𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞

⊹₊┈ㆍ┈ㆍ┈ㆍ✿ㆍ┈ㆍ┈ㆍ┈₊⊹

＊*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚　　˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊

Passion. It's what drove most of us. Besides revenge, of course; though, no one should ever get caught up in their anger. It might be what put us all here in the first place. But it should not stay the driving force throughout one's journey.

My breathing doesn't fall in line with that. Unlike water, or mist, plants stay in the environment they were born in, if the climate changes, they die. There are only certain things that can adapt. The forms of Plant Breathing reflect that all too well.

Some are similar. Others can adapt to their surroundings. It made me upset that the breathing forms were inefficient. Something else I'd need to fix. One of many.

Learning to love a sword was hard. Harder than I had expected. It required so much, and for the longest time, I didn't believe myself worthy of staying as Kanroji's pupil. Still, here I was. Getting told I was strong.

So why didn't I believe it?

We had been following the path for a long while. So long that Hoshi gave up on his flying to rest on my shoulder. And the beast had woken up.

As everyone expected, he started to argue. Not with me. Mostly Agatsuma. Inosuke managed to get him into a headlock, demanding a battle, which he would not receive easily as Kamado was trying to pry his hands off the boy who was stuck.

Laughter couldn't help itself as it escaped. The arguing stopped for a second, followed by the red-haired slayers sigh of relief.

"Oh thank the gods! We were starting to think you were annoyed!"

"Not me! I didn't care!" Inosuke wanted to make himself clear.

"Annoyed?" I powered through my amused voice, "Why ever would I be annoyed?"

Agatsuma chimed, "You've got this irritated sound, masked by sweetness. It's not at me though, is it, Miss L/n?" He batted his eyelashes innocently.

My eyes had to squint to prevent an eye-roll, "It's not you, any of you, don't worry."

"See! I told you!"

"Oh shut it."

"I still don't care."

They were so carefree. It was odd. Something had to have put them here, and that something wasn't pretty. Meeting demons was never smooth, the training to pass Mount. Fujikasane wasn't either.

These boys had clearly been through their individual callings. Yet, they were so happy. So optimistic. Being able to fight like siblings.

Maybe in another life, under different circumstances, they would've been brothers.

"You all seem quite cheery." I chimed through their bickering. "How are your injuries?"

All answers I received were predictable.

"You care about me, Miss L/n?! I'm doing just fine!"

"Nothing I can't handle."

"Injuries? The mighty Inosuke never gets puny injuries!"

We had reached the top of a hill and were blessed with a sight that made all the walking worth it. The sun was melting the sky, red and gold swirled like a masterpiece. Though the artist was shy. Hiding behind the mountains before it gave its job over to the moon.

This sunset reminded me of the fire used to warm the tea in the Butterfly Mansion. It made me miss Kocho and the peace of recovery. Most of all it made me miss Rengoku, the flame pillar.

Like I said, I've never had a sibling before. Kanroji became an older sister, despite blood relation, when she found me. Rengoku was her mentor before she became a pillar. He changed my views on wielding a blade and inspired me the way he did her. He became my big brother.

While he changed my views on strength, Kanroji changed mine on compassion. I was set on revenge, to find whoever decided it was okay to take my parents away from me at such a young age. Yet, she had told me to keep my heart kind. To not let it be tainted by my anger.

I still do not know if that applied to the demons we fought.

The flame pillar taught me to love the art of sword fighting. I was able to carry him with me wherever I went. My gear liked to remind me who exactly was cheering me on. Kanroji's old guard piece was used for my blade, and my haori was given to me by Rengoku.

They were two of my biggest supporters.

Rengoku used to say something, a sentence that will forever remain stuck in my mind from how many times I've heard it. The swordsman who excels in strength does not last as long as the swordsman who excels in wit. Strength is not all it takes. 

That's proven clear when you meet Kocho. The insect pillar. She's amazing. If I was around more often, she'd definitely be considered family as well. I owe some of my techniques to her.

Kanroji is pure talent. Rengoku says someday she might surpass him and that he sees the same for me too. I cannot wait for the day I might be a pillar. It would change everything.

"Close!! We are close!" Hoshi cawed, gliding down and finding some wildflowers to mess with. It simply reminded me of Teruko.

It also reminded me of home. Back at the Love Mansion, where Kanroji and I stay, I am obviously the one who takes care of the garden. She gifted it to me when I moved in. It's blooming beautifully now.

All I worry about is her touching the plants. Somehow, every time, she manages to kill them. At least a couple of flowers are dead when I come back because she wants to admire them. Not that I get angry at her, it's honestly hilarious.

"Good observation, bird brain." I rolled my eyes as the giant Wisteria Tree marked where we needed to go.

Back-to-back missions were never fun. They leave you exhausted and simply wanting a rest spot. That's what the Wisteria Crest Mansions were for. Meant to house demon slayers as the families who owned the havens were people saved by us. To repay the debt, they'd recognize the uniform worn by any swordsman and let them stay without exception.

The mission I had been on before this was exhausting. I had to wait out so many nights just for the demon to even show himself. He was annoyingly slippery and talkative.

There weren't words to describe how my body needed rest. As well as that stinging on my back. A demon who is strong is one thing, a demon who catches me off guard is another.

I wasn't expecting such a flashy attack. There are one too many skills I need to polish up on.

Just before we were about to knock on the door to finally earn some well-deserved treatment, as well as rest. Inosuke decided he grew too hungry.

The first thing he saw was Hoshi.

It took us half an hour to get him to stop trying to chase my crow.

"Inosuke if you eat my bird, I will have your head on a stick! Give him back!"

A crazed laugh escaped his boar head. "Dinner! You are going to be good dinner! This is my crow!"

Kamado had tried to tackle him, Agatsuma as well. They stumbled a bit before falling into the nearby creek.

We were all in shock for a moment, Hoshi managing to flee before a burst of laughter came out of all of us. It was genuine. Seeing a fish flop on top of Inosuke's head, Agatsuma and Kamado soaking wet. This would be a core memory. I wish I could've photographed it.

Just maybe, in another life, we were all siblings.

One big family that I didn't get in this one.

Just maybe.

The boys hauled their drenched bodies out of the creek, but of course, not before trying to pull me in with them. I could've easily stood as still as a boulder, but I didn't. A water fight broke out and we appeared at the steps of the mansion shivering in the cold.

A sweet elderly woman tended to us. She gave us nightwear, beds, and a real dinner that wasn't Hoshi.

Though, Agastuma got scared of how fast she was moving. Honestly, I was too. No offense to her but she does look much too old to be that quick.

"SHE'S A MONSTER!!" he cried out

"It's the middle of the night, be quiet!!" My words were whispered with harshness as I hit the top of his head, to which he immediately started boohooing once more.

Coming to the Wisteria Mansions had to be the best part of missions, besides ridding the world of another demon. In restaurants, there is a limited amount of food. That gets proven over and over again when Kanroji and I run one empty.

I never enjoyed getting looked down on because of how much I eat. Who would? When joining the Demon Slayer Corps it was the first time I had felt equality. Female slayers were not put down for their skill. That's seen when both Kanroji and Kocho are pillars.

The elderly woman gladly gave me serving after serving. Once the boys realized just how much I could chow down, they tried to compete. Inosuke obviously initiated it. Agatsuma was the first to tap out, then surprisingly Inosuke, and it just left Kamado and me.

It was only the tenth plate. A smug smirk couldn't be helped as he shakily picked up his chopsticks to grab another piece of tempura. His hands were over his stomach trying not to hurl the amount of food he'd eaten.

"Just give up, I'm not even close to being full." The teasing couldn't be helped either.

He reluctantly named me the winner. Afterward, I finished more servings than anyone could count. The bowls piled up behind me, it seemed endless. It was until I was decently filled. That wasn't even counting for dessert.

It was more than safe to say the boys were astounded.

I looked up to meet their stares, for the first time in a while, I felt embarrassed. "Apologies. Training under my mentor has me eating as much as a handful of sumo wrestlers."

An apology wasn't necessary. But I found myself caring about how they see me.

"Are you kidding? It's incredible! I wanna get strong and eat as much as you!" Tanjiro encouraged.

Zenitsu agreed, although with pure flattery of course, "Such a cute quality you have, Miss L/n!"

Then Inosuke scoffed, "You beat me by luck."

Their words brought another grin to my face. My heart felt as full as my stomach. I only just now realized that their opinions mattered to me. In such little time too. If it were anyone else, I wouldn't have apologized, just told them to shove off.

But this was them, Zenitsu Agatsuma, Tanjiro Kamado, and Inosuke. Which, I still haven't figured out his last name.

"Please," I shifted a moment. "Call me Y/n. We are close, are we not?"

Dinner had ended with Inosuke trying to provoke Tanjiro into another fight. Which, obviously failed. The red-haired swordsman was too kind to even fight back. Of course, unless it had to do with that odd box.

There still wasn't a demon I was sensing. It was starting to puzzle me.

"I'LL TAKE THIS ONE!!" One of the four beds were occupied now. Inosuke jumped onto the one he wanted without consideration.

"That's alright Inosuke, take whichever you want! Y/n, which one do you want?" Tanjiro peered past Zenitsu to look at me.

"Hm, I'll take—" My words were caught off by the boar chucking a pillow at the thunder-breather.

Right, at dinner we learned much about each other. Zenitsu trained under a former pillar, and so did Tanjiro. I'm not so sure where Inosuke came from, but, he was somehow here. He used beast-breathing which, does not exist, and isn't a derivative of the main breathing techniques.

It was impressive.

What wasn't impressive was when a doctor came to check up on the four of us. All with broken ribs of various amounts. Did I break a rib? I couldn't believe it. Though, the boys did have worse injuries.

We all got patched up. The wrapping felt like a corset. It fell out of fashion a while ago, but still, it hurt. Way to keep Kocho's effort alive, Y/n.

I ended up taking the bed farthest to the left, Inosuke on the opposite end, while Tanjiro and Zenitsu made up the middle. There was still this odd atmosphere I couldn't seem to ignore.

A sigh escaped me, I rolled over, about to open my mouth to ask. Zenitsu beat me to it.

"Hey, Tanjiro. I can hear the sound of a demon inside that box. I didn't want to ask, but, why are you towing it around?"

I sat myself up in anticipation. Maybe my senses hadn't all made a return, that's why I couldn't seem to notice a demon's presence. Of course, Tanjiro was a demon slayer, there was no way he'd be carrying around a demon.

Once again, I was proven wrong.

A gentle smile was on his lips, "So you knew it was a demon and still protected it, Zenitsu?"

My ears had to have deceived me. There was no way. The thunder breather was backing up into my space as Tanjiro opened the box. He started to wail, clinging onto me, my eyes stared hard as the box was fully opened.

I didn't blame Zenitsu for running to the closet and trying to shut himself in. Nor did I blame myself for reaching for my sword as something crawled out. A pale demon.

The first thing I noticed were those pink eyes. For a spawn of the demon king, they were soft-looking. She didn't stare with malice, or the intent to harm. She stared as if I were family. Then I came back to reality at the sight of a bamboo muzzle on her mouth.

Tanjiro said, "It's my sister Nezuko!"

The she-demon who had crawled out grew in size. Her hair longer and clothes more fitting. That's when my sword unsheathed with a sharp sound, the scabbard flew across the room. I wouldn't have hesitated to decapitate her, but something was stopping me.

"You're actually towing around a demon?" I opted to speak instead, to question Tanjiro. Give him the slightest chance to convince me this was okay.

Maybe I was biased. Yes, I was biased. Tanjiro Kamado was one of those pure spirits you couldn't get sick of no matter how hard you tried. I believe I had my answer to Kanroji's view of compassion.

As Tanjiro would, he stood between my blade and the demon he named as Nezuko. His hands outstretched, his eyes firm and ready to die for it. I couldn't understand. Her low growling only made my body go into fight or flight, and demon slayers never ran away.

"She's more than a demon!" He tried, "Nezuko is different. She doesn't harm humans, she hasn't eaten a human at all. And that will stay as is! Y/n, you have to give her a chance."

"Give a demon a chance? You cannot ask this! Hurting another swordsman is one thing, towing around a demon isn't even in the rules! That's how much we expect this not to happen!"

"She's my little sister." What a card to play. "I joined to try and find a cure for her."

I felt my face soften at that. Tanjiro was a big brother. I tried to imagine what would happen if I had turned into one of the demons. What Kanroji would do, what Rengoku would do. What would my parents have done?

The grip around the hilt of my sword loosened.

"She doesn't eat humans. Nezuko is still the sweetest girl ever."

To prove his point, he trusted me as well as his little sister, and let her approach me. My shoulders tensed, I wanted to swing my sword, but I felt an invisible hand on mine preventing it. For once, I listened to my gut.

A clinking sound rang as the Nichirin blade was let go. I felt a small hand on top of my head, almost in a soothing manner.

The sound of flesh. I didn't need to hear it to know what hers would sound like. Maybe that was the mystery. Those demons that had those sweet sounds were more pure than others. I don't think I'd be able to hold my blood lust as a demon. She was strong.

"Ah sorry, Nezuko sees humans as family.." Tanjiro nervously laughed

It would have been embarrassing to start crying. All I did was smile at her. What a revolution she'd cause. Such mayhem in a day. I felt this was going to turn into something bigger. This little family would evolve into some of the greatest swordsmen.

Nezuko returned to her brother, and I was content with what I had seen.

"You do understand that this is going to be an almost impossible goal?" I tried to understand his thinking.

Zenitsu came out of the closet.

"As impossible as it is, I will not stop trying. Nezuko is different."

"Very well. You have my vouch, Tanjiro."

That brought a smile to his face.

Which, also reflected on me. "Goodnight, boys. And Nezuko."

I was returned with the same, and a hum from the she-demon.

⊹₊┈ㆍ┈ㆍ┈ㆍ✿ㆍ┈ㆍ┈ㆍ┈₊⊹

I had to rewrite this like ten times because I kept accidentally refreshing the page. Someone sedate me.

word count 2860

edited 11/12/24