3rd POV. Inn, Swordsmith Village.

In order to understand how did Sora finally managed to unveil the last nightmare.......

It was during the time where he took a bath in the hot springs. As the relaxing effect of the hotspring on both mind and body.....

Sora took the chance to be more composed in uncovering the memories of his past.

Especially with the Kocho Sisters.

How did he use it?

It was was simple, he used Kotoamatsukami, by using the reflection of the water, unto himself.

Figuring out that if he erased his own memories.......or rather, sealed his memories in order to escape Madara's Tsukuyomi.

However, since Madara's Tsukuyomi was cast by an Uchiha who possesses the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan, breaking free from the Tsukuyomi is going to be difficult, even for an Uchiha.

Now that Sora got the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan, he eliminated the thought of "resisting" Madara's Tsukuyomi. He's not actually resisting it but rather, slowly gaining control of his mind.

After all, the nightmares that Madara used in torturing Sora via Tsukuyomi......it is still a part of Sora's memories, it is not only the key in unlocking his memories but also a key in breaking free from the nightmares.

As he pondered upon hearing the word love, he remembered that the Sharingan can be awakened when an Uchiha feels a certain degree of a specific emotions.

Also, Kagaya's advice that the nightmare must've been rooted upon an emotion that Sora has yet to regain.

Sora knew love. But to what certain extent?

He loves his mother, his elder brother, his adoptive family. That is the love that Sora knew.....

However, upon meeting Kanae, there was a subtle hints of a different emotion that was welling up inside of him.

Sora knew that Kanae is his childhood bestfriend. He cared a lot about her, helped her whenever she needed to......

But he never came to realize the feelings that is blooming forth because he last saw Kanae, during the incident for occurred for around 7 years.

That is how Sora finally regained all his memories of Kanae.

He first remembered their third reunion, when Sora visited the Butterfly Estate to help Tanijiro and his friends in their training. It went to a complete total mess because of what happened.

When Kanae accused Sora of killing her parents......

That is when Sora began to relieve......his darkest memory........

The night where he killed their parents........but that is not actually the whole truth.

Sora finally remembered the truth......

The truth that Tanjiro and Kagaya would find about Sora.....

The truth behind the awakening of Sora's Mangekyo Sharingan.

And now......

Sora is about to reveal his memories of Kanae, with Tanjiro and Mitsuri.

Mitsuri: Wait, Sora-san, you mean you have history with Kanae-san?

Tanjiro: I thought so too when nii-san escaped from the Butterfly Estate.

Sora: Mitsuri.......

Sora: Can I trust you upon this secret?

Mitsuri: Secret?

Tanjiro: Nii-san, are you sure? What if she—

Mitsuri: No! I will not just spill the secrets of my friends! Unless they have my permission to say it!

Sora: ........

Sora: ...........

Sora: Well then.......

Sora closed his eyes.......and first revealed his Sharingan to Mitsuri, which somehow scared her.

Mitsuri: W-What's the eyes!? Why did they suddenly went from blue to red!?

Sora: Calm down, this is a part of my secret.

Tanjiro: You see, nii-san came from an ancient clan.

Mitsuri: An ancient clan?

Sora: Do you know the Uchiha Clan?

Mitsuri: The Uchiha Clan........?

Mitsuri: Ancient clan..........?

Mitsuri: ........

Mitsuri: Hmmm.....

Mitsuri: I think I heard that.......

Sora: Probably from Oyakata-sama.

Mitsuri: Ah! That's it! But I first heard it when I was still training under Rengoku-san!

Tanjiro: Wha!?

Sora: Wait, you mean, you're Kyojuro's—

Tanjiro: You're Rengoku-san's Tsugoko!?

Mitsuri: Yep! I know Flame Breathing, but somehow, it wasn't really compatible with me.

Mitsuri: Since My reflexes are good, combined with my flexibility.....

Mitsuri: I created my own breathing style.

Sora: Breath of Love......huh......

Mitsuri: Correct. Rengoku-san told me that I possess a heart that loves the people, and the flame to protect them.

Sora: Well, I guess kinda makes sense. Love being derived from Flames......

Sora: Anyways, now that I knew you are Kyojuro's student......

Sora: I am more confident to relay this information to you.

Mitsuri: Don't worry, Sora-san! I'll help you, if I can......

Sora: All right.

Sora: Like I said earlier, I have history with the Kocho Sisters, in particular, Kanae.

Sora: You see, back when I was a child, I always preferred spending my time helping my mother, and playing with my brother.

Sora: One day however, when both nii-san and I are helping our mother on a job......

Sora: I went to find a shade because I can't stand the heat during that time.

Sora: I found a tree, sat under the shade, and stare at the clear blue sky.

Sora: Then, I met a girl with a long black hair, and with a gentle look on her face.

Sora: She noticed that I was sitting alone under the tree and she asked why am I staring at the sky.

Sora: I told her the reason that it is because the sky is beautiful and my mother used to look up in the sky.

Sora: The reason why I got my name, is because I inherited my mother's eyes.....

Mitsuri: Oh....

Sora deactivates his Sharingan to reveal his deep blue eyes.

Tanjiro: Nii-san's eyes are as blue as the sky......

Mitsuri: Hey, you're right. Now that I have a closer look, it is really beautiful. If Sora-san was a girl, I'm sure she'll be pretty!

Tanjiro: Kanroji-san, did you know that there are times when nii-san was mistaken for a girl?

Sora: Hey!

Kanroji: What!? Really!? I mean, I guess due to his hair length.....

Sora: Hey, don't bring my hair into this.

Sora: But still, thanks for lighting up the mood just a little.

Sora calmed down as he continued the story.

Sora: Back to the story.....

Sora: When I revealed the meaning behind my name.....I told her about my mother.

Sora: How my mother was beautiful, kind, strong, gentle.....

Sora: How she always worked hard for the my sake and nii-san......

Sora: That is the reason why I wanted to get a decent job and repay her for everything she did for us.

Sora: However, our short chitchat ended when nii-san called me.

Sora: I never got to know her name.

Sora: However.......when we returned......

Sora: My mother was talking to another woman.

Sora: I knew she could be our mother's customer.....

Sora: Until I was introduced to her, and in return.....

Sora: I got to know the name of the girl I met on that day.

Sora: That girl, is none other than Kanae.

Mitsuri: So, the incident that involved them......

Mitsuri: It was you, wasn't it?

Sora: .........

Sora: All right. Before I told you that tragedy.......

Sora: I spent a considerable amount of time with them.

Tanjiro: Really?

Sora: Hmmm......

Sora: Yes, this is probably a good story to tell.

Tanjiro and Mitsuri became curious. As for Nezuko, she's being hugged by Mitsuri.

Mitsuri: Ooh!

Tanjiro: This is the first time I heard a story from nii-san......about his past.

Sora: It was around a year before the Uchiha Clan Massacre.

Sora: I was staying at the Kocho Residence during that time because nii-san is away at work, while my mother is being helped my Kanae's mother to buy some medicinal flowers in the city.

Sora: It was one time......

Sora: During that snowy day........

Sora: Where I decided to show the Hinokami Kagura to Kanae and Shinobu for the first time.

Tanjiro: !?

Tanjiro: Wait, so when I asked Shinobu-san and Kanae-san about the Hinokami Kagura, they seemed too familiar with it......

Sora: It's because they saw it, through me.

-------------

Flashback. One year before the Uchiha Clan Massacre, Kocho Residence.

One snowy day, where people would be usually at their homes, warming up themselves in a fireplace.....

The snow is not really that harsh, just your ordinary snowfall.

On the backyard of the Kocho Residence, there is one boy, standing the in the middle of the snow, with the clearing on the ground.

This boy is none other than Uchiha Sora. Who is currently controlling his breathing as a training method that his elder brother, Sasuke told him to do.

Because learning that technique, is the key in mastering the Hinokami Kagura.

Sora: If you know how to breath properly.....

Sora: You'll be able to dance forever.

Sora: That is what nii-san told me......

Sora: That is what the Hinokami Kagura is......

Sora: A dance that is meant to be danced forever.

Sora found a severed branch and imagined it as the ritual sword that is used to perform the Hinokami Kagura.

Sora began to serenely perform the kagura, with little to no footstep noises.

By observing his brother over and over in performing the kagura, Sora is progressing quickly in mastering the Hinokami Kagura.

But his young body still forbids him to perform all twelve forms in order. Even with the proper breathing technique, his physical capabilities are still developing.

Sora: *pant* *pant*

Sora: I still can't perform the fifth form......

Sora: Still stuck up until the fourth form.

Sora paused for a while as he looks upon the gray colored sky, and the snow that is slowly falling.

Sora: I see, no wonder why nii-san loves the snow.

Sora: So this is what he was talking about.....

Sora: The world completely falls silent.....

Sora: It's nice.....

???: Sora-niichan, why are you standing there on the snow?

Sora pans his head to the left and saw Shinobu peeking.

Sora: Shinobu?

Sora: Oh, don't worry about me. The snow is just beautiful.

Shinobu: Really? But it's cold.....

Sora: A little bit.

However, Shinobu just stayed on the veranda, sat there and watched Sora who seems to be controlling his breathing.

Sora: I guess Shinobu wouldn't mind.

Faint mists comes out from Sora's mouth as he began the sequence of the Hinokami Kagura.

The more frequent he performed the kagura, the more his body gets used to it. After all, Sora can notice the mistakes on his steps and movements.

When he saw those flaws, he corrects them.

Meanwhile, Shinobu was just amazed by Sora's kagura.

Shinobu: A spirit........

Kanae eventually arrived to see where her sister went, just to find her watching Sora dancing a kagura.

Kanae: Oh, wait.....doesn't Sora get cold? It's cold outside!

Kanae tried to call Sora but Shinobu noticed her sister and stopped her.

Shinobu: Please, don't disturb the spirit, nee-san.

Kanae: Spirit? But that's—

Shinobu: Just take a look.....

Kanae followed Shinobu's gaze and observed Sora.

She was amazed by how Sora was able to dance so serenely and quietly in the middle of a cold snow.

Kanae: He really looks like a spirit. It's so beautiful......

Kanae: .......

A few seconds later, Sora felt the fatigue slowly taking over, and he felt it. Making the wise decision, he halted performing the Hinokami Kagura.

Sora: Phew.......

Sora: Somehow, I was now able to do up to the sixth form.....

Even with the cold climate, he felt sweating and he knew he got to return inside the house as quickly as possible.

Sora noticed the Kocho Sisters who are sitting on the veranda and watched him.

He slowly approached them and took a seat beside Kanae.

Kanae: What were you doing just now? What is that?

Sora: It's a kagura. I performed that dance and offered my prayers to the gods that my mother and my brother be safe on their work.

Shinobu: Oh.....

Kanae: Anyways, Sora, I'll fetch you some warm water.

Sora: Thanks.

Kanae left for a while, and then Shinobu asked the question.

Shinobu: Can you teach me how to dance like you?

Sora: Hmmm.....I don't know......

Sora: Nii-san told me that it is hard to master.

Sora: Also, you're still small. You won't be able to properly balance yourself.

Shinobu: Is it because of my height!? Is it because I'm small!?

Shinobu snatched the branch the Sora was holding.

Sora: Oi!

She rushed to the middle of the backyard.

Shinobu: I already watched you do it! So I'm sure I can do it!

Sora: Huh—what are you talking about? You can't you don't even practiced the first step!

Shinobu: It just went something like this—

However, the steps aren't even as close to the kagura that Sora performed......

Sora just watched Shinobu's futile attempts to imitate Sora's kagura. Kanae came back with water and saw what her sister is doing.

Kanae: Uh, Sora, what is she—

Sora: I told her she can't do it. But she's one stubborn girl.

Eventually, Shinobu got tired and went back.

Shinobu: How did you even dance like a spirit!?

Shinobu: It's not fair!

Sora: *sigh*

Sora: Shinobu, there are also things that I can't do.

Sora: Not to mention, you're still growing.

Sora: Maybe if you grow up a little, maybe nii-san and I can teach you the kagura.

Sora: But then.......

Sora taps Shinobu's forehead.

Sora: Maybe next time.

Shinobu: Okay......

With Shinobu's attempt to imitate Sora's dance, she eventually fell asleep, lying her head on Kanae's lap.

Kanae: Hehe. Look at Shinobu. Isn't she cute when she's sleeping?

Sora: Yeah. She looks frail, yet she's stubborn.

Kanae: Are you staying the night here?

Sora: I don't know. Nii-san said that he'll be back around two days.

Sora: Mother said that she'll be back tomorrow with Reiko-obasan.

Kanae: I see.

Kanae puts her haori on the sleeping Shinobu......

Kanae: *shivers*

Sora: .......

Sora hands over his haori to Kanae.

Kanae: Eh? But, won't you be the one getting cold?

Sora: It's fine.....

Kanae: .......

Kanae: No, it's not.

Sora: I only have one haori.

Kanae: We can share it.

Sora: Huh?

Kanae: Come on.

Sora gently removes his haori and he got an idea back then when Sasuke used his haori to cover both of them when they were suddenly caught up in the rain as they are on their way home.

As soon as Sora drapes his haori to Kanae, she suddenly lay her head on his shoulder.

Kanae: Warm.

Sora: Really?

Kanae: Mm. It's warm.

Sora: If that's what you say.

The scenery became quiet as the two quietly watched the snow.

Kanae: Sora.

Sora: Hm?

Kanae: I'm curious about your village. We haven't went there yet.

Kanae: I want to see what your village looks like.

Sora: Will Shinobu be with you?

Kanae: Of course.

Sora: But, the thing is, nii-san is mostly away due to his work.

Sora: Mother is busy to sell her flowers and doing flower arrangement for her customers.

Sora: So, our house is almost empty, that is the reason why I always stay here.

Kanae: Then, can I ask Misaki-obasan to let me visit the village?

Sora: Hmmmm..........

Sora: *pokes Kanae's forehead*

Sora: Maybe next time.

Kanae: *pouts*

Sora: Come on. Don't look at me like that. Your parents are busy and they need all the help that they can get here.

Kanae: I know. But I talked to my parents and they also wanted visit your village as well.

However, that never happened. Shortly after Misaki (Sora's mother) and Reiko (Kanae and Shinobu's mother) got home......

The snow got more intense and it will be difficult to travel. So, Misaki and Sora decided to stay with the Kocho's for three more days, to wait for the snowstorm to pass and for the snow to be cleared.

Three days after, Sasuke also visited the Kocho Residence as he figured that his mother and little brother would've stayed there.

When the snow got cleared, the Uchiha Family went home after they bid their farewells to the Kocho Family.

However, who would've thought that one year after that......

A terrible tragedy befell upon the Uchiha Clan.

---------------

Back to the present.

Sora finished his story.....

Mitsuri: Awww...

Mitsuri: To think that you have a close bond with the Kocho sisters back then......

Tanjiro: But nii-san......back then......

Tanjiro: When your home village was destroyed......

Tanjiro: If you can go and take refuge with the Kocho Family, why didn't you go there and ask for shelter?

Sora: Nii-san instructed me to find your family.

Sora: He must've thought that Muzan will be on my tail and if I go to their village, they will also face the same horrors that my clan and village went through that night.

Sora: He told me it was in the mountains, so he thought that I could easily evade demons there.

Sora: And so, that's what happened, before I was adopted to the Kamado Family.

Tanjiro: I see......

Mitsuri: But then, what did you do with the Kocho Sisters?

Sora went quiet......

Until tears began to flow from his eyes......

And it turned into the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan.

Sora: Kanroji-san, I think you've already heard about the criminal of the demon slayer corps.

Sora: One who broke the rules by killing a civilian?

Mitsuri: Yes......

Sora: The said criminal is me.

Mitsuri: !?

Tanjiro: So, it really was true!? Did you killed their parents—

Sora: I WAS FORCED TO!

Mitsuri: ......!?

Tanjiro: !?

Nezuko: Mm!?

That revelation caught them off guard.

Mitsuri: You were.....

Tanjiro: Forced to......? Meaning you didn't have a choice......?

Sora: No wonder why it became my worst nightmare.......

Sora: It's because......

Sora: I committed a sin.......

Sora: A sin that can never be forgiven.

Sora begins to break down in tears.

Sora: Back then, even before my memories were erased....

Sora: I always remember that night......

Sora: It's like a curse that reminds me that I'm going to hell.....

Sora: No, wait, wrong.....it's not like I'm going to hell.....

Sora: I am living in hell......

Sora: I-I......

Sora: My mother, brother, and home village, all taken away by Muzan.

Sora: Then my adoptive mother and Takeo, Hanako, Shigeru,