everything’s alright… but you’re not alone,”

He didn’t respond just yet. Just took off his sunglasses placing them in his pocket. He finally met her golden eyes with his own, one still violet, the other, white from blindness.

“I… *he paused as if to think* Neither are you… remember that.”

She just smiled softly and pulled him closer with one arm. Slowly as he relaxed into the embrace she looked back to the sky as she realized the moon’s position,

“Happy birthday you idiot”

She had remembered.

It has been 15 years since Muzan was felled by the demon slayer corps. Yet some weaker demons remained alive, and grew more powerful and bloodlusted. And with the corps disbanded there was almost no one capable of taking out the remainder of the demons. Most people believed they would die on their own. But Tanjiro Kamado, who was the last Demon Slayer had died already years prior from the burden of the Slayer Mark.

The night was young and the sound of rapid footsteps resounded through the forest as the demon chased its prey vigorously,

”Oh kiddo! You know you can’t outrun me! *Mutters to self* oh well it’s just more enjoyable for me this way.”

The boy being chased never flinched or responded in any way. Just kept up his stride. Through the occasional moonlight spreading through the canopy the Demon could see more details of the boy, he had hair of platinum-blonde hue and was wearing grey baggy Gi pants, and an unlatched Sage green jacket. though most of him was hidden in the shadows.

Suddenly the boy turned around to dash into trees and the demon lost him. Thats when he realized, he had no clue where he was at all.

“Ha! You think you can hide from me, kid? I’ll just sniff ya out! I’ll smell your fear,”

But alas, there was no fear in the air not the slightest bit of it. But right when he realized that the demon felt a warm breath on his ear and soft spoken, almost indifferent words,

“I aint hiding from no one”

The demon, in a panic whipped around in a panic attempting to backhand the boy but the kid just backstepped it calmly. It was now when the demon saw the on his back hips the boy had two blades in their saya, until he gtabbed them both in reverse grip and drew them. he held the blades out in a crossing pattern in front of him as he took a low stance. As soon as the demon saw the boy’s slate grey eyes, he knew, he messed up.

“Y-You! You’re-“

The demon was cut off immediately, verbally and physically by the boy,

“Judgment.”

I am happy to announce that I have officially began work on the Manga for this Arc! I’ll estimate the manga for chapter one should be out in around 2 weeks from now. BUT this will not take away from me writing chapters and putting them up on here. I will be absent for a but in a few days but I’ll be back swiftly and with a bang! so without further ado

Chapter 4: Hearts Ablaze

*BANG*

The sound rang out as Bushizawa dashed around from cover to cover taking what shots he could at the demon, trying to pry its attention away from Kosuke, who was fighting a demon as well.

”this is bad, it was meant to be just a recon op. But now there’s not just one, but two damn lower moons. Just breathe, think, what do I do?”

Bushizawa’s thoughts were racing as lower moon four was rapidly gaining on him. However he vanished then reappeared right in front of him,

“You’re a fast little shit arentcha? Technique Deployment: World Of Shadow!“

The demon’s eyes went entirely black and his hair flared up as he jabbed at Bushizawa’s face with an open palm. Bushizawa managed to back step it but just then the demon spoke once more,

”Blood Demon Art: Dark Piercer!”

a fast spike of shadow erupted from the demon’s palm piercing Bushizawa’s left eye. He reeled in pain, dropping his gun, as he slid backwards regaining his footing. there was no time for pain…

”You’re still alive! Ha! you’re funner than I thought-“

The demon advanced with each strike of his technique hitting a second time with a delayed slash of darkness. Bushizawa knew at this rate he would die, but then who would help Kosuke? They were struggling with the demon they were facing as well. If he died, then Kosuke would too. He couldn’t let that happen. As the demon got faster and more aggressive Bushizawa‘s movements got more precise and better at parrying, his eye were closed and he was thinking back to a memory, of his guardian and adoptive brother Giyu Tomioka.

”Bushizawa, watch. Notice how this hot head is attacking blindly and flaring”

Giyu spoke while Parrying Sanemi effortlessly

“SHUT UP TOMIOKA! YOU’RE DEAD!”

Sanemi relied by lunging with his Bokken but Giyu just stepped back, straightened his shoulders, and moved his blade into a low position

”Water Breathing 11th form:”

Bushizawa’s eyes shot open as he quietly said

“Dead Calm”

With a blank mind and focused demeanor the demon was failing to land a single hit on him now as everything was being deflected, but he bounced back before cocking his hand back while yelling

“BLOOD DEMON ART: DARKNESS BLENDER!!”

A massive flurry of the shadow slashes tore apart the area as Bushizawa tried his best to deflect and block them with the form of his brother. But soon enough his stance was broken as a few stray slashes wounded his right knee,

”Dammit, still imperfect”

Bushizawa thought to himself. But before he could move the Demon switched targets and went in for a sneak attack on Kosuke who was still fighting the other lower moon, he tried to move but he failed. The knee wound brought him to the ground as all he could do was yell,

”KOSUKE!”

Time seemed to slow as the Demon was about to land a strike on Kosuke that if they went to block the other demon would get them. The only thing that tied Bushizawa back to reality was a certain voice calling out firmly,

”Flame Breathing, 1st form:“

In a flash of orange and yellow Lower Moon 4’s head went flying

”Unknowing fire”

The man, Kyojuro Rengoku finished speaking before immediately severing the tendrils of lower moon 5 which was attempting to restrain Kosuke.

”I thought I sent you two on a recon op. Not a suicide run”

Kyojuro spoke before using the second form of Flame Breath to finish lower moon 5 in a flash.

”Aside from the obvious are you two alright?”

He continued, Bushizawa was still in a phase of disbelief and relief. Too much so to reply, so it was Kosuke who responded first,

”I-I’m mostly fine the freaky thing dislocated my right arm though- I couldn’t use my shield but Zawa! he’s in much worse condition!”

They said already trying to run over to him but Kyojuro beat them to it as he lifted Bushizawa up to his feet,

“Bushizawa, can you speak?”

”Yeah, my… my eye is… and my knee, other than that, I-I’m fine”

he winced in pain now as the adrenaline wore off,

”Kosuke can you walk?”

Kyojuro turned his attention to them for a brief moment before being met with a nod,

”Good I need to carry him to Butterfly Mansion immediately. Mr Uzui was right behind me in the Village go find him and brief him. He can fix your arm then help you back to the estate.”

Once again Kosuke nodded as they turned away. A few weeks later they had both recovered from the attack however… Bushizawa’s left eye would be permanently blinded.

Today Bushizawa was tending to the garden per Shinobu’s orders when Hagane yelled that breakfast was ready, hearing this he immediately rushed to the dinning room

“Morning ‘gane”

He said softly while taking his seat,

”Told you not to call me that Bushizawa. Wait where’s Kosuke?”

Hagane responded in an exhausted but still friendly tone,

”Oh he’s still asleep.”

Hagane just looked puzzled,

”Why are you referring to her as a man?”

Bushizawa just froze and Hagane shrugged as he sat breakfast in front of him. Soon after the other started to pour into the dinning room as Kosuke, seeing the stunned look on his face decided to go mess with him,

”Whats the matter with you? Ya look like you just remembered something tragic.”

Bushizawa just blinked slowly, he was realizing now. Kosuke just took her seat by him and spoke again while ruffling his hair,

”So you’re half blind, hard of hearing, can’t smell for shit, AND now mute eh? Eh that’s the Zawa I know anyway.”

Her teasing words seemed to snap him kind of back into reality as he began eating the eggs Hagane had prepared, slowly.

About a month had passed since Kosuke‘s arrival; and they had moved into the Butterfly Manor. Only issue is that there was no spare room so they had to stay in Bushizawa’s room with him. Today was a routine day of the week, per usual Giyu burned lunch. Hagane was still trying to keep the chaos of the other teens and kids in the Mansion in check. And as for Bushizawa and Kosuke? They were them. But today while tending to the yard per Shinobu’s orders, Tengen Uzui approached,

”Ah Bushizawa and Kosuke! just the flashy little pair I was looking for!“

The sound hashira spoke pointing his painted fingernails directly at them, boasting his uh, exotic personality.

“Oh good afternoon Master Tengen! … did you change your headband again? You did, you added another stone.”

”Jewel Kosuke, another Jewel. But quite perceptive…”

Tengen corrected Kosuke’s observation before continuing,

”The festival of the true moon is about to take place today and tomorrow and I’m taking you two with me. Lady Shinobu always has you two working, whats better than a festival with the god of festivals to lighten up a bit!?”

At his mention of the festival a look of polite concern shot across Kosuke’s face as they closed their eye and tried to decline,

”O-oh, that sounds lovely. But I don’t really want to go to a uh… f-festival,”

Seizing the rare opportunity Bushizawa immediately popped off to embarrass Kosuke,

”Really? Just earlier you were talking about how boring and uneventful it’s been lately. Whats wrong afraid of going to a festival with me?”

Kosuke choked on their spit with a faint bit of redness on their face. Bushizawa hadn’t seen but Tengen took note and joined in on the chaos

”Uneventful?! OH WE’RE CHANGING THAT KOSUKE! Or what is it? Was Bushizawa onto somethin-“

He was immediately cut off by them,

”N-NO! Not at all. Zawa hasn’t been onto something for a long time, he’s too dull to reali-“

“Okay then if I wasn’t onto something come on then,”

They were interrupted now by Bushizawa literally picking them up over his shoulder earning a look of grudging respect from Tengen who was surprised to see such strength from someone as small as Bushizawa. Strangely Kosuke just huffed before mot putting up any fight and just letting themselves be carried. While he didn’t say it aloud Tengen took careful note about this. usually it was Bushizawa that was stubborn and almost tsundere-esc. What was it with Kosuke being like that now specially about the festival?

Eventually they arrive and check into a hotel with Tengen, he gave them their own room and himself one of his own (and one for his mice just because he could).

They then went into the festival at dusk,

”Okay you two, have fun, and if you don’t have any proof you did something extravagant your asses are grass. I’m going to go off on my own. Meet back here at midnight. Got it?”

Bushizawa nodded but Kosuke seemed distant and distracted.

“Kosuke, *Tengen lowered down to match their height with an unusually gentle voice.* just calm down and enjoy yourself. You ain’t alone here.”

With that the Sound hashira strutted on off and his words seemed to work for the most part. After a while of just goofing around playing games, and eating new foods Kosuke was back to their arrogant and loud self though still a little on edge.

After about an hour the pair found a small bench to just chill on while they ate their noodles they had just ordered.

“Zawa… thank you. For dragging me here I mean.”

Kosuke muttered barely audible. Bushizawa was going to tease to get back at them but he decided against it. and simply just nodded. after a while of peaceful silence the tension in Kosuke seemed gone at last when suddenly they spoke softly,

”The moon is beautiful tonight, isn’t it?”

”Isn’t it always.”

Bushizawa’s response came almost immediately as if no thinking was necessary. The Festival wasn’t so bad afterall…